Free-moN: At Home & On The Road

[mcfunkeymonkey]

As it seems my Free-moN modules have now become my "home layout", thought I'd start a new thread featuring the whole kit-n-keboodle rather than individual modules.

'Twas a busy weekend: on Saturday I set up all my modules in my garage to
1) troubleshoot,
2) see it if fit in my garage (a "California Basement") and
3) run trains!

Only took about a kabillion hours to get everything going, but once it did...!

A video:

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All that packed up into:

And then this:


[after unbolting and removing the back seats]

And then after a very scary drive down in infamous 880 in rain pouring so hard I couldn't even see the UP yard next to it https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=37.790057,-122.257394&spn=0.004612,0.010568&t=h&z=17 we set up in the Boy Scout headquarters in San Leandro for the NMRA PCR meet.
Funky space in an awkwardly-angled atrium, but nice rockclimbing wall backdrop:

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouMm4lUzJQ
The whole layout was all my modules plus Scott's Moss Beach 2'x4' and Eric's "DCC/JMRI-in-a-Box" command station, but many members (and non) brought trains and iPhones, so it was a rock 'n rolling train day for all!

Hope you enjoy, and thanks for looking!

["JaBear"]

Gidday MC, If you keep going at your current pace, I am just wondering how are you going to explain this.............

http://www.missionvalleytruckcenter.com/new_vehicle_detail.asp?veh=60498&pov=2784920

.....in your driveway, to your good lady ????  

Thanks again for sharing,

Cheers, the Bear.

[MisterBeasley]

OK, gang, it's Friday and I'm going to give everyone homework for the weekend.  Watch these videos, with the computer speakers on to catch the sound track.

This isn't just good, it's downright inspirational.

[mcfunkeymonkey]

Thanks, Mr. B!

To me, what's more "inspirational" is that after this:

I was able to fit it all (except for Scott's 2'x'4' straight module on the right) BACK INTO the Rav4 to take it home!

A couple more space-saving alterations and I'll have room for a few more modules :)

Happy Weekend, all!

[mcfunkeymonkey]

This weekend I took advantage of the wife & kids gone on a trip to Monterey with the in-laws from Japan to set up a slightly different configuration in the garage and "troubleshoot" (i.e. excuse to run trains):



Given that this is most of my rolling stock, I just I'll just HAVE to get more:



Biggest issue is the "dip down" at the module ends as the PC board ties are a bit slimmer than the Atlas flex ties.

Will need to go back and slip some 0.02" styrene under the cork at the endplates and relay the rails.

Not a huge project but one I wish I had done when I first built them (ignorence is not bliss, yadda yadda).

And here's the video:

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Tried to show some different angles from before so I won't oversaturate the market and bore you

Everything will get put away for a couple months until the Jan show in Richmond, CA, probably.
Guess that'll give me space to finish the 45's and build some more curved modules

Thanks for looking.

[UPinCT]

Looking Great MC!  But it looks like you have dropped out of the Free-mo group and now have a home layout.  LOL

[mcfunkeymonkey]

UPinCT

Looking Great MC!  But it looks like you have dropped out of the Free-mo group and now have a home layout.  LOL

Ha ha!

I am in both groups!
(Free-moN AND "home")

Guess which one has higher "dues"? :)

[UPinCT]

I'm gonna say home because of the landlord aka Mrs. MC

Edit: all seriousness aside, the layout is looking good and certain scenes have inspired me.  Keep the pics comming

[mcfunkeymonkey]

Last few days I've been performing "reconstructive surgery" on the 45 ends.
The PC board ties are thinner than Atlas C55 flex ties, and, in my haste, I didn't sand down the main section of cork enough when laying track, so the rails make a slight descent down at the ends.
Nothing most trains can't (and haven't) rolled over, but put two 45's together, and that dip becomes a trough that longer steamers get stuck on with the pilot and tender holding the drivers spinning over the rails.

So, somewhat similar to those buttcheek implants (and it is at the butt-joint!), I slid in a styrene implant under the roadbed at the endplate.

The incision:



The implant of 0.02" styrene:



[I used a healthy amount of Gorillia Glue to secure]

The clamp & cure:



[Not a lot of pressure from the clamp, just there to keep things even while the GG expands and cures]

The result:



You can see a little GG seeping out the side.
Nothing a little scenicking can't fix!
But now the track is even across the whole module and, more important, across two or more modules!

Perhaps I should expand my layout design service to include some reconstructive and cosmetic surgery? "Yardgoat Styrene Surgery"
Hmm.....

[mcfunkeymonkey]

Between fun family frolicking and house cleaning (Japanese thing: whole house must be spotless before the New Year, as evidenced by my workbench:



), haven't had a whole lot of train time (but dang if the garage ain't purdy!).

