RMWeb Modular Meet 2 - Hampshire - NOW CANCELLED

[BlueLightning]

While I haven't responded yet, I have every intention of bringing Hailsham, which is 13ft, I just want to get it setup and fully tested before I respond.

 

Gary

[Zomboid]

Having to many modules available is a nice problem to have. Though I would temper that with the fact that many of the modules don't actually exist yet, and there looks to be a heavy reliance on Joseph.

I'd favour a smaller private event, though I have just emailed my local primary school to at least get an idea.

I'd also not be offended if Grand Lake didn't fit - it is an American HO module after all; I remain willing to bring it of course, but I was imagining a shortage rather then excess of modules...

[Adamphillip]

my station should be ready by May as I've just finished getting all the wiring components

[cromptonnut]

Having to many modules available is a nice problem to have. Though I would temper that with the fact that many of the modules don't actually exist yet, and there looks to be a heavy reliance on Joseph.

I'd favour a smaller private event, though I have just emailed my local primary school to at least get an idea.

I'd also not be offended if Grand Lake didn't fit - it is an American HO module after all; I remain willing to bring it of course, but I was imagining a shortage rather then excess of modules...

 

We are now up to "U" having added in a couple more forms returned.  Of course there may be some modules that aren't needed or don't fit in - and I'd prefer to do that to those with multiple modules rather than those bringing one module - but as I said above, there are at least 3 people that haven't yet returned their forms including two complete layouts I know of.  Hence my thought of changing the venue now before any money is paid out to hire the hall, in anticipation of further contributions or, simply being able to lay things out somewhat better.

 

 

my station should be ready by May as I've just finished getting all the wiring components

 

Let me know if you want the forms sent over.

[Zomboid]

Well at least with the number of modules that will be knocking around it should be possible to connect them up on more than a quad-annual basis

 

I have several half baked plans to consider if this keeps flapping until it gets liftoff...

[cromptonnut]

Well at least with the number of modules that will be knocking around it should be possible to connect them up on more than a quad-annual basis

 

I have several half baked plans to consider if this keeps flapping until it gets liftoff...

 

I'm quite happy to have more meets - and very happy for others to organise them as well, not just in the south but anywhere in the country where people are willing to go to.  "Dave" is not a SECAG thing, we just seem to be the only ones that have managed to get a few people together to make it work.  It wouldn't have been 4 years then

[Zomboid]

I'm quite happy to put my weight behind it, I reckon we could manage a semi-regular thing (2/3 per year) in the Hants/ Wilts area once some of the theoretical modules exist.

[Coxswain]

If we can fill the space the museum sounds good to me. Wouldn't make it an event or exclusive hire though

[cromptonnut]

I'm quite happy to put my weight behind it, I reckon we could manage a semi-regular thing (2/3 per year) in the Hants/ Wilts area once some of the theoretical modules exist.

 

SWAG have their regular meetups so there's no reason why a small group of us couldn't do a similar thing, although of course for the modular meet we have a number of people coming quite some distance that may not be able to make it to a curry night, for example.  But nothing would make me happier than other people organising a modular meet, of course people will have their own ways of organising things and that's great but I am happy to offer advice from my extensive experience of organising these (well both) events...

[Chimer]

Hi 'Nut

 

You're currently being very accommodating to everybody.  It's great that your resurrection of the idea has produced so much interest but it might be wiser, at least this time, to keep it comparatively small, local and controllable, rather than expand, incur extra costs, and then perhaps be let down by non-materialising modules / layouts.  If my (currently non-existent) module was not required come showtime, I would still be happy to turn up to meet people and see how it works, and would still contribute a share of the costs.  There are going to be learning curves both in terms of assembly and operations - if it gets too big, we might never get to the point where we can actually run a train!

 

Yours cautiously

 

Chris

[Zomboid]

From the Freemo events I've attended, it can take quite a long time to get things set up and any issues ironed out. Obviously the larger the final layout the longer this can take, and the huge setups I've seen have been at 2 day events (occasionally with the Friday evening being used to get some things built as well).

[cromptonnut]

You're currently being very accommodating to everybody.  It's great that your resurrection of the idea has produced so much interest but it might be wiser, at least this time, to keep it comparatively small, local and controllable, rather than expand, incur extra costs, and then perhaps be let down by non-materialising modules / layouts.  If my (currently non-existent) module was not required come showtime, I would still be happy to turn up to meet people and see how it works, and would still contribute a share of the costs.  There are going to be learning curves both in terms of assembly and operations - if it gets too big, we might never get to the point where we can actually run a train!

