Here's my idea for a new Freemo (HO) module with an industrial theme. This is my first module so my aim is to have something that I can do at least a little bit of switching on. Input welcome. Module size is 2' x 8' with a joint in the middle signified by the solid vertical line. Switches are #8 with min. curve radius of 44" leading into the industries. Since I need to be able to access switch control on both sides of the module, I think ground throws would work best. Is it easy to control frog polarity/phase with ground throws? My switcher is currently an RS-1 in SP&S paint so we can assume the industries on this layout are collectively leasing the equipment. I haven't settled on any particular era for this plan yet - possibly '80s through '90s or even present. Era could be pretty flexible on this size of a module by changing out the cars on the street. Like I said, input is appreciated. This should be fun.
You may want to lengthen your siding to be able to run around the train to spot cars on facing point spurs.
Yes, a longer siding would be nice. Maybe I can extend that out to the edge and add a module when I want to operate this one. That brings up an interesting point on the current plan - I only have enough room on either side of the siding to take the engine and one car onto the mainline. It might be a tight squeeze to put two cars on the main and bypass them with the engine on the siding.
You could create a longer siding by swapping the turnouts on the left side. Move the loco storage track toward the middle, and maybe turn it around, and put the siding turnout closer to the edge of the module. Is your plan to operate this module with a group, at home as a stand alone, or both? You could build simple extensions if operating alone so that you may gain a little more length on the run around siding.
If your modules are going to use w/ a Free-mo setup there shouldn't be any problems w/ a longer siding. When you're switching it a home add 2' x 4" wide track extensions clamped on each end.
Whew, extending the siding opened things up a bit. This will be mostly for switching at home at first; I like the extensions idea as that will lessen the chance for the train inadvertently departing the mainline at the edge. :mwacko: Someday, I'd like to add modules for the home layout to have a functioning mainline. I might still DC at home by then, so the mainline will have an option to isolate from the rest later.
See what you think of these revisions. Moved engine track to left end of siding & added another spur going right off siding. Also made all spurs parallel to the main.
I like the loco pocket change where it would be adjacent the mainline, but I like that there was no track in the lower right leaving room for a partial main street type scene. I liked the industry spurs at angles too, but parallel is more prototypical. Then again just about anything goes in our hobby and on modules its all about eye candy. I might go with whatever will allow for a structure to be feasibly represented. Moculs, I thought your revision came out good in post #6.
yes, it is better, but it does not look like there is any room at the ends for anything other than a loco or a car.
Here's an option to extend the grain area which moves the engine storage in between the two industries. I added the stream to work with the angles the industry spurs were on; one or both of the spurs may be done to give the appearance of running past the edge as if to continue into town a little ways. The stream will terminate on the endplate side in a culvert to still make sense in free-mo. The angled spurs remind me of a railroad town I used to live in (anybody been to Minot ND?) and they help break up the set of parallel tracks on the other side of the module. Both plans look good to me; but I have to decide if I want to go with the big industry feel on the left, or the small town operations look on the right.
hi, if you really like to do some switching on your "module" at home, at least the leads have to be long enough to hold an egine and a couple of cars. A cassette could help you out when going for any of the plans with the long run-around. Paul
Paul,I agree..As the layout now stands there's no head room to switch cars..I would use a simpler design.
Yes, this module does not have much room at the ends for mainline past the siding. I'll connect it up to extensions to allow switching when using this module by itself. This won't be an issue when I make subsequent modules to attach to this one and/or if I find a free-mo group to operate with.
I decided to cut out one of the spurs for the grain area to give more of a space between the main and the grain operation. Good to have a fresh set of eyes on the project after a break.
I would consider taking the double track to one end of the module set so in a larger setup it could be made into a longer passing siding. I inherited a module set and it also has tracks besides the main crossing the joint making adding modules between the two sections not work at all. If I could, I would extend the double track on the siding to the end so another double track module could mate to it. The current end of the siding would become a crossover.
This is a good idea if you are looking for a set of transition modules to run from single to double track mainline, but our little buddy would like a set of modules that stay together. Mucols, would you consider moving the engine track? If you added a right hand turnout on the mainline where the co-op is the track would then cross the co-op spur and turn toward the stream. This may help separate the co-op scene and leave more space for the loco track. You could stage a tanker there waiting for the switcher to get fueled up. I would make it parallel with the mainline.
I started using AnyRail as the first track planning software I browsed to off of a search. Seems pretty handy so far on a layout of this scope. I'm planning on hand laying the track on the layout, so the track on the software is close to what I'll actually set down. John, is this what you were going for? I see some possibilities with the crossover and the engines own parallel space. I'll have to double check, but I think I might be ok to leave the corners of the crossover unpowered in DC (home use is DC for now); the RS-1 might have the reach to span the dead zone. If that doesn't work, I also have the option of adding a little more to the engine spur.