Have been slowly working on the other set of 45's, which involve concrete roads, "big" industries and a lot of detail.

First tacked some forms for the concrete (lightweight spackle + craft paint + water: Lee Weldon's Moonshine Recipe) pour:



Then poured.

Didn't mix enough, so thought I'd just pour & mix on the fly:



FAIL!!

Actually worked out alright: just used an old brush to mix the colors in the lightweight spackle toot-sweet, and it settled alright:



If you do use lightweight spackle mixed with paint & a little water, the trick is to pour more than you need, LET IT CURE, COMPLETELY, and THEN sand it down to a nice evenish surface.

In this case (garage, very cold nights) it took 2-3 days to completely set enough for sanding.



Chopped & Frankenstein'ed a couple "curved" buildings, one will have a concrete loading dock, the other door-to-door:



So, after spray painting one red oxide and the other boxcar red (over a grey primer), now in the middle of painting all the little window sills and doors.

BOOOOOOOORRRRRRRRIIIIINNNNNGGGGGGG.

Forgot how boring this was: last time my daughter & I took turns for the long kitbashed structures on the "Alameda-Belt-in-a-Box" layout.

From now on, I'm not doing multi-window/door buildings unless I can "print" the layers and paint separately, so I guess I'll be getting a Silhouette or ?? soon.

So here it stands today:





Well, back to painting windows and doors!

Gotta train show in a couple weeks in mid-January.

Now I just have to figure out how to fit all this in my car again with all the structures intact!

Thanks for looking.

[NP2626]

Excuse me for asking what I'm sure will be an embarassing question; but, what does Free-moN mean?  Obviously we're talking N Scale.  Is there Free-morHO or other scales?

[mcfunkeymonkey]

"Free-mo" stands for "Free-module" or "Free-modular" and is a set of standards for module endplates, single-track main, and wiring, with pretty much everything else in between the endplates up to the modeler (thus the "free" part).

Free-mo  (HO) and Free-moN started in space-challenged Europe but has become popular in the US, with "clubs" (usually more like "groups" than official "clubs") in many cities around the country.

Free-mo & Free-moN, with a taller benchwork height (Free-moN is at 50") and single mainline, focus more on realistic scenery and operations than other modular standards like NTrak (whose low benchwork and 3-mainlines sometimes gives it a "toy racetrack" appearance).  Free-mo modules also have no backboard and the mainline is centered at the endplates, allowing modules to be "flipped" or set up in any order to fit almost any space.

A great example of the myriad modules possible can be seen on the N-Land Pacific (Southern California) group's website.

The group that I roll with, Silicon Valley Free-moN, is based in the San Francisco Bay Area.  When I started building my first module (The Shoofly in Sonoma) a year ago, there were about 4 guys involved.  Now there's around 10 or so, and at our last show we had over 200 feet of mainline running:

It's fun to be able to "complete" a scene relatively quickly as well as run trains much longer than I have space for at home.  The best part, of course, is enjoying running trains with a groovy group of guys!

[Anonymous]

FreeMo N is actually the North American variant of the European "FREMO". FREMO stands for "Freundeskreis Europäischer MOdellbahner", translated Friendship of European railway modellers.

More info in available here:

http://www.fremo-net.eu/index.php?id=23&L=6

If you click on the EN button below the logo, you´ll get the Enhglish language version.

McF - I am once again more than just impressed by your work!

[NP2626]

Thanks for the explanation!

[mcfunkeymonkey]

Thanks, Ulrich, for both the kind words and for the translation!

Funny how here in the U.S. we think of "Free-mo" as standing for "Free Modular" while the best part about it--running trains with good people--is in the original FREMO!

Fun stuff!

Now back to the (rather chilly) garage!

[mcfunkeymonkey]

Alrighty, been slowly creating some industries / industrial scenes on two of the 45 deg modules:



The two modules can join together to create a short through siding / runaround.

The industry on the far module will be a freight house:



While I'm still trying to figure out what these two will be:





One (the two-story thing) is rail-served and kinda like a furniture factory (Three Bears Furniture?) [hmm, forgot to put the awnings up over the loading docks], while the other is a truck-served fenced lot.
Thinking pipes or just piles of dirt, rocks, gravel, fertilizer ???
Any suggestions appreciated!

Did put a couple of posters up on the smaller building, so thought I'd make another "How To" video:

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[video takes longer than to do the frickin' posters!]

Am trying to get these two scenes done before the GTE show in Richmond, CA next weekend.

Thanks for looking.

[UPinCT]

Looking Great as usual MC.

