cromptonnut Posted August 15, 2015 Share Posted August 15, 2015 Morning all Everything seems to have gone very quiet around these parts. We had our successful first modular meet, which I guessed a lot of people might have been waiting for to see whether "the theory" actually worked. But I'd have expected a flurry of activity with people making starts on new modules (as a lot showed interest but were hesitant) or perhaps the announcement of a couple of planned meets. We are tentatively discussing a SECAG 2016 meet over in our area, but building work at the venue means we are unable to really discuss or secure a date as yet. But that doesn't mean that other people in different areas of the UK can't think about it - I know a couple of dates were suggested but for various reasons they fell through - and I don't want to be the sole "pusher" of RMweb Modular with a tiny pool of people as it slowly fades into oblivion. I haven't seen much "support from management" lately although I do accept that this is just one of many ongoing projects and ideas. I'm seriously hoping that this isn't going the way of the Norwegian Blue, but unless there is activity soon I can see the momentum dropping off and nothing further happening. The various modules I had built and/or have under construction do mean that they were designed to come together anyway as a standalone layout eventually so my time and investment will not be totally wasted, but I can't (and shouldn't need to) do this alone. Am I though...? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Joseph_Pestell Posted August 15, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 15, 2015 I think that most such projects go through a similar phase between initial inventive phase and full implementation. I have not been able to do any modelling at all recently due to work commitments but I still believe in the idea (but perhaps have a more optimistic view having been involved in many such projects in France). Perhaps late in the year, I will be able to find time to build my junction station module (based on Appledore). It won't actually take too long once underway. I think that for the BritMod (or whatever we are calling it now) to succeed, you need: a) Support from one of the magazines by way of a series (3?) of articles; B) Some exhibition managers who will back the idea by allocating some space at their shows. At a two day show, you could even demonstrate the concept by reconfiguring the "layout" on the Saturday night! Edit: that should not be an emoticon. It should be a letter b followed by a bracket. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cromptonnut Posted August 15, 2015 Author Share Posted August 15, 2015 I think that for the BritMod (or whatever we are calling it now) to succeed, you need: a) Support from one of the magazines by way of a series (3?) of articles If only RMWeb had close connections to one of the magazines... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickBrad Posted August 20, 2015 Share Posted August 20, 2015 I certainly like and believe in the idea, having read all of the content in this section of the forum on and off over the past couple of months. Unfortunately my living space at the moment is such that I barely have space for my existing small shunting layout, but as soon as I find somewhere more suitable to live, I plan to build a layout to these specs so if a meet is organised closer to me in 2016/17, I can participate. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zomboid Posted August 20, 2015 Share Posted August 20, 2015 I think one of the things which appeals about modular in general is the possibility of making a 3 foot long scenic only module, which is perfect for a lack of space situation. A lack of time situation is a bit more of a problem, but a tiny module doesn't have to take a huge time commitment... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Stubby47 Posted August 20, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 20, 2015 If only RMWeb had close connections to one of the magazines... Chris Leigh is often on here. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cromptonnut Posted August 20, 2015 Author Share Posted August 20, 2015 I think one of the things which appeals about modular in general is the possibility of making a 3 foot long scenic only module, which is perfect for a lack of space situation. A lack of time situation is a bit more of a problem, but a tiny module doesn't have to take a huge time commitment... I've got a variety of modules, built, under construction and planned, that can work as standalone boards or can join together to make my own layout - and, being modular, would fit into various different configurations as space is available, meaning it's of maximum value to exhibition organisers for that odd space that needs filling, and if the layout next door drops out, I just stick a couple more boards in the car! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold roundhouse Posted August 20, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 20, 2015 After converting Fort Myers to work as a module for Freemo, giving it new life, I will certainly plan my next OO scale layout to do the same. I just dont know when that might be though. On the other hand I might end up with my old OO scale layout back in the not too distant future which will be rebuilt and that will then be modified so it can be a module, albiet a terminus. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cromptonnut Posted August 20, 2015 Author Share Posted August 20, 2015 After converting Fort Myers to work as a module for Freemo, giving it new life, I will certainly plan my next OO scale layout to do the same. I just dont know when that might be though. On the other hand I might end up with my old OO scale layout back in the not too distant future which will be rebuilt and that will then be modified so it can be a module, albiet a terminus. Termini are good - as long as we have a junction to make a branch off the main line with Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold PaulRhB Posted August 20, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 20, 2015 While I'd converted my existing layout to be compatible it wasn't really designed from the start with it in mind but was a quick fix. Lulworth unfortunately missed out due to personal reasons and one of the other boards has been converted to US Freemo for now but I am intending to build the next station on the Lulworth branch specifically to work better with the modular idea. This means Creech will have a longer loop to accommodate more than 2 coaches without shunt release. The advantage is it can be used with Lulworth at home. