A couple of things I would like to raise (well, one thing) is the sorting out face to face for modular standards. I can see 2 at the moment,. The first is the ones that have been semi thrashed out over at NZ120.org. this is just about done and really only needs the track connections between the modules sorted.
The second is my personal hobby horse, the mini module.
'Oh, hang on, its an ass...'At the moment I'm leaning towards something maybe 300 wide, and 600-900 long (or in multiples of this). This would allow people with not too much room or time to build a small home layout to build a small scene that could be brought together to run with others. I see no reason why these could not be attached to converter modules for the larger system as an industrial siding or branch line.
Again there needs to be a sorting out of how the track approaches the ends. I've been thinking along the lines of having computer cut ends in 8-10mm ply with markings in where the rail ends sit. However with personal experience I'm not sure how this can be made to work with low profile wheels without a lot of side-to-side rocking or even derailments
What other topics do people think should be discussed?
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I think it would be good to have an agenda (list of items) for items to discuss at a NZ120 discussion group. Where is the best place to assemble it - here or on NZ120.org?
For modules, the key standards are probably:
1. height of rail top above surfaces the modules rest on
2. number of through-rails on each module (i.e. single track or double track)
3. positions of track relative to front (public) side of module
4. method to hold the modules close together when joined
5. type of track to be used at module ends.
I made a number of mini modules for a portable NZ160 layout some years ago. The key to connections between modules was exactly the same type of track (in that case, marklin of a particular code) at a consistent height above the surface the modules rested on. Add fishplates to clip the rails together and through running from module to module is no problem.
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