Jump to content
 

Freemo in the UK?


Recommended Posts

I've added some names to mine, but I think these are correct on Steve's pic - roughly from L to R:

(Please let me know if I get any wrong, names are really not my strong point!)

 

 

 

In the foreground, with the clipboard (working by process of elimination so please correct me if i've assumed wrong) I think is Peter from up in this thread, just dealing with a minor 'ground fault' I think is Paul Tucker

 

 

Yep that's Paul and I, Peter Chapman, and apart from a slight stall that was our only need of "the hand of God" for problems, which I also found impressive for a collection of modules bought out of storage by different people and just put together that morning. The locos all seeemed to run beautifully and all the couplers worked well, which makes me realise how much work I have to do on my stock after an initial ebay frenzy!

 

Cheers,

 

Peter.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Like others, I am disappointed that I missed it (had to exhibit one of my UK layouts elsewhere that day <_< ).

 

Martyn - looking forward to your ensemble at the Trent Valley show.

 

Would it be your intention to let other peple "have a go" there?

Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi Nick - it could be done, not sure whether we're 'doing the ops thing' to the same degree there or not, I think we'd assumed we'd do that a little more conventionally there - do you want me to talk to the guys going and see what we can do?

Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi Nick - it could be done, not sure whether we're 'doing the ops thing' to the same degree there or not, I think we'd assumed we'd do that a little more conventionally there - do you want me to talk to the guys going and see what we can do?

 

It's your call, Martyn. It was just a thought given the positive feedback you got on last weekend.

 

If you did decide that it was an option, we would need to give some thought to how we would control it as you don't want the room overcrowded! On the other hand, you don't want to restrict access so that other people don't get a look in. Maybe somehting along the lines of time slots where people can book ahead 20 - 30 minutes of operation.

 

What do you think?

Link to post
Share on other sites

Good points all Nick.

I think it would be quite hard to do 'open access' thinking about it - i'm of the mind to still use the ops printouts anyway having given it some thought - so maybe just leave it that if folk are particularly interested come and ask and they might get to be 'conductor' to one of our crews?

Link to post
Share on other sites

Good points all Nick.

I think it would be quite hard to do 'open access' thinking about it - i'm of the mind to still use the ops printouts anyway having given it some thought - so maybe just leave it that if folk are particularly interested come and ask and they might get to be 'conductor' to one of our crews?

 

Fine with me, Martyn.

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 2 months later...

Feels like a long time since I added to this thread, although in reality it's only a couple of months - this is just a quick post about the two shows we have modules appearing at during June, the first of which is just a month or so away - both very different events but both well worth a visit if you can make one or the other (or even both!) Either show will be a good opportunity to talk about modular railroading, operations (we should be using JMRI 'ops' to generate switchlists at both those) or anything else really, do come and interrupt us! :)

 

First up we have TVNAM, at Armitage, Staffs, on the 16th June - this show should definately be on your annual hitlist if you're a fan of North American outline modelling with lots of layouts and specialist trade support.

Show website with more info here: http://www.tvnam.co.uk/

Show thread on RMWeb here: http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/49923-trent-valley-north-american-modellers-2012-show/

And a bit more here: http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/56343-just-a-gentle-nudge/

 

For this one 4 of our group will be heading North bringing several modules, we should end up with something resembling an 'around the walls' shelf style layout in one of the side rooms - the rough arrangement is shown below. There's a good chance there will also be an additional module debuting from another source also which isn't shown on that plan, but you'll have to make-do with just a teaser as I don't want to be 'thunder-stealing' from it's builder! ;)

Either way it should be a good showing. We'll be a little out of the way of the main show though so don't forget to come and look for us!

 

post-6762-0-90226500-1337077424.jpg

 

The second show is the Exe MRS show on the 23rd and 24th June, and builds on last year's mega showing and we should be bigger and better than last year - plan below!

Show website with more info: http://www.exemrs.co.uk/

Show thread on RMWeb here: http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/42455-exeter-2012/

 

Thanks to the Exeter club for allowing us to be somewhat self-indulgent for a second year - last year's layout had 90' of modules attached to RS Tower, this years should be closer to 120' added, including several modules from members of the NMRA's Western Union group down in Plymouth.

 

It's pretty rare to have the opportunity to be able to run a purposeful railway with multiple 'towns' at a public model railway exhibition, but this one should allow is to do that, with Dale Yard on the left hand branch being a classification yard hubbing all carload traffic to/from/between the industries on the various other modules plus RS Tower.

