What is Free-mo?What is Free-mo?

Presentation by Presentation by Bob Schrempp, Free-mo SLOBob Schrempp, Free-mo SLO

Original Presentation By Perry Lambert, Original Presentation By Perry Lambert, Southern Kansas Free-moSouthern Kansas Free-mo

Additions By Mike Slater, SE Wisconsin Free-Additions By Mike Slater, SE Wisconsin Free-momo

Bob Schrempp, Free-mo SLOBob Schrempp, Free-mo SLO

What is Free-mo?What is Free-mo? Free-mo = FreeFree-mo = Free ModularModular

Free-mo is the latest in modular Free-mo is the latest in modular model railroading and was developed model railroading and was developed to take the boredom and monotony out to take the boredom and monotony out of running trains around a double or of running trains around a double or even a triple track mainline.even a triple track mainline.

Free-mo operates like a permanent or sectional layout but still retains its modularity. Freee-mo layouts are operated with a single track mainline in a point to loop, loop to loop, or point to point.

What is Free-mo?What is Free-mo? Layout sizes can vary to any size conceivable. The Layout sizes can vary to any size conceivable. The

Free-mo mainline is centered on a two foot end so Free-mo mainline is centered on a two foot end so modules can be inverted 180 degrees and still mate modules can be inverted 180 degrees and still mate up to the adjacent module with out modification to up to the adjacent module with out modification to wiring or track. The Free-mo mainline also takes wiring or track. The Free-mo mainline also takes advantage of strong industry support of code 83 rail.advantage of strong industry support of code 83 rail.

What is Free-mo?What is Free-mo? Free-mo's emphasis is on scenery and track flexibility. The Free-mo's emphasis is on scenery and track flexibility. The

standards just mandate the ends in which we join our standards just mandate the ends in which we join our module together, leaving the length and track configuration module together, leaving the length and track configuration up to the modeler. This in turn yields extremely flexible up to the modeler. This in turn yields extremely flexible standards that work! For example, you decide you want to standards that work! For example, you decide you want to build a module 5 feet 7 and 3/4 inches long with an angle build a module 5 feet 7 and 3/4 inches long with an angle of 19 degrees and a 2% grade, you could do it in Free-mo.of 19 degrees and a 2% grade, you could do it in Free-mo.

Free-mo enables the Free-mo enables the modeler's creativity to shine modeler's creativity to shine through their modules. No through their modules. No longer are modelers confined longer are modelers confined to 2 foot by 4, 6, or 8 feet. to 2 foot by 4, 6, or 8 feet. They may build a module to They may build a module to their own needs and dreams.their own needs and dreams.

Goals of Free-moGoals of Free-mo Single Track Mainline.Single Track Mainline.

Each module contributes to the larger picture Each module contributes to the larger picture when setup, the layout.when setup, the layout. Flat scenery profile at Free-mo Flat scenery profile at Free-mo interfacing end to allow scenery interfacing end to allow scenery to flow and blend together.to flow and blend together.

Emphasis on realistic Emphasis on realistic operation via DCC.operation via DCC.

Encouraged use of higher Encouraged use of higher quality materials.quality materials.

Goals of Free-moGoals of Free-mo

Pioneer newer/better Pioneer newer/better techniques and good techniques and good methods.methods.

No gimmicks, just No gimmicks, just good modelinggood modeling

Core Concepts of Free-moCore Concepts of Free-mo The Standards of Free-moThe Standards of Free-mo

Interface end 6” x 24”Interface end 6” x 24”

Core Concepts of Free-moCore Concepts of Free-mo Mainline track center is 12” Mainline track center is 12”

from the side on interfacing from the side on interfacing end.end.

Minimum radius 42”, Minimum radius 42”, preference to 48” +.preference to 48” +.

Mainline Track Code 83, Mainline Track Code 83, ballast color is Woodland ballast color is Woodland Scenics Fine Light Gray.Scenics Fine Light Gray.

Track height from floor 50” Track height from floor 50” nominal +/- 1”.nominal +/- 1”.

Core Concepts of Free-moCore Concepts of Free-mo With Free-mo, you can have With Free-mo, you can have

modules that exactly mimic the modules that exactly mimic the gentle curves and any other gentle curves and any other aspect of track and scenery aspect of track and scenery found on the prototype. Module found on the prototype. Module any angle, any length, self any angle, any length, self supporting. supporting.

Main feeder wires 22-24 AWG, Main feeder wires 22-24 AWG, bus12-14 AWG with male/female bus12-14 AWG with male/female connectors at each end.connectors at each end.

Three Methods of Free-moThree Methods of Free-mo

1.1. Module design Module design patterned after patterned after prototype location and prototype location and track arrangements, track arrangements, including scenery.including scenery.

