I've heard from several of my friends at my local club that you can build modules that lock together so tight that you don't have to use rail joiners to connect the tracks. I'm not totally concerned about compatibility so I have lots of freedom. How is this benchwork built? I know "FreeMo" uses it, but not sure how it works.
-Crewman
I don't think having or not having connectors is the big problem. The thing you would need is consistency, regardless of any variables in temp or humidity, and withstand repeated assembly/disassembly. I would build as normal, then use a material such as aluminum plate on the mating ends with locating pins installed. The track would need to be chamfered and mounted well also. I'm sure there is many ways to do this without metal, but that would be my preference
Look at some of the European modular railroader sites. They use brass screws with the rails soldered to them as a way to align the rails from module to module. They also use a "Pattern Makers Dowel" to align the modules to each other.
Also if you wish, check out my web site. It gives some examples of modules and how they look when constructed along with links to sites that go into depth on this matter.
Johnnny_reb Once a word is spoken it can not be unspoken!
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Crewman1 wrote: I've heard from several of my friends at my local club that you can build modules that lock together so tight that you don't have to use rail joiners to connect the tracks. I'm not totally concerned about compatibility so I have lots of freedom. How is this benchwork built? I know "FreeMo" uses it, but not sure how it works. -Crewman
One method for tracks to bridge the gap is as you describe. European Fremo uses this system where the rails run to the very edge of the module. They also mandate use of machined end plates for modules.
North American Free-mo uses 2" long fitter rails to span the gaps. The end of the track is set in 1" from the end of the module. Module end plates are built by module builders, not all of whom are precision carpenters or machinists. At a meet, modules are held together by C-clamps clamping the 2 adjacent end plates. The fitter rails give 2 joints and a slight amount of flex to absorb any misalignment between the modules. At many meets, the floors are incredibly uneven. Legs have to be adjustable, too.
The European system has only one track joint, so tolerances have to be tighter. Typically, a modular system that runs rail to the end mandates commercial endplates, or at least the use of a master template. If you are transporting and handling modules often, rail that runs to the very edge of the module is more susceptible to snagging, catching, and damage. One term for a common form of damage is "zippering", where the rail is progressively yanked out of its fastenings to the ties.
There is no doubt the rail to edge looks better than fitter rails or track pieces. But most North American module systems choose the fitter method due to greater practicality with different environments and construction skill levels. For a home layout where compatibility is not needed, it all becomes your choice. However, once you have seen your module incorporated in a meet layout, you may just change your mind about being part of a modular group and system.
my thoughts, your choices
Fred W
Were it not for the idiocy factor NTrak could have been designed this way. There is supposed to be a standardized gap bridging adjacent modules but that gappage varies wildly and joining together two modules involves test fitting pieces; if you are very, very lucky you will get it on the first try. I have never been that lucky!
The idiocy factor was alive and well when it involved track alignment; I have seen dog's hind legs straighter than I have seen some module alignment!
It should be able to be done. Prior to my wife foreclosing on her old mobile home which allows me a dedicated space for a model railroad I was planning a fold-away layout involving modules mounted on A-Frames. After I had the modules aligned and the track layed I was going to use a jeweler's saw to cut through trackwork and scenery leaving everything flush with the edge of the modules. To assure absolute alignment I would probably have used rail joiners.
The main thing is to insure locking together of the alignment; I once saw a layout indexed with French Cleats and I had planned on using that for locking together my modules--fixed along the face of the modules and removeable along the edges.
From the far, far reaches of the wild, wild west I am: rtpoteet
I use "domino" construction. The layout sections are constructed of plywood 1" x 4" lumber. The sections are connected with 1/4" bolts. The track runs to the edge of the module and is connected to the next section of track via a rail joiner.
Jim, Modeling the Kansas City Southern Lines in HO scale.
"Were it not for the idiocy factor NTrak could have been designed this way. There is supposed to be a standardized gap bridging adjacent modules but that gappage varies wildly and joining together two modules involves test fitting pieces; if you are very, very lucky you will get it on the first try. I have never been that lucky!"
Which "idiocy" are you referring to? The idiot who can't layout their track properly because they've never done any model railroading at all, but saw an NTrak setup and said "hey, that's cool and I think I can do it, I'm going to try that!" or the idiot who can't cut a board square because they've never worked done any "handy" stuff beyond changin' a lightbulb? Perhaps you're referring to the idiot who zippers the track of somebody else's module because of the exposed ends? Or maybe its the idiot who builds a module out of construction 1x4s in Georgia, and then moves to Barstow, CA and watches his module shrink and twist, and now nothing lines up anymore?
Or maybe, just maybe, you're referring to the idiots who attack the pioneering system for failing to satisfy the attacker's vision of "how it should be", a vision based on seeing the problems revealed by the pioneers! Your over the top insults only serve to reveal your own petty mind. NTrak has its shortcomings, but the prime idiocy factor at work here is your's.