Module Construction 101: Part 1 - Planning Your Module

Part 1 - Planning Your Module
In this session, we'll discuss:

• Thinking about what you want to build
• What prototype you want to follow
• You scenes location, season and era
• The module we will build in this series.
  

Creative Juices Are Flowing
So you've done your research on the internet, visited operating sessions of your local model railroad group and have been to dozens of train shows to figure out what kind of layout you want to build next, and you've decided on a Free-mo module, or module set. Well, welcome to the wonderful world of Free-mo!

As you probably know by now, Free-mo is the North American adaptation to the European Fremo style of modular model railroading. It gives you much more flexibility in your module design, more freedom for a prototypical track plan and gets away from typical oval or looped modular layouts you see. Free-mo is still relatively new here, so it's up to people like you to get involved, build some modules, have operating sessions and spread the word. But, while you do that, you should build yourself a module, or even a set.

Decision Time
So, what DO you want to build? One of the many questions you should ask when planning your module(s). Other questions include where is your module's scene going to be located, what is your prototype or do you feel better freelancing, what era is it set in, what time of the year, what's the terrain like, and more. Those are the most important questions to ask yourself. Some folks like a scene with a simple stretch of mainline through the countryside, while others like a set of modules depicting a mid-50's industrial area with lots of switching maneuvers.

One thing about connecting with other Free-mo modules you must remember though is that you should try to keep the scenery as close to what others have. Like avoiding a mid winter snowfall in the woods connected to an early summer field of corn. But if you are building your modules to only be set up in your home, then this wont be much of an issue.

Our Modules
For this series of articles, let's set the scene, only as a guideline, to help you envision what you want to build. So, we'll keep it simple. Let's say we like the rolling plains of the midwest, like Indiana, Illinois, or the western parts of Ohio, and your favorite time of year is the spring. You don't have tons of free space for a whole set of modules, so you choose to build just one 2'x4' module. This is a simple size, easy to work with and can be easily expanded in the future. And the significant other probably wont have a problem with you taking up 8 square feet in a spare room, basement, garage, or family room. That last one might be a stretch. Also, the module I'll be writing about may only cost around $200.00 or less, depending on where you find your materials.

Next Article
For the next article, we will discuss material selection, where to buy, and getting set up for construction. So, come back in a few days, or maybe sooner if I can't sleep, and we'll move on to part 2.

Until then, happy modeling!