07-24-2009, 10:22 PM
Andrew, thanks for the reply!!!
Now thats an excellent idea!! I will have to do this for sure, and it would certainly keep the weight of each module down considerably! Thanks for that suggestion!!!
Ill have to think this one over. Like i said, my plans are to build a couple modules to complete Free-Mo standards, and have the rest based on Free-Mo. The layout section of the plan would be just kinda my own, since i would not have to move it and such.... Something i was thinking about was making a section that comes off the layout that i could attach a few modules coming off of the layout. Once i got bored or finished switching on those modules i could grab a couple more modules and attach them in the same spot and switch them while still using the layout. This would mean all the modules would have to line up correctly with the one spot on the layout, which might not be the easiest thing to do, but somthing im tossing around in my head LOL
Switches and complicated track work on joints is somthing i went through and fixed for the most part. i did however notice 2 locations that i failed to fix with this problem, so ill have to fix that.... The Modules in each "row" like the bottom section you were mentioning will always be hooked up together. Each row will be hooked together and they wouldnt be hooked to any other modules. Kinda like each row is a serious or package, if i wanna run one of the modules i will have to run all of them in that row, which wouldnt be so bad i dont think.... This also brings me back to hooking up module rows to one spot coming off the layout....
I was sticking to a standard for the first part of the plan when i was making it, and most of the modules are still the same size as all the others, but there are still some that are larger then others, or smaller then others. My main size is 2'x6'. I thought that would be a manageable size for a module, and i already have a few modules that are that size, i even have a 2'x7' and a 2'x8' module i can move myself, but those are very light LOL
The larger modules that are in the plan right now i want to try and make part of the layout part of this plan so i would not have to move larger modules like that. If they were part of the layout section, i wouldnt have to worry too much about how big each section was....
Im not sure i quite understand this one, i get the first point, but im getting confused on the second point lol Whats the 8",10", and 12" gap part?
Now thats going to be tough and challenging for me to do. My original plan is to have a shelving unit custom built to hold several modules. I would have it so it could hold maybe 8-10 modules all stacked ontop of each other, with maybe 1-2" between each module for maximum storage. This would bring us back to a standard module size which i would like to be 2x6' for all the modules ill make.... The Shelving units would be slightly longer then the modules themselfs, therefor each module would have its own shelf in the unit and when i wanted to use the modules, i could simply just slide them out of there shelf home and attach the legs and bam, its set up. This would leave me to get the structures for the module(s) from another storage area. The storage for the structures would be another shelving unit and each structure would have a specific home on the shelves so they would fit neatly and safely while still allowing easy access to them. Nothing is set on paper yet, but this is just what i have in my mind. My grandpa will be a huge help in the constructions of the shelving units, hes a woodworker and hes helped me with all my layouts benchwork so far lol
Vehicles would deff need to be removable at all times, regardless if there on a module or the layout. I cant stand not being able to move my trucks around LOL. I wouldnt mind taking them off and setting them up again, i actually like "playing" with them and driving them around on the roads and such, ive gotten good with backing up 53' trailers into narrow dock spaces on buildings LOL
Scenery would be glued down to the modules and layout sections. The M&ET is on pretty flat land, so there wouldnt be much tall scenery or hills on the modules to deal with. Just trees here and there....
Buildings on the layout i could glue down for good though, and those would be permanent
MasonJar Wrote:
- Don't use built in legs. You will need a set for every module. If you plan on only setting up a few (or several
) at a time, build interchangeable legs. Our modular group uses nominal 2x2 with a hanger bolt in the top, and a corresponding t-nut in the gusset in each corner of the module frame.
Now thats an excellent idea!! I will have to do this for sure, and it would certainly keep the weight of each module down considerably! Thanks for that suggestion!!!
MasonJar Wrote:
- Standardize your track placement. You can use Freemo standards, NMRA standards, or whatever. There are several places on your plan that have non-standard interfaces, which will mean that not every module can join every other module. While this is not necessarily bad, it means that the layout must be set up the same way every time.
