murrayec

Yes Walter When I saw that diorama in Parks Hotel I thought of modular system- it also spurred me on to get at the Martellow Tower thingie! murrayec

Hi irishthump Most modular systems seem to be running them by DCC. This will have to be discussed with the modellers that get involved- I think it would be great the have a dual system so that analogue could run to- there is a lot of analogue users out there. I know this might cause a lot of difficulty and discussion but we should at least look at the possibility and the problems. murrayec

Ah just worked it out pdf drawings and spec sheets Modular OO Layout-00 Sep 13 2013 Prelim Drawings.pdf Free-mo Standard-00.pdf IRM NMRA 00 Modular Layout Spec - Prelim Sep 2013.pdf murrayec

Hi All Here are a few sketches and extracts from NMRA & free-mo for discussion;- Anyone know how to attach a pdf to a post? - I have the drawings and thinned out versions of the NMRA & free-mo specs in pdf format. murrayec

Hi Walter Looks excellent, your up and running already murrayec

Slightly bigger scale, though it is up country where some of our mythology stories are based 'Launches for Giants'... murrayec

I love planes, I have a few, remote control Spitfire and a trainer Bobcat. And loads of kits in boxes, not made yet and Boats- live steam launches murrayec

Now your talking; get the aviation thread boys on board? murrayec

Not complicating the issue at all, more difficult means that there has to be a system in place for a circuit which involves the community track boards where a liner set up can be just modellers creations. A circuit layout will fit into small display space easier than a liner one. I should have a few preliminary layouts to look at and return comments. murrayec

Oh I got an enquiry from a non posting member asking if he built Kilkenny station could he connect up and see the DART run through on a special excursion!! murrayec

Hi Dave I'm committed- I cant wait to put the Martellow Tower on a 12x6 and to complete my drawings on Dun Laoghaire station I think it is a bit early in the planning stage just now for some to grasp what's is involved as the spec is not yet agreed. Also we should allow a bit more time for members to find this thread and come on board. Though no problem doing head count along the way murrayec

Hi Broithe That's a good point on the board abutments- length does not matter on a liner layout and will always work regardless of who turns up to show. A circuit has the problem of- for each modeller's creation their has to be an equal size creation or community track to close the circuit- a little more difficult? murrayec

Hi IrishModelRail I'd love to see that one of Donabate with the two estuaries, I'd love to see all your suggestions. You have the same problem I have, and I think most people into this idea- I want to build them all!! Move over to 'Modular OO Layout' thread in Irish Model Layouts and input your ideas Deadly we are up to Drogheda now- huge! murrayec

Hi Dave I going through the NMRA Module specification and think this is a good idea;- The track is left short 50mm at each end of the board, when the boards come together a short length of track of 100mm is inserted and fish-plated up- this means the track joins are 50mm away from the board joins. Insulated fish-plates would be the ideal to use for this, easy to slide in position with a tweezers. Legs should also have height adjustment bolts to level the boards What do you think? murrayec

I saw a youtube video of the first two DARTs sitting in the depot - I had the idea of a model of the shed with one side open with this scene and another of a DART under service or re-painting! Some say Dort in the south but the most I hear is Daaarrt! murrayec

Hi That other link BosKnoay posted - take a look at the photos on the page and read the text to the side. I think their simple concept is good? http://royersfordmodular.org/Modules.html murrayec

Hi Rich The point about board standard- this would be part of the specification and modellers would have to comply for it to fit in? I was talking with a fellow modeller this morning about the idea and we thought of this;- 'Bring your Train' to get the public aware and support the concept, we invite people to bring their trains along to the show to run them. The trains are put into a queue, hooked up to rolling stock and then run through the layout! This is really no different to us running our trains on it, plus it gets everyone involved. murrayec

Hi Rich Yes I mention that in a previous post- we would have to set-up some community boards;- A. 90Deg bends B. A few standard boards with straight through track c. Fiddle yard- table with cross-slide multipal track for loading up trains If we have this facility then small to large layouts would work if someone does not turn up! murrayec

