Doubling up

There's been a bit of a flurry again on the modular thread at NZ120.org. A new convert has asked what the plan is. The first comment, echoed by the 'old hands' is 'what plan?'. Honestly I didn't think that Freemo needed one. The plan for a layout at any location revolves around the modules available for that particular get together. I don't think that we could get the whole group to agree on a particular line to model in its entirety. Indeed we can't even really agree on a period. I think that the Europeans have it right in that they just get together and put together a large layout for the weekend.

'Dammit, Hans, we've both modeled the same station!'

When I was a member of the Dunedin modular layout group, while we didn't model the same scene twice, there was not any pressure to model a particular location because it would 'fit' better into the layout. A member would start with an idea of a location that he wanted to model, and then the rest of the group wold assist him to do it with as much or little help as they desired/required. It all worked fairly well, and I can't remember any problems during my 3 years membership.

Probably the most important point is that you should build whatever tickles your fancy. After all, its very hard to build several Freemo modules of a prototype area that you don't really like, but have to make to 'fit in' to an exhibition layout that might only get together once a year (if that). I'd suggest that a better plan is to build a home layout that is at least part 'portable' possibly including a few curved modules. Other 'useful' modules would be junctions from large to small so that there can be some variation in train direction. Even the humble 2 loop bog standard NZR country station with a lean to station and goods shed should not be overlooked. A line side industry is also an excellent prototype ie a freezing works, lime works or even a salt plant.


As an afterthought, don't forget that NZ120 means that you can extend outside the normally modeled areas of the larger scales. As I managed to prove with Cass, a single line doesn't have to be boring, its the scene that makes the layout. Also, I would not assume any particular scene has been 'taken' by a modeler until there is solid proof that construction has actually started, untill then its a free for all......