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.

Setup with Capitol Free-mo at Timonium

On April 9-10, 2011, I set up my modules with the Capitol Free-mo group at the Timonium Great Scale Model Train Show in Maryland. The Free-mo modules were then connected to a much larger (250' x 75') Sipping & Switching Society layout using their MOSS interface 1" module. Here are some pictures I took at the show. More photos are on the Capitol Free-mo Yahoo discussion page and videos are up on YouTube (search for "Timonium Sipping & Switching").

Free-mo events, NJ Web Site

Just wanted to post something to keep the blog active.

On Sat. 1/15/11 at the NJ Division NMRA Meet in Haddon Twp. NJ, a Free-mo set up will occur. It is open to anyone, even visitors who are not NMRA. Check out njdivnmra.org for more info.

In April at the Great Scale Model Train Show in Timonium, Free-mo modules will be set up and attached to other switching layouts to form a large layout for operations. Check out GSMTS.com for info on the show. Free-mo module builders can coordinate through me (I will pass along contact info) or go directly to the Capitol Free-mo group, www.capitolfreemo.org.

There is the potential for a Free-mo set up at the NER NMRA convention in Warwick, RI in October. More info to come, check out nernmra.org for the latest.

And a reminder that the NJ Free-mo group has a web site established that will have updates on these events as well as module building info and pictures. Check out njfreemo.org.

Change in name/geography

It has been a while since we have made any updates to this site. Geographically, we have focused just on central and southern New Jersey, so the blogspot name is now njfreemo.blogspot.com. We'll leave PA and DE along with the Delaware Valley designation out of it as there seems to be others in those areas interested in getting Free-mo groups together.

This doesn't mean you have to be strictly from this area of NJ to be a NJ Free-mo participant. We have no club or dues, no bylaws of course. So anyone is welcome to participate online, at setups and in construction sessions.

We also established our own web site, njfreemo.org, and that will continue to be the place with the most up-to-date info on the group.

~ Mike McNamara

Belle Mead Photos

I took a drive over to Belle Meade to look at the section of track Claude is looking to model. Here are my photos of the stations and overpass.



Track is in good condition and looks well used. The station has seen better days...




Building across from station...old freight house?



Mike Mc.

sky blue yellow

Gentlemen,

Never used any kind of blog before, so please help me out :-)

I do not like rules, but can live with guidelines, such as....

Module paint color. I do NOT like 'southwest desert sand' for our lush green northeast. I happen to use a dark green, but can change to any reasonable color.
Ballast color
Tie color - I use 'roof brown' and paint the rails a rust color

questions:

any interest in PRSL? I'm a confirmed Reading fan (20+ yr member RCT&HS)
any interest in marine railroading? waterfront module?
how do I post pics of my modules, legs, leg pockets, etc?

jim

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.