 

Part of the 'commitment' is that you will have your module(s) at a functional state by the time of the meeting, ie boards made and track wired up even if every siding isn't working (bung a few wagons in there) the points are still thrown by hand rather than your fancy route-setting panel, and scenery consists of little more than marker pen lines showing what goes where.  If anyone has misunderstood this and wishes to withdraw anything already submitted (with a view to future reinstatement) please let me know. 

 

It would be highly embarrassing to get to the day and find that we only have enough modules to fill the original hall!  I would much rather try and add in something with 3 months to go, than pull it out a week before and find that we don't have enough corners or junctions to fit in half the modules that are coming.

[cromptonnut]

From the Freemo events I've attended, it can take quite a long time to get things set up and any issues ironed out. Obviously the larger the final layout the longer this can take, and the huge setups I've seen have been at 2 day events (occasionally with the Friday evening being used to get some things built as well).

 

Last time we were up and running in an hour and a half, which included aligning and levelling things.  I pick a 'keystone' module which is usually about half way along the assemblage along a wall, get that in more or less the exact spot, then with everyone else having got their modules assembled and roughly in the right spot, we can then simply manhandle assembled units into place, clamp up, adjust legs to level as appropriate, and do the next one with a test train being driven along each module to ensure any electrical issues are identified immediately and can be rectified (usually it's simply positive and negative cables between boards need swapping). 

 

Large modules do, of course need multiple hands and that may slow progress slightly but assuming everyone followed the electrical standards properly things do go together; but "making it work" can often be fun in itself especially with a dozen minds and pairs of eyes being able to troubleshoot together.  It's also why I leave a couple of feet around the hall, not just as a walkway but to accommodate that 6" extension that someone "forgot to mention" and inaccuracies in my simple method of hall planning.

 

I think it'll be a good few years yet until we reach the size of the Fremo/Freemo arrangements that I've seen!

Edited July 15, 2018 by cromptonnut

[Zomboid]

So just some of my experiences: I've been to a few larger 2 day Freemo events, and the pattern there has generally been that nothing moves much before lunch on Saturday, construction starting well before 9am (I've never been on the Sunday so I don't know about packing it away).

 

I also attend the Bearwood American group where we typically have a modular layout every month, usually comprising 6-8 modules (including scenic "spacers"), and that usually takes about 90 mins to be up and running, and about 30-40 to pack away. [Anyone interested in seeing some American modules in action/ playing with them in Bournemouth let me know and I'll put you in touch with the group, there's other groups around too - sign up to the Freemo Connect newsletter here for details: https://www.nmrabr.org.uk/freemo-connect]

[Satan's Goldfish]

I'll focus on laying track on the 45 degree curve board then chap and just bring that 1. Found my box of components and connectors removed from my previous 'Dave' boards so should be quick to sort out.

[cromptonnut]

I'll focus on laying track on the 45 degree curve board then chap and just bring that 1. Found my box of components and connectors removed from my previous 'Dave' boards so should be quick to sort out.

 

I don't think I've had your forms back yet?  Small (4ft) boards are easy to fit in anywhere, it's the big modules (16ft complete layouts and convert boards) that I was struggling with

 

I've been working in the shed with my new bench saw I bought last week as it was on offer as an early birthday present and it's made life so much easier, got the boards built for the "Lyme Reg-ish" project which features on the plan, and with a little bit of tweaking moved the single track at the end of what was the middle board to the 9" midpoint so the engine shed and overbridge is on the first (angled) board meaning it can be condensed into an 8ft module should it be required just needing some plain track to attach it to in order to provide a run-round/headshunt facility.  But for the moment, sunshine stops play as it's too hot in the shed, and at least if I'm tracklaying in 30 degrees I don't have to worry too much about heat expansion...

[teetrix]

Regarding big or small hall: How much room would the stage area provide?  I think only a couple of module has to have proper short legs, with some pieces of suitable timber clamped to the others... Or some new modules will be built with short legs which can be lenghtened later...

 

Michael

[cromptonnut]

Regarding big or small hall: How much room would the stage area provide?  I think only a couple of module has to have proper short legs, with some pieces of suitable timber clamped to the others... Or some new modules will be built with short legs which can be lenghtened later...

 

Michael

 

It isn't much, it's only about 15ft x 15ft.  Not really a significant amount of space given our generous 7ft diameter curves.  That also assumes of course that everything else could be jigged to make a convenient junction fit into somewhere to connect it to the rest of the assemblage.

