Hi Bill:
--- In [email protected], "Bill Lane" wrote: > > Trevor, > How close am I? Well, I'm guessing you're in Pennsylvania and I'm in Canada, so... (grin!) > Free Mo S does not have any 90 degree turn modules, and has never set up in > a circle to run trains around? Well, technically Free-mo (in S or other scales) COULD have 90 degree modules and be set up in a giant rectangle. But I've never seen it done. The theory with Free-mo is, you find a suitable place to model, and you do it. Here's an example from my HO scale Free-mo exhibition days. Pierre Oliver and I built a Free-mo-compliant module based on a small yard and industrial park in Peterborough, Ontario. ("Peterboro" on the CNR.) The module had 12 sections, including an optional sector plate so we could operate on it as a stand-alone layout. Overall, it was 50 linear feet of module. The main line was laid along a broad curve (about 120-FOOT radius). There were four peninsulas to hold spurs that diverged from the main - including one peninsula that grew out of another. We took this module to a show in the Toronto area, and hooked up with another Free-mo compliant module built by Rich Chrysler. In the photo at the following URL, Rich's module is the bare plywood arrangement along the upper edge of the picture. The set of what you see is ONE module. http://tinyurl.com/av65j7t > I was at a CJSS S-Mod set up once where there was not a loop - just to be > different. Picture an oval with 2 turn modules pointed outward instead of > connecting to complete the oval. That's a lot like the operation on layouts composed of Free-mo modules. I've certainly never suggested that "Free-mo S" is any better or worse than "S-Mod" at doing one thing or another - it's just what it is. For the Workshop, it's a standard that works for the members and has never been put forward as something that should become an official standard for the S scale community. As I've noted previously, it's better to think of the Workshop as a group that is building a self-contained exhibition layout - but using a Free-mo-inspired standard to give the members of the group additional flexibility for set-up. > It was quickly discovered how much > attention needs to be given to keep trains running continuously on a true > point to point set up. We were actually criticized by the show management > for "not running trains!" Interestingly, we found that running a single switch job on Peterboro could keep a fairly big crowd entertained. In fact, people tended to stay longer and ask more questions when switching occurred at realistic speeds - kind of the same way that people at a party congregate in the kitchen, because that's where the food, drink and conversation is most lively. Here, Pierre fields questions from five or six show goers at once... http://tinyurl.com/amwd3k7 > Besides the stunning scenery, if you kept trains running on a point to point > for DAYS you deserved to win first place! To be honest, I was NOT at Springfield this year, so I don't deserve anything. But the members of the Workshop who WERE there definitely earned their prize. > Thank You, > Bill Lane Cheers! - Trevor --- Trevor Marshall Port Rowan in 1:64 I model a steam-era Canadian National branch line terminal in S scale, and blog about it here: http://themodelrailwayshow.com/cn1950s The Model Railway Show Listen in as two recovering radio newscasters host a podcast about the hobby: http://www.themodelrailwayshow.com ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: [email protected] [email protected] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [email protected] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