Thanks for the video Tip! and keep those updates coming.  With all your modules, it won't be long before you can circle the outside of your house with the layout.

[mcfunkeymonkey]

Thanks for the kind words.

Considering the house we're in is one of 6 units semi-connected together, it will take A LOT (pun intended) of modules to circle the outside!

The good news is that I figured out how to unbolt & remove the passenger seat as well as the back seats, so looks as though I'll be able to take all my modules--including the four new 45 deg ones--to the show in Richmond, CA next weekend.

Speaking of 45 deg. modules:

Inspired by David K. Smith and his very fine twisted cable/chain on that little car of his, I thought I'd give something similar a go for the support cables of the awning on Unnamed Industry loading dock:





That's 3 of the 7 wires of 22 gauge stranded spun in a drill until tight, painted and then CA'ed to the awning and to Grandt Line rectangular NBW details mounted on the brick.

Up close it looks a bit thick for the job, so next time I might use 30 gauge wire or just 2 strands of the 22.

From a couple feet away it looks alrighty and "good enough" for now:



Still debating about putting up an awning on the trackside loading dock:



Probably will, though this one will be of weathered corrugated metal.

'Bout time for some more dirt, ground foam, static grass & bushes!
Thanks for looking.

[mcfunkeymonkey]

Two days until the show and almost at the point where I can bring these two 2', 45 deg modules with at least a basic scene, minus moocho details.

The local watering hole finally opened up:



Seems as though the barkeep might have had a few before sign-painting.
(Either that or he's as poor a speller as me  )

But at least one "industry" on the modules now has a name.

Behind the Loose Caboose you can see my latest loco acquisition, Central California Traction #60 (GP-7), which I hope to be my first successful foray into diesel detailing.

As of now it's still new outta the box:



though I'll put in MT 905 Z scale couplers before the show (that much I know how to do).

The freight house on the other module is almost done:



Though I really need to do something about the brightness and brown-ness of the "concrete".
Really stands out when you put the modules together:



As soon as the ground cover / static grass / ballast dry I'll add more tufts and bushes and maybe a few trees.
Eventually there'll be another small building across the tracks from the freight house but I'm not going to be able to get to that before the show, methinks.

Anyway, any/all comments, feedback, suggestions appreciated!

Thanks for looking.

[mcfunkeymonkey]

We had a great time running trains yesterday at the Great Train Expo at the Craneway Pavilion at the Richmond Marina (part of the old Ford plant), and then watching the Richmond Pacific switcher shunt some cars around the waterfont right outside.

Here's a teaser trailer:

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The building is full of great light and great layouts, from scales Z to O, so come on down today and check it out (hey, free parking!).
Hope to see you there!

Today will be filming day, so later I'll post photos and video of the whole layout, including our newest module: Nils' 8'+ "Bridge O' Wonder"!!

[mcfunkeymonkey]

Here it is, in all 10 minutes of it's 1080p glory: the Silicon Valley Free-moN layout at the Richmond, CA Great Train Expo, January 12 & 13, 2013.

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Can't wait for Nils to finish his 8'+ "Bridge O' Wonder" module! Even after couple months' work it's very nice & dramatic
We had only about 1/2 our members and modules, so if you come to the World's Greatest Hobby show in San Mateo, CA March 2 & 3, 2013 you should see SVFMN in all of it's full-length glory 

Thanks for looking.

[Burlington Northern #24]

whoa, whoa, hold up. Z scale couplers to an N scale locomotive? how does that work? 

looking very good, I just subscribed to you on youtube. good job on your layout in a box by the way, very interesting article in N scale Mag. 

[mcfunkeymonkey]

Burlington Northern #24

whoa, whoa, hold up. Z scale couplers to an N scale locomotive? how does that work? 

Works quite well, and looks much better:

 

MT 905 Z on the left, "N Scale" on the right.

 

MT 905 Z coupler on the left, "N scale" on the right.

Usually it's pretty easy to swap out the couplers, but sometimes you need to ream out a little metal:

 And then slide the coupler in snug:

Hope that helps.

[UPinCT]

MC, great video!  Love the Bridge O' Wonder, Bridge O' Might.

You know what struck me as I was watching,  the lay out doesn't even look like it is N in the video.

[Burlington Northern #24]

interesting, thank you Mr. Fujiwara. I could swap the pilot couplers on my Bachmann Light Mountain and Nothern.

[mcfunkeymonkey]

Thought I'd throw in a shot someone (Steve?) took from the overhead crane walkway at Craneway Pavilion (it was part of the old Ford plant) showing our "whole" layout:



Like I said, 1/2 our members and modules didn't make it to this show, so the layout will probably be twice the size for WGH in March!
Woot!