 

So far nobody has threatened to pull out if we go for the larger, less private venue which is a good thing I suppose, as it would be most awkward to lose people to the point of being able to fill the small hall!  But no final decision can really be made until a quote comes back from the venue as to whether it may increase costs.  That obviously would be a 'make or break' situation if it's that big a difference.  I remain confident that it won't be too crazy.

[Chimer]

For the avoidance of any doubt, though my last post kind of suggested sticking, I'm still in if you twist  .

 

Chris

[cromptonnut]

Hi guys

 

I've had confirmation from the museum that they are happy to offer us the space as indicated in my previous post for the same £10 per person rate as the village hall.  

 

Obviously the 'downside' to this is that there will be members of the general public allowed into the venue, although our area will be cordoned off but visible.  I believe that this isn't a big problem, and am very happy to prepare a leaflet explaining the principles of Modular and why we are doing what we are doing, to deal with any questions.  I can also update the SECAG website (which is badly out of date) with many of the basic questions too.  It just means there may be the odd distraction if people want to ask questions.

 

I am confident that the revised, larger space will suit our needs and that we will still have a good day, but before I confirm to the museum could I please ask everyone to confirm that they are happy or raise any issues/concerns/objections before making a final decision.

 

Many thanks

 

'Nut

[BlueLightning]

I am happy with the new location! and a leaflet sounds like a great idea!!

 

Gary

[Zomboid]

I've no objection to the venue, but I have got a couple of questions:

 

- How does the £10/person work? Have you been given a price and divided it by the number of expected attendees, or is the museum charging us on a per head basis?

- I also note that the museum is open 10-4.30, would we have access outside that window (for example, being able to start setting up from 9 feels like it would be beneficial)?

[cromptonnut]

I've no objection to the venue, but I have got a couple of questions:

 

- How does the £10/person work? Have you been given a price and divided it by the number of expected attendees, or is the museum charging us on a per head basis?

- I also note that the museum is open 10-4.30, would we have access outside that window (for example, being able to start setting up from 9 feels like it would be beneficial)?

 

I did discuss whether it would be a fixed sum (apart from the £1,000 for exclusive hire for the day) or on a per person basis, and his response was "I can offer you £10 per head, if you’re happy to set up shop in the area that we discussed – along with the cordoned off zone." which is your second option, and preferable as it means if someone drops out we don't have a shortfall.  It's also worth noting that normal admission price is £12, group rate £11 so we are effectively having a day out at the museum at a discount, and getting floor space and the opportunity to play trains for free!  I'll discuss with him if us paying on the day is acceptable, as that then means I don't need to mess about with gathering money in advance … and the cheque(s) I have got in advance I can just return or destroy; this I can discuss with those relevant off-forum.

 

Regarding opening hours, they are usually around from 8.30am - 6.00pm or thereabouts (obviously there's cleaning and things that the volunteers do before and after opening hours), so the "turn up from 9" should still work for us.  I did discuss this with the guy and he didn't seem to think it'd be an issue, the hangar doors will be open and the final information pack I'll be sending out a couple of weeks before the event to all participants will confirm the exact details, and it will most likely be "enter car park, go through gate in right hand corner, and look for the massive open door and other people dragging bits of model railway in"

[Zomboid]

I'd ask what's in it for them, but I guess it's not likely that any of us would have gone to the museum otherwise, at least on that date...

I'm happy enough with the proposal, even if it eventually turns out that the village hall would have been big enough...

[cromptonnut]

I'd ask what's in it for them, but I guess it's not likely that any of us would have gone to the museum otherwise, at least on that date...

I'm happy enough with the proposal, even if it eventually turns out that the village hall would have been big enough...

 

Income, basically.  Like many volunteer run places, income is at a premium and outside of the school holidays visitor numbers tend to be fairly low; it's also kinda a specialist interest and something you might spend a couple of hours at but it isn't a full day out so combining a visit with another attraction for a family of 4 including lunch could turn out to be a very expensive family day out.  On a quiet average Sunday they may only get 50 visitors.

 

As it stands right now, the village hall is 'full' with knowing of 2 complete layouts that have said they are coming but not returned the form just yet to fit in, plus at least two other potential interested parties - plus whatever tags along in the meantime.  As the larger venue won't be costing us any additional expenses per person, it makes sense to go with the larger venue as it means even if we have more space than needed, it does allow a better arrangement of modules rather than some rather convoluted curves trying to make everything fit.  There are no walls in the way, just the barriers we set up, and if we need to shove that out 2ft one way to accommodate something then that's much easier than trying to do it with a brick wall!  It's also a bit more complicated this time given that we have both single and double track modules offered whereas last time it was pretty much all single track and thus much less hassle to plan.

Edited July 18, 2018 by cromptonnut