Ill have to think this one over. Like i said, my plans are to build a couple modules to complete Free-Mo standards, and have the rest based on Free-Mo. The layout section of the plan would be just kinda my own, since i would not have to move it and such.... Something i was thinking about was making a section that comes off the layout that i could attach a few modules coming off of the layout. Once i got bored or finished switching on those modules i could grab a couple more modules and attach them in the same spot and switch them while still using the layout. This would mean all the modules would have to line up correctly with the one spot on the layout, which might not be the easiest thing to do, but somthing im tossing around in my head LOL
MasonJar Wrote:
- While keeping in mind the above point, also check for things like switches and other "tricky track". Having these challenging areas right next to the end of a module is not a good idea. Also, it is not good to have the switch for one industry on another module. Look at the bottom right of your plan, and you'll see what I mean. Brake Parts Inc, Pacific Distribution, and the others there all have their switches on the adjacent module. If you shifted everything "down" a few inches, each would be a stand alone module.
Switches and complicated track work on joints is somthing i went through and fixed for the most part. i did however notice 2 locations that i failed to fix with this problem, so ill have to fix that.... The Modules in each "row" like the bottom section you were mentioning will always be hooked up together. Each row will be hooked together and they wouldnt be hooked to any other modules. Kinda like each row is a serious or package, if i wanna run one of the modules i will have to run all of them in that row, which wouldnt be so bad i dont think.... This also brings me back to hooking up module rows to one spot coming off the layout....
MasonJar Wrote:
- If you haven't yet (it's hard for me to tell), standardize the size of your modules as well. 2 feet X 4 feet is a manageable size for most people to handle on their own. 2x6 is doable, but you may need help when they are paired together (see next point).
I was sticking to a standard for the first part of the plan when i was making it, and most of the modules are still the same size as all the others, but there are still some that are larger then others, or smaller then others. My main size is 2'x6'. I thought that would be a manageable size for a module, and i already have a few modules that are that size, i even have a 2'x7' and a 2'x8' module i can move myself, but those are very light LOL
The larger modules that are in the plan right now i want to try and make part of the layout part of this plan so i would not have to move larger modules like that. If they were part of the layout section, i wouldnt have to worry too much about how big each section was....
MasonJar Wrote:
- Build your modules in logical pairs. This helps in two ways - one, you can spread an industry across two modules that are always kept together, and two, high structures on one can fit into vacant lots on another. You can pair them together for storage with "end plates" that allow a 8", 10" or 12" (or whatever) gap in between the modules. With the "business side" inside, they are protected, and pairs of modules can be stacked.
Im not sure i quite understand this one, i get the first point, but im getting confused on the second point lol Whats the 8",10", and 12" gap part?
MasonJar Wrote:
- Do not make you buildings (or anything else) removable. As much as possible, glue down everything so that the modules can be tipped on end, turned upside down, or whatever. Years of watching guys forget to remove that last truck or building before moving the module has taught me that lesson...! Besides, once you get the module up, you want to run trains - I'll bet that eventually some of the scenery will not make it on before the trains start to roll.
Now thats going to be tough and challenging for me to do. My original plan is to have a shelving unit custom built to hold several modules. I would have it so it could hold maybe 8-10 modules all stacked ontop of each other, with maybe 1-2" between each module for maximum storage. This would bring us back to a standard module size which i would like to be 2x6' for all the modules ill make.... The Shelving units would be slightly longer then the modules themselfs, therefor each module would have its own shelf in the unit and when i wanted to use the modules, i could simply just slide them out of there shelf home and attach the legs and bam, its set up. This would leave me to get the structures for the module(s) from another storage area. The storage for the structures would be another shelving unit and each structure would have a specific home on the shelves so they would fit neatly and safely while still allowing easy access to them. Nothing is set on paper yet, but this is just what i have in my mind. My grandpa will be a huge help in the constructions of the shelving units, hes a woodworker and hes helped me with all my layouts benchwork so far lol
Vehicles would deff need to be removable at all times, regardless if there on a module or the layout. I cant stand not being able to move my trucks around LOL. I wouldnt mind taking them off and setting them up again, i actually like "playing" with them and driving them around on the roads and such, ive gotten good with backing up 53' trailers into narrow dock spaces on buildings LOL
Scenery would be glued down to the modules and layout sections. The M&ET is on pretty flat land, so there wouldnt be much tall scenery or hills on the modules to deal with. Just trees here and there....
Buildings on the layout i could glue down for good though, and those would be permanent