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dungrange Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 I agree that things seem to have gone quiet on this section of the forum of late, but that doesn't necessarily mean that no-one is interested in seeing the concept develop further. I am still aiming to complete my first module for the end of year RMWeb Challenge deadline, but unfortunately haven't had as much time as I had hoped over the last few weeks (but that is another story), so progress has been slow and not worth reporting. That said, I'm too remote from the SECAG participants to participate in a future meet in that part of the country and I doubt that a meet 'up north' will be viable for a while. Realistically, I think it will take several years for any sort of momentum to develop and we are probably looking at 2017 at the earliest before there is any sort of national meet. Whilst the SECAG meet in June proved the concept, it was not without issues, which still need to be addressed, in particular, double track modules weren't tested and I think there is a need for more modules of any description, but particularly junctions and the like. Whilst it is relatively easy to start with a few simple scenic modules, the larger, more complex and more interesting modules will take longer to come together. Then there is also the electrical issues that were encountered and hopefully will be overcome at your next event. What I am hoping will come out of the current Challenge is a database that indicates modules and their location and if these locations are displayed on a map of the UK, then it would be easier to see where there will be sufficient critical mass to take things forward in 2016/17. If that were published on RMWeb, then it may even encourage others to have a go and build something if they see that there are other modules not too far from where they live. At the moment, the Brit-Mod-00 concept is only at the stage of trying to get enough people interested to have a go. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Stubby47 Posted August 25, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 25, 2015 As with the SWAG Members Day module project, having a set date and place for a meeting helps to motivate the progress. The modules have grown in quality and the physical issues found assessed and overcome. Don't be disheartened by the seeming lack of enthusiasm, I'm sure when a firm date is announced there will be plenty of participants. As for meetings further north ( or west ), it does take at least one person to drive the idea. Once these regional groups are established, then a national meet is the logical extension, possibly somewhere like Warley ( from my recollection of my only visit, there did seem to be a large area of the hall unused). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Evil Bus Driver Posted August 29, 2015 Share Posted August 29, 2015 I'm going to have a go at making a couple of experimental modules to start off, but as always in my case time and money is the issue at the moment. In a couple of weeks I'll head out to the wood place and see if i can get some decent ply. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cromptonnut Posted August 29, 2015 Author Share Posted August 29, 2015 Hi Mr Bus Driver Remember modules can be little more than a straight length of single track, as long as the end meets the standards, the rail is at the right height and it's electrically compatible, everything else is a bonus. Even scenery is non-essential (although it of course helps!) Obviously there is always a cost in these things (even just the boards) but it doesn't need to have 20 points on it to be useful. Curves and corners are always a good thing though, as are junctions. You are very welcome to join the next SECAG meet - when we fix a date - in Merstham, not far from the M23/M25 junction. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Evil Bus Driver Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 Cool. I'll try out a plain straight and maybe a curve after that. Kind of to dip my toe into the water so to speak. I'll definitely come if I am off work at the time. Looks like I'll be picking up some DCC chips soon then lol Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Evil Bus Driver Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 OK I'll see what i can knock up when I have time. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cromptonnut Posted August 31, 2015 Author Share Posted August 31, 2015 Even if you have no chipped or sound fitted locos, the rest of us always bring a few spares, so if you have a favourite set of stock you've weathered/detailed and are proud of, we'll happily give it a drag We run to a 'free for all' timetable and no specific period A basic chip can be got for £15-20, and if your loco is DCC ready then it's a case of remove body, plug in chip, replace body (more or less - although some are more complicated than others). Keep the blanking plate and you can remove the chip if it doesn't work out for you - and there's always a market for second hand chips anyway. By default we've used Lenz controllers on all of our previous (*cough* one) meet but in the future it may be that we use a different type of control equipment. But as all DCC chips generally work with all ranges of controller, especially at the basic level, you could pick up a cheap EZ-Command or Dynamis set (or even buy a controller plus train set) just to 'test the waters'. I'm sure there are other SECAG members near enough to you to help with any DCC related or installation queries - but you're probably better off doing that over in our area group rather than in this thread. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eke Posted September 29, 2015 Share Posted September 29, 2015 Hi all of you! To inspire you to carry on with your modules, here is a link to a thread in our swedish module forum where there is some pictures from our last meeting a week ago in Timmele! Scroll down a little for the first pictures! http://www.modulsyd.se/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=1799&start=20 There were one H0-layout layout and a smaller american N-scale layout, and a lot of nice people to hang around with for a weekend! Greetings from Sweden Eke Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cromptonnut Posted September 29, 2015 Author Share Posted September 29, 2015 Some great work there Eke - I particularly liked that big bridge over the river valley. There is certainly plenty of life in modular systems around the world, which are well established, and even in American and N gauge modelling itself in the UK - but it was simply the relative quiet surrounding our own UK based, UK prototype modular system which is of course new. Naturally, as we are new, we are still getting established - although I fully expect that the other modular systems went through similar growing pains some years back as they added detail to their own standards and arranged more and more meetings. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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