What is Free-mo?
The latest in HO scale modular model railroading
The Free-mo Concept: San Luis Obispo Model Railroad Club at San Rafael, CA in February 1996 at the Pacific Coast Region Convention.
Free-mo was developed with the idea that a set of standards focusing mainly on module endplates would enable faithful modeling of prototype trackplans and operations in a modular environment. The length and track configuration of a Free-mo module or module set is up to the modeler. Free-mo takes the boredom out of running trains monotonously around a double or even a triple track mainline. With Free-mo, less is more.
Free-mo operates like a permanent or sectional layout but still retains its modularity (Free-mo is actually more modular then existing double track modules). Free-mo layouts are operated with a single track mainline in a point to loop, loop to loop, or point to point. Layout sizes can vary to any size conceivable.
The Free-mo mainline is centered on a two foot end so modules can be inverted 180 degrees and still mate up to the adjacent module without modification to wiring or track. The Free-mo mainline also takes advantage of stronger industry support of code 83 rail.
Free-mo was developed with the idea that a set of standards focusing mainly on module endplates would enable faithful modeling of prototype trackplans and operations in a modular environment. The standards just mandate the ends where modules connect together, leaving the length and track configuration up to the modeler. This in turn yields extremely flexible standards that work! For example, if you want to build a module that is 5 feet 7 and 3/4 inches long with an angle of 19 degrees and a 2% grade, you can do it with Free-mo!
Free-mo at the Train Fair, New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse, NY
Submitted by bschremp on Mon, 01/16/2012 - 2:01pm.Last weekend (November 5 -- 6) the annual train fair was held at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse, NY. Free-mo groups from New York, Ontario, Ohio, and New England joined forces to field a layout with a 70' main line and an intersecting branch. Around 20 people were involved in creating and running this layout. Four of us from New England attended, contributing around 10 individual module sections to the event. We ran trains all weekend, held two ops sessions, took lots of photos, talked with show attendees, and had a good time.
Over the next few days I'll post a series of photos I took at the event. Today's batch are photos showing the set-up and some overview of the layout.
Pictures from Past Northern California Free-mo Events
Submitted by bschremp on Mon, 01/16/2012 - 11:49am.Here are pictures by Gary Green from some past NorCal Free-mo events.
World's Greatest Hobby on Tour
The Utah group si setting up for the World's Greatest Hobby on Tour.
The Free-mo group in Utah is considering setting up at the World's Greatest Hobby on Tour in early February. Set up will be all day Friday February 3rd and run will be Saturday and Sunday with teardown after show closes on Sunday. This is an event that is attended by many outside the regular train show crowd. We set up in 2006 and the attendance was over 20,000 not bad for a specialized event in Salt Lake.
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Chilliwack DCC Booster Box
Submitted by bschremp on Thu, 01/12/2012 - 11:50pm.The guys up in Chilliwack designed and built their booster and power supply into a plastic tool box. Here is a link to information and directions on the Booster Box.
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Toronto 2012 Christmas Train Show Pictures
Submitted by bschremp on Thu, 01/12/2012 - 11:46pm.I just updated the CV Free-mo Group web site with pictures from our setup at the Toronto Christmas Train Show. The link is below:
http://cvrfreemo.hobby-site.com/ChristmasShow2011/index.htm
ENJOY!
Also Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone!
Paul Taylor
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2011 National Train Show (NTS), Sacramento July 8, 9, 10
Submitted by bschremp on Mon, 07/11/2011 - 9:28am.2011 National Train Show (NTS), Sacramento July 8, 9, 10
Free-mo was represented with modules from Sothern California, Central California (SLO Area), Northern California (the bay area), Sacramento Area, Kansas and Chilliwack British Columbia. We setup a large 40 foot by 80 foot layout on a large “W” or “E” shape. We had return loops on two of the ends, two yards and two engine facilities with turntables.
The Free-mo layout took second place for group layout and the Chilliwack yard and engine facilities took the Judges award.
To Free-mo or not to Free-mo
Submitted by bschremp on Fri, 10/30/2009 - 9:44pm.Free-mo holds many advantages for the occasional modeler with limited space. In considering "To free-mo or not to free-mo". I offer you the following youtube video's that offer a unique perspective of a free-mo setup. Log onto youtube's main page & search "Tracy's Shay Running at Supertrain" and or "2860 at Supertrain". Two videos that show about eighty percent of a two day show layout from the trailing car of two trains. The videos show the diversity in a layout that had twenty plus individual members modules, along with a group owned yard module.
