Pre-made Modules

[Anonymous]

Does anybody know of a company that makes pre made modules for N and HO scale[:)][:D][8D][:I][:p][}:)][;)][:o)][8][:(][8)][:0][:(!][xx(][|)][:X][^][V][?][:)][:)][:)][:)][:)][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D]

[Anonymous]

YES ,I WAS ALSO LOOKING TO FIND OR CONSTRUCT ONE IF NEED BE THAT IS LIGHT WEIGHT AND EASILY MOVED FOR LACK OF SPACE,,AND BECAUSE I'M DOING THIS MORE-SO FOR MY SON,, NONE ARE IN MY PRICE RANGE TO SPEND ON ,,SO I HAVE NOT DONE SO,,,THEY ARE "TERRAINE FOR TRAINS" AND "TRAINSCAPES" AND CAN BE LOCATED IN ANY MODEL RAILROADER ISSUE IN THE PAST YEAR OR SO .. I HOPE THIS HELPS ,, IAM NOT TOO ' TRAIN TALK ' KNOWLEDGEABLE ,, THE ONLY DESCRIPTIONS I HAVE FOUND ARE FOR BUILDING MODULES FOR AND ADHERING TO STANDARDS USED FOR MODELING GROUPS THAT USE THE DISPLAYS AT SHOW EXPOS,, HOPE IM GETTING THIS CORRECT FOR YOU ,,IM JUST TRYING TO HAVE FUN WITH MY SON , AND THE ONLY ANSWERES I GET AT HOBBY SHOPS AND SHOWS IS TO BE DEAD ON ACCURATE WITH PROTOTYPE ,ERA , AND SO ON

[Jetrock]

too much time standing next to the tracks when trains are going by?

The "Trainscapes" kits aren't "modules" in that they aren't designed for modular standards (to be interconnected with other modules), they are essentially a full small layout in a box. Making it yourself will always be cheaper, though, there's just a small learning curve involved.

If you're just building a layout for yourself and your kids, and not planning on taking your modules to modular-layout meets or anything, you don't need to follow any sort of official standards--just build a few small tables that go together very tightly and build your track. You'll need to keep some things in mind (don't put switches on the points where the tables meet, make sure to leave a gap for the track that will interface one module with the next, etc.) but that's about it. The term, as mentioned elsewhere, for a layout you can take apart but isn't a standard-type module is a "sectional" layout--like a sectional couch.

[Anonymous]

I was kind hoping to have an n or ha scale layout to take to trainshows as a modular/sectoional layout

[Jetrock]

Most of the modular layouts you see at train shows are club projects--part of the idea behind modular layouts is allowing many people to collaborate and build a large layout without having to devote large amounts of at-home real estate to it.

Check your local hobby shop and find out if there is a modular railroad club in your area--or ask the folks who set up layouts at the next train show. Most are always looking for more members, and can provide you with specifications to build your own modules--and some larger clubs offer kits or pre-made modules for their own club's specifications. You'll also get to meet folks who can share their experiences in module-building!!

[Anonymous]

Do you know of an orginization in the Austin, Texas area.

[IRONROOSTER]

For N scale this site http://hometown.aol.com/LAFOOTE lists several NTRAK clubs. Some (many?) of the NMRA divisions have module groups - you might check for Austin. The Lone Star region has a page at http://www.lonestarregion.com/ with links to their division.
Enjoy
Paul