Benchwork Paint Color

There is no formal Free-mo standard and participants in NJ Free-mo can use any paint color they want for legs and benchwork. But if you want to match what I used on my Woodstown Jct. modules, here is the info:

Paint from Lowe's

Olympic "Submarine" chip D64-5, this is part of the Green color selection

Lowe's link to sample

Module Storage

I thought I would share a couple of photos about how I store my modules when I am not using or working on them. My layout was pretty much designed and all benchwork was built before I learned about and started down the Free-mo path. The layout is not changing, and I am not able to incorporate my modules into the layout. Which is OK because part of doing the modules was to allow me to model a time period after my layout which is set in 1980. So things you would see circa 1996 to 2005 are on the modules and would not be easily integrated into my layout.

So I needed a place to store them safely within the confines of the layout room. I built a set of brackets under the layout and use plastic sheeting to keep dust and debris from above the layout.

The smaller module sits to the side and the legs go underneath. They are safe here and still allow me to work on the layout above with no problems.

These have been in storage since the last Timonium show, but they should be up in the garage in September to get ready for the NJ Division Meet in Delanco, as they will be on site at the Meet location. And then they will also be on the road to travel to the Timonium Maryland show October 29-30, 2011.

Legs for Calais Module

With the frame and top pieces completed for each unit, I moved on to building the legs. I have been looking at different options for the legs and finally settled on leg units built from wood, much like the RMC article describes. After looking over the lumber selection available locally, I decided to go with clear pine 1 x 2 material for the legs. The quality of the wood is pretty high so I feel this will work well. I started the legs by building L-girders, glued and screwed. Next I added a small piece of 1 x 2 for the bottom where the T-nut will be installed, making a "solid" end that is 2 x 3. After some test measuring to determine the needed length, I cut the legs to 47.5 inches long. I drilled out the hole for the leveling bolts and inserted the T-nut and bolts.


I built leg pockets using 1 x 2 pieces and a rectangular section of plywood (see photo). Because the ends are not 90 degrees, I set the leg pockets in a couple of inches from the ends. Using the legs as a guide, I glued the 1 x 2's in place using the assigned leg as a guide (I labeled each leg so it would go to a specific pocket). After the plywood was attached, the leg fit was tight, so I sanded the leg ends some to make them slide in easier.

I inserted the legs and stood the module up. The module will rest on a cross piece connecting the 2 legs on each end, so I set that in place, measuring to get the end around 49.5" off the floor (the roadbed and track make up the remaining half inch). Doing this, I set the 2.5" bolt to about halfway in so I would have an inch adjustment either way, up or down. I glued and screwed the cross piece to the legs, and then added another cross piece at the bottom to stabilize the lower portion of the legs. I tested pulling out and inserting the leg to make sure it aligned OK. A little extra sanding on the legs into the pockets helps. I repeated the process for the other end.

The single module unit is suprisingly stable with no bolts to hold the legs in and no diagonal braces. I do think I will add a diagonal stabilizer to each leg unit to keep it from twisting or bending. As far as a diagonal piece connecting the leg to the module side, I am going to wait until I get the whole module assembled and see how it works. I can pobably make a piece that can be installed with carriage bolts so I have it available if needed.

So, the module A is complete and I am on to module B. Should go faster now that I figured out the process. Here is a look at the completed module A unit.

Mike's Calais Module Set

I have started construction on a set of Free-mo modules based on the track plan in Calais, ME, on the Maine Central, circa 1980. This will be a 2 module set to contain the yard, passing track, enginehouse, freight depot and other industry. These are not rectangular modules. Module 1 is 21" at each end and 53" on one side and 58" on the other side. Module 2 is 21" at one end and 24" at the other end, with sides measuring 58" and 59". This gives the modules a slight curve. I will need to build a transition piece for the 21" end to come back out to the Free-mo standard 24" end plate.

In this first photo I am test fitting the track onto the sections to see how it will align. This was prior to finalizing the dimensions of module 2.



After the top pieces were cut, I test fit them into the car. I had already done careful measuring to ensure they would both fit, but you never know. Luckily all fit well and I then moved onto assembling the end plates, sides and support pieces. I still need to determine what I will use for legs.



(Mike McNamara)