 

We've tried to arrange things in such a way as to keep some activity down the branches at almost all times, but realistically there is a limit to what you can acheive whilst still being purposeful in how you operate, so if you prefer to stand and watch the trains go by then RS Tower will provide it's normal parade of long through trains, with the various freights headed off to industries on the branches having to thread their way through the main line traffic here.

 

I suspect most folk will have just one chance this year to see something done on this scale, Exeter might be a little out of the way but if that interests you then come along!

 

post-6762-0-61297200-1337078215_thumb.jpg

Link to post
Share on other sites

First up we have TVNAM, at Armitage, Staffs, on the 16th June - this show should definately be on your annual hitlist if you're a fan of North American outline modelling with lots of layouts and specialist trade support.

Show website with more info here: http://www.tvnam.co.uk/

Show thread on RMWeb here: http://www.rmweb.co....lers-2012-show/

And a bit more here: http://www.rmweb.co....a-gentle-nudge/

 

For this one 4 of our group will be heading North bringing several modules, we should end up with something resembling an 'around the walls' shelf style layout in one of the side rooms - the rough arrangement is shown below. There's a good chance there will also be an additional module debuting from another source also which isn't shown on that plan, but you'll have to make-do with just a teaser as I don't want to be 'thunder-stealing' from it's builder! ;)

 

I'd better get on and finish it then....

Link to post
Share on other sites

 

 

First up we have TVNAM, at Armitage, Staffs, on the 16th June - this show should definately be on your annual hitlist if you're a fan of North American outline modelling with lots of layouts and specialist trade support.

Show website with more info here: http://www.tvnam.co.uk/

Show thread on RMWeb here: http://www.rmweb.co....lers-2012-show/

And a bit more here: http://www.rmweb.co....a-gentle-nudge/

 

For this one 4 of our group will be heading North bringing several modules, we should end up with something resembling an 'around the walls' shelf style layout in one of the side rooms - the rough arrangement is shown below. There's a good chance there will also be an additional module debuting from another source also which isn't shown on that plan, but you'll have to make-do with just a teaser as I don't want to be 'thunder-stealing' from it's builder! ;)

Either way it should be a good showing. We'll be a little out of the way of the main show though so don't forget to come and look for us!

 

 

 

Martyn - the room you are in is right by the main entrance so I don't think there's much chance you'll be missed! :no:

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

Don't forget we're at Exeter show this weekend for a reprise of our 'bonkers' appearance last year (as in 'we must be....') - circa 180' of scenic layout including RS Tower and 24 freemo modules on offer, showing a mix of intense operations at RS Tower right through to some prototypically (mostly) operated branch lines served by local freights.

 

Come and say hi if you're visiting!

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 2 months later...

Well, the freemo keeps expanding with multiple groups working on similar standards - so to try and keep all of us up to date with developments across all the groups, and to get some crossover of idea's and info I've set up a forum - http://ukfreemo.forumup.co.uk/

 

Don't worry, the intention is not to leave here (or to compete with here) - just to have a bit of 'own space' for the genre, many of the users don't use this site...

 

As it is, we know of 4 major showings coming off in the rest of this year...

 

* Next month Seaboard Southern's show will feature their new modules, and Alpha and Dale from our group will also be travelling over for this.

* In October our group will be at the National Festival of Railway Modelling in Peterborough with RS Tower and 5 modules.

* On the same weekend as that a group will be taking some new modules to the NMRA-BR convention, the NMRA-BR has been a great supporter of our standard and has used it as the basis for their own spec, which this will be launching to the rest of the membership.

* Lastly, in November we're having another of our modular meets - details below:

 

Edit - Date - 10th Nov 2012 (Doh!) :scratchhead:

Proposed times:

Access for setup 8am

Intended running from 10am

Knock down from 4.30pm

Building clear 6pm

 

Location:

Broadclyst Victory Hall on the outskirts of Exeter - NEW VENUE

 

Transport:

Large free car park at venue

Just off the B3181 between Exeter and Cullompton

Stagecoach bus 1/1A/1B to/from Exeter city centre (bus station) to Broadclyst (circa 15min journey)

From the North bus route 1 also connects to Tiverton Parkway railway station (circa 1 hour journey)

 

Amenities:

We will arrange free Tea/Coffee at venue

Post Office/Shop next door

Red Lion inn just across the village green advertises Accommodation, Restaurant and bar

 

Cost - £10 MAX – We need to cover our costs but the objective is not to make a big profit - the more people we can confirm as attending in advance the lower we can make this cost for you all (for example 30 confirmed people would drop the cost to £5 each) - if you can confirm your attendance to me please do so.

