General remarks for all modules

Information about the end-panels and special standards of specific gauges/scales you will find on the following pages:
H0 Europa, H0 USA, H0m, H0e, H0m RhB, 0, 0e, 0m, N, TT
(Not for all scales we have WWW-pages available in English yet)

On this page you will find information on:

parts of a modul - materials to use and to avoid - modulesizes - Supporting legs -
electric connection - rail connections - registration for meetings - literature
A drawing (66KB) by our member Ivo Cordes shows most of the subjects covered on this page.

Generals

Our modules show a single track line.
Every module of more then 500 mm length has to stand alone on own legs.
The modules are connected to each other with M8 nuts and bolts. The holes on the end-panels are of 12-14mm diameter. This method shall make sure, that the track can be connected properly under all circumstances - minor differences in the scenery will be accepted.
very modul should be marked with name of builder and owner.

The modulframe and its parts

Each modul consists of 2 standardized end-panels of the selected gage/scale - two longitudinal panels and the subroadbed plus additional supporting frames, if required. With larger modules, which consist of two or more sections, the internal end-panels will be of individual design, but we recommend to stay as close as possible to the standards (same bolts, same cables etc.) in order to assist setup of the complete layout.

modullength and sizes

The size of a moduls is at will but the standard end-panels should not be altered. The limits will be set by transport restrictions.
It is recommended either to limit the size of modules or sections in order that they can be handled by one person easily - also via stairs -, or to make then so large that noboby will even think of trying this. Any intermediate size will sooner or later result in damages to the modul or the carrier.

materials to use

We recommend plywood (min 10 mm) or "lumbercore"(AE)/"blockboard"(BE) (see remark)
Chipboard is too heavy and tends to be subject to damages by humidity and we recommend strongly against its use.
The end-panel supplied by the FREMO is made of Gabun plywood.
We recommend to paint the frame on the inside with the same quality of paint as the outside in order to prevent warping.

Connecting the wooden parts

The parts of a modul should be glued and screwed resp. doweled together.
It is of prime importance, that the subroadbed and the track join the end-panel perpendicular in both orientations.

Supporting frames

The module requires a supporting frame(s), which should keep the longitudinal panels at the choosen distance and supports the subroadbed. Both can be strengthend by using the L-girder technics accordingly. Any sagging of the subroadbed must be avoided by all means.

Modullegs

The length of each leg needs to be adjusted upto +- 10mm due to possible irregulaties of the floor. It is important to provide some support between the legs in order to minimize sway.
he most convinient way to get legs for your module is to order them at the FREMO-shop.

These consist of square aluminium tubes, which fit into supports made of steel, which in turn are fixed at the module. A machine screw in the support will squeeze the tube and the height can be varied quite easily. A little piece of wood fixed above the support will prevent the tube to be pushed through the scenery if the screw is not properly fixed.

Legs can be made of wood as well (below)

Our H0usa group uses pairs of wooden legs, which can be adapted for other modules as necessary.

The electric connection of the Modules

is never made via rail joiners, but via cables and 4mm plugs - the exact standards differ from scale to scale.

Rail joints between modules

are maintained by proper alignment of the modules as above. The rails have to touch the end-panel perpendicular and have to be fixed (soldered to screws etc.) near the edge of the module.
The track should end short (about 0.1/0.2 mm) of the end of the module to avoid electrical and mechanical contact. The gauge can be made a little wider by filing the rails slightly. Rail joiners or loose tracks are not allowed.

	Solid connection of the rails by soldering to brass screws
	End of rails and the edge of the module. The slanting is drawn larger for clarity

FREMO-handheld controller

is used on all our layouts and is also very popular with other clubs.
Further information on separate page.
Between the controller and the tracks some sort of assignment circuit is used - details vary in the different layouts.

As we have changed now from DC to DCC, we replaced the analog trottle as described above with 'FRED'. FRED is a LocoNet device and looks like the old analog throttle.

Additional items for operational modules

Some sort of support should be provided for car-cards, timetables, beerglasses or coffee-jugs, WAC, loads and 'offstage' cars.

Registration of the module

Every finished module should be reported to the FREMO with a 1:10 drawing, showing main dimensions. Further information is required for operational modules (lenght of passing tracks, information about the modeled industries and their demand for cars etc)

Literature

Rieche, Rieche, Schubert, Wieland: Modellbahn-Module bauen, Alba-Verlag Düsseldorf 1993; ISBN 3-87094-573-7
MIBA-Spezial 26 - Module und Segmente, Miba-Verlag Nürnberg 1995
These two books in German language were, for the greater part, written by FREMO-members.

Barrow, David: Outline for operation; Model Railroader, June, August and October 1995
Barrow, David: Build the Cat Mountain's South Plains District, Model Railroader September, October and November 1996
Despite David's "Dominos" are no modules (they have no standard interface), the describtions and drawings in these articles give valuable information about light and strong construction of sections/modules.

remarks:
'lumbercore'/'blockboard' - in German:"Tischlerplatte"
- it consists of several wooden bars or sticks glued together in one, thicker, layer (like a brickwall) and a ply of veneer on both sides, orientated across the bars - back to main text