[mcfunkeymonkey]

After a show I have little desire to work on the modules more, so I've decided to finally get around to building the 6-7 kits of turn-of-the-century and pre-1900 cars I've had stashed in my drawers (that's cabinets, lads).
In typical O. Henry fashion, I've already thrown away my turn-of-the-century Mt. Coffin & Columbia River layout ["D'oh!"].
No problem, my boxcab or Climax can tootle around with them on the Free-moN layout next to the big diesels.

Almost done with the first two: a Mark Watson / CG N Scale Ventilated Boxcar and a Fine-N-Scale 36' boxcar lettered for the now-departed Mt. Coffin Cannery Co.



The boxcar was the first time I made (& applied  ) my own decals, make on an inkjet.
The first couple were not so pretty, as I dunked 'em before sliding them off so the ink ran.
But dabbing the back of the paper it worked out.
Just wondering how to get rid of the decal "border" which I thought weathering would blend in (oops).
More micro sol?
Dulcote?
That clear "frame" around the decals kind bugs.



The ventilated boxcar is a very cool kit from Mark Watson (I think here's around here sometimes) http://www.shapeways.com/model/395098/n-scale-ventilated-boxcar-2-pack.html?gid=sg88137
Lots o' good details abound:



I scratched a wood load around some lead weights as the car is verrrrry light.

On both cars are trucks from Panamint (Eric Cox).
Ventilated box has the "Allen" / California archbars (http://www.shapeways.com/model/368320/t82b-n-archbar-truck-allen-california-v-amp-t-for-ba.html?li=productBox-search)
And the Mt. Coffin Cannery Co. has the wooden beam trucks.
Both work well (though fragile!) and maybe metal wheels will help.

Got a couple more ventilated boxcars, a flat with two-stagecoach load, a flat with a steam donkey load, and a couple of RLW early boxcars in the pipeline.
Now if that Atlas 4-4-0 ever shows up... 

Groovy weekend, all.

[dexterdog]

Bridge O' Wonder indeed! And very appropriate musical accompaniment as well.

[mcfunkeymonkey]

Thanks!

Added two more ventilated boxcars to the roster:









Was about to finish them when I realized that I had run out of MT905 Z couplers 
So the cars will be fully operational next week.

The wooden grabs are rather fragile and some popped off while brushing weathing powder on, so I replaced them with some brass wire.
"Adds Character" as we call it.
There's also some lead weights over the trucks in the darker ventboxcars.
Ran out of Allen/California archbar trucks (mainly because I broke two ) so one ventboxcar has wooden beam trucks.
More "character".

On to the stagecoach loads and the conductor car!

[mcfunkeymonkey]

We have a WGH show March 2 & 3 in San Mateo, CA so Nils and I have been working on updating and scenicing the other return loop.
Fellow Free-moNster Eric built this double wye / return loop in about 3 days before the NMRA X2011 convention in Sacramento:



And it's looked the same since.
Very cool concept: each of the 4 center sections are true Free-moN modules in themselves and so can be used individually, as two separate wyes, or a double return-loop/passing sidings o' wonder.

Given the hasty construction, there were a few bumps in the track that was giving us problems, so Nils and I volunteered to spruce it up for the show.
And by "spruce up" I mean add three industries, two towns, a couple passing sidings and all the scenery.

Nils is working on a side module with a Sierra Nevada tunnel & rock shed on the outside and a rail-served quarry scene on the inside, while I'm working on the other three modules building a long passing siding, coal tipple that can serve 32 gons, a Company town & freighthouse and the mountains they're tucked into.

Most of the butt joints are great, but I had to refurbish a couple.
Before:



After:



Also built up background mountains, installed a styrene backdrop fascia, and built & installed about 9 custom curved turnouts:



Yesterday I got all the Bullfrogs installed and track wired, so here's a video of the first train:

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9s5fLuAo1wwThe mine along the Eggel River will look something like this one up in the Pacific Northwest:



After running I realized we really needed another crossover from the main to the tipple-side siding before the wye:



as otherwise trains have to go around 2-3 times the whole loop to serve some industries (not sure what I was thinking when Nils and I were planning it out).
So it's back out to the workbench to build two more turnouts, install them & wire them up.

Have to drop off the Wye Knot modules at Nils' place this Sunday, so I'll be lucky to get track painted & ballasted and some basic ground cover down before then.
Then I'll build the mine tipple, engine shed and Company Town Freighthouse over the next week and install them the morning of the show
[Note to self: take good measurements before dropping modules off!]

But it will be nice to have some more industries to work and to have some scenery on the Wye Knot. Fortunately, I have a lot of pine trees left over from the Mt. Coffin & Columbia River layout.

Thanks for looking.