 

Call for Modules: All compatible modules welcome, the more the merrier - please book your module in with me by 1st Oct so that we can build your module into the plan.

 

Layout will feature.

45” Running Height

RS Tower Spec electrics (talk to us if you have any queries)

Lenz DCC (bring your handsets if you have them)

Wireless handset capability

 

Interested to know opinions – all things being equal would people prefer a linear setup (one route end-to-end) or a more switching-focused layout with multiple branches like the shortline cluster we created at our last meet?

Link to post
Share on other sites

I've not commented because Exeter is too far for me. Otherwise I would love to come.

 

Likewise, although I do hope to get to a "home" meet sometime next year. I'd also be in a whole heap o' trouble for booking more time off to go and play trains, as I've been allowed out (and bribed) a few weekends before to go to Peterborough.

Link to post
Share on other sites

I'd love to go,but the distance is a bit of a problem,living in deepest West Cumbria. :nono:

 

We could do with something similar starting "up north",though theres not enough people with time and space in my area to start a group.

 

It seems all the main north American events/exhibitions are all down south!!,which is a shame,even the NMRA convention (sorry about the swear word to some) this year is a bit nearer,but still a 4 hour drive on a good day!! :O :o

 

Admittedly,most of the people who model American seem to live in the south.

 

Come on us Northerners lets see what we can do and show those southern jesses!!!! :no: :no:

 

Hope you all have a great time,don't enjoy yourselves to much! :stinker:

 

Ray

Link to post
Share on other sites

Sorry Dan, that's the 10th Nov. - Don't worry I'm sure we'll have a suitable one next year though, we want to do these a couple of times per year at least.

 

Ray - that's another reason behind this forum, trying to connect up some of the interested people!

Link to post
Share on other sites

"Ray - that's another reason behind this forum, trying to connect up some of the interested people!"

 

Absolutely. That's why I was surprised that no-one was saying whether they thought the new forum was a good idea - a place where UK freemo could be discussed in-depth.

 

Brian

Link to post
Share on other sites

I think it's a good idea, I've signed up. When I do get round to building a layout it will be Freemo standard with my own fiddle yards. Trouble is , until then I don't have much to contribute

 

There is an "ideas" section for some blue-sky thinking....

Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi, Just seen this. I don't have a module as yet (intend to do so after completing the current HO project which I have promised for TVNAM 2013), but I would love to come down to Exeter to 'find out more' for the day if that would be ok. Anyone interested in a car share from the East or West Midlands? I am in Derby and would happily share petrol costs with anyone within realistic distance of the M42 / M5 using either my or someone else's car. I could also help with the conveyance of a small module that would fit in the confines of an Audi A3 if required. Any takers? Contact me by PM if interested.

 

Chris M

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

I'd love to go,but the distance is a bit of a problem,living in deepest West Cumbria. :nono:

 

We could do with something similar starting "up north",though theres not enough people with time and space in my area to start a group.

 

It seems all the main north American events/exhibitions are all down south!!,which is a shame,even the NMRA convention (sorry about the swear word to some) this year is a bit nearer,but still a 4 hour drive on a good day!! :O :o

 

Admittedly,most of the people who model American seem to live in the south.

 

Come on us Northerners lets see what we can do and show those southern jesses!!!! :no: :no:

 

Hope you all have a great time,don't enjoy yourselves to much! :stinker:

 

Ray

 

Spent the day at a Barbie at the Scout Hut in South Queensferry and was struck by what a good venue it would make for a modular meet up. So here's the challenge. Are there enough of us north of (where?) say Manchester who would want to get together and have a meet up? I suspect many of us up here have held off due to the difficulty of making the big meets down south. As Ray said, let's see what we can do. At the rate Ray builds layouts, he could probably knock up a set of modules in the time it's taken me to type this. Then there's Shortliner, Phil H, Jon Grant, and so on. Are there enough of us willing to take the plunge?

Link to post
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.


×
×
  • Create New...