Hi All Good link BosKnoay, everyone into this idea should have a read of this page;- http://www.free-mo.org/standard They have some good ideas and this could give us a text template to work with. The sketches I have set-up so far, are very close to this. It doesn't really matter what the boards are made of, they just have to be sturdy, same height and fit the specification for track joining. The free-mo.org idea of using C-clamps under the board on the down-stand to join tables is a good idea- nothing sticking out the sides! Though pin & socket locators should still be used, metal ones can be the electrical connections between the boards? I will hopefully finish the drawings for discussion over the weekend Again anyone have a network layout? Hey, Walter where have you been- its good to hear from you murrayec

Hi Dave I have a number of sketches set up on the track connection between boards, still needs work though but will post it up for all to comment soon. Code 100 track- that's 3 votes up so far. I agree if someone wants to build 1, 2 or 20 boards its OK, though we cannot let it get to big so that it wont fit a display area! More discussion on this is needed. If people build with a home layout and the group module layout in mind, I hope not- but if it should stall there is no loss to the builder. murrayec

Hi Rich & Glenderg Great thoughts there Rich, though I kind of agree with Glenderg- that we should allow for all comers if it can be integrated. And yes an overall preliminary design scheme should be designed as a pattern to work to. Anyone got a rail network diagram or can they point me to one? Hey, Glenderg are you discriminating against our Southern Skanger! They are of stunning quality and can throw scratchbuilt tinnies with the best of them, Canal's! we don't need Canals we have the Sunken Track and Metals through Dun Laoghaire- perfect for lobbing those tinnies at the passing trains! Not to sure of that's how to spell 'Skanger' murrayec

Hi Glenderg The middle option came from looking at Dun Laoghaire, Blackrock and that area, where the seafront is adjacent the line- centre works best. For curved track layouts the board can be bigger than 1200x600mm as long as it hooks up. If you mean curve on the track between say Dun Laoghaire & Blackrock- that's difficult;- long curves would have to be over two boards and may not have a key feature except the sea wall and shore on it, lovely to have but who would build it, people will build key feature boards that could be used on home layouts. This does need more discussion and thought. Croke Park, Malahide;- Deadly we just jumped the river! We will need an air plane hanger Keep the ideas coming murrayec

Hi Riversuir226 I was thinking about that one also! It would be fabulous to have on a layout because its prototypical, but it is awful stuff. One thought I had is;- if someone does it that's fine, if its made clear at the start that the layout beside may not have it, it's their decision to do it. I know some will say that could be messy but as the layout moves on this could be developed. There are a number of things like this we would have to discuss and have guidelines and aspirations for the layout. Though my view is- people will be modelling to their ability and monitory input as long as the board complies with the Main Line Track specification- position on boards and the like- hey lets join it up please. Another one I thought of is;- what if we end up with two boards with the same feature! murrayec

Hi Dave discussed 1200x600mm boards because the cut from one sheet of MDF with the least waste Using this as the preliminary module size we would have to look at setting a standard so the boards can come together in different configurations. I see the main line as straight running the 1200mm length of the board, so the boards join end to end. 90deg bends will have to be designed for layout space purpose. If someone is building Blackrock Station say, to have a descent size platform two boards would be required- working at that scale a group layout will be big! Boards can go side to side to incorporate side track-work say Dun Laoghaire Station, Pierce Street and the like. If I was to build my idea of the Carlisle Pier the board would be 90deg to the main line. The back of the layout boards probably should be flush and have a scenic backdrop. Dalkey Hill is the only big bend in the line- that the bend is the feature. Bray Head is a bend feature to- what an amazing one to do! I reckon the spectator views the scene from the sea- ah this sets a starting point to locate the main line on a board, the closest point the track comes to the sea! There would have to be space between the feature boards- initially things will be close, but over time the layout could fill out as more feature boards are added. Track specification should probably be the most common? Control of main line- digital is the most apt for this, many controllers along the layout Side tracks controlled locally at that board. Here is a rough sketch incorporating some of the above ideas, its based on a Dun Laoghaire Station idea;- The size is intimidating, if a thing like this was to catch on we would need a lot of display space! While doing this sketch I think the main line track is best running in the centre of the boards- this allows for detail on either side of the tracks. What have you got to say?...... murrayec

Oops I put this in the wrong place, I have asked the guys to fix murrayec