Three Methods of Free-moThree Methods of Free-mo

2.2. Module design Module design loosely based upon loosely based upon prototype scene. prototype scene.

Three Methods of Free-moThree Methods of Free-mo

3.3. Module is free-lanced Module is free-lanced but still based on but still based on prototypical practices. prototypical practices. Fictitious module scene Fictitious module scene could have existed in could have existed in real. However, we real. However, we repeat our mantra…No repeat our mantra…No Gimmicks.Gimmicks.

Glen FrazierGlen FrazierConstructed By Gregg FuhrimanConstructed By Gregg Fuhriman

Glen FrazierGlen FrazierConstructed By Gregg FuhrimanConstructed By Gregg Fuhriman

Based upon the Based upon the prototype location in prototype location in California depicting California depicting Franklin Canyon on Franklin Canyon on the Santa Fe the Santa Fe Railroad circa mid Railroad circa mid 1990’s.1990’s.

Glen FrazierGlen FrazierConstructed By Gregg FuhrimanConstructed By Gregg Fuhriman

Features a 1200 Features a 1200 scale foot siding scale foot siding for passing on the for passing on the layout during layout during operation.operation.

WilcoxWilcoxConstructed by Ron WixonConstructed by Ron Wixon

Wilcox is loosely based upon Wilcox is loosely based upon Wilcox, Arizona.Wilcox, Arizona.

After much consideration, Ron After much consideration, Ron decided to go with keeping a decided to go with keeping a loose resemblance to the loose resemblance to the prototype location due to lighter prototype location due to lighter traffic density than what was traffic density than what was desired.desired.

WilcoxWilcoxConstructed by Ron WixonConstructed by Ron Wixon

Wilcox Wilcox emphasis is emphasis is on switching on switching operations.operations.

ShadinShadinConstructed By Gary GreenConstructed By Gary Green

ShadinShadinConstructed By Gary GreenConstructed By Gary Green

OperationOperation

Free-mo allows for Free-mo allows for realistic operation on realistic operation on modules. modules.

Conventional modules Conventional modules typically set up for a typically set up for a “Continuous Running” “Continuous Running” Scenario that is not Scenario that is not very fun to operate..very fun to operate..

OperationOperation

DCC and Free-mo, a DCC and Free-mo, a good mixgood mix..

Powered turnouts are Powered turnouts are more robust under more robust under heavy operating heavy operating sessions and more sessions and more resilient to moving than resilient to moving than the hand throw type.the hand throw type.

OperationOperation

A dispatcher handles A dispatcher handles meets via FRS meets via FRS handheld radio.handheld radio.

Signals….we got Signals….we got them too!them too!

ResearchResearch

InternetInternet BooksBooks Rail FanningRail Fanning MapsMaps

Watsonville JunctionWatsonville JunctionConstructed By Tim RunelsConstructed By Tim Runels

Setting UpSetting Up

All dimensions and All dimensions and modules for an event must modules for an event must be provided to a coordinator, be provided to a coordinator, no surprises.no surprises.

This is an example of a This is an example of a setup that was drawn setup that was drawn before an event. You must before an event. You must know limitations to fit in the know limitations to fit in the space available.space available.

Setting UpSetting Up

Divide and conquer, so Divide and conquer, so many modules, so little many modules, so little time.time.

This is Chris Palomarez’ This is Chris Palomarez’ pickup truck stuffed with pickup truck stuffed with 22 modules. Pre-22 modules. Pre-planning is essential, as planning is essential, as you can see.you can see.

Setting UpSetting UpJesus Peña’s North Bay Module Set

Setting UpSetting Up

Setting UpSetting Up

Set up modules first, arrange Set up modules first, arrange correctly, level, clamp correctly, level, clamp together, install fitter rails, together, install fitter rails, and repeat..and repeat..

Divide layout into booster Divide layout into booster blocks for DCC control.blocks for DCC control.

Scenery items.Scenery items.

Engines and Rolling stock Engines and Rolling stock are last.are last.

Free-mo GroupsFree-mo Groups

Green is a fully operational group, Yellow is an upstart group,Red markers indicate an abandoned group, Blue markers are status unknown

LinksLinks

http://www.free-mo.org http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Free-mohttp://groups.yahoo.com/group/Free-mo

There is a Free-mo There is a Free-mo layout on display at the layout on display at the

National Train Show with National Train Show with modules from California, modules from California,

Kansas and British Kansas and British ColumbiaColumbia

••Friday, July 8: 9:00am - Noon: Friday, July 8: 9:00am - Noon: Convention Registrants and Trade only Convention Registrants and Trade only

••Friday, July 8: Noon - 6:00pm: Public ShowFriday, July 8: Noon - 6:00pm: Public Show

••Saturday, July 9: 10:00am - 6:00pm: Public Saturday, July 9: 10:00am - 6:00pm: Public ShowShow

••Sunday, July 10: 10:00am - 5:00pm: Public Sunday, July 10: 10:00am - 5:00pm: Public ShowShow

NTS 2011 NTS 2011