The local group I've become involved with in Palmy is currently between layouts after they sold their big NZR layout. The current plan is to become involved with the New Zealand Freemo movement in 16.5mm guage and build up a stock of modules. The club will build the 2 return loop ends and the base module will have double track.
This got the brains trust talking about an NZ120 freemo setup. Now I know this has been tried in the past but all the others have been more "modular" in their setup. Having a look overseas the Freemo movement is much more free form and has no side to any module.
I've just uploaded the doc to my google drive, have a read and see what you think. They are based on the European Freemo N rules (as they are in metric, you can't convert anything american as you can't get the correct dimensions on supplies). theres been a fair bit stripped back. And don't forget that anything that you do have can be used as long as there is a Freemo endplate (and associated connections) on the ends ie it doesn't have to be between every board, just at the ends of a scene with anything else going joiining wise internally.
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I'm keen. I've still got one of the older modules and connectors in my shed.
Like Mr Holden, I have two modules scenicked and completed but with the old connecters at the ends. I will need to build adapters to link them to any new Freemo system.
Have brainstormed what we can do with our display layout. With attached bolt on leg extensions we can increase the rail height to 1200mm. Build a connecting module and then we'll be all go. An instant potential 16 metres of running. Great idea and hopefully a lot more modelers will get involved.
I would definately be keen for an NZ120 version of Freemo-N standard.
Agree about making it metric for easier sourcing of wood here.
How much taller would that make the layout? And what about the back scenes? I must admit I was convinced down from the European N standard which was 1300mm.
(Oh and I do have a very small stash of converter ends from the old MMW system if anyone is interested)
So what are the perceived drawbacks, failings or inadequacies of the MMW module ends connectors ?
They need a table to sit on and they are no longer avaliable?
THE MMW endcaps needed a laser cutter of DeathStar proportions to cut the thick plywood. We lost access to that machine when the comapny changed hands and started charging market rates. A start was made to redeisgn them for CNC routing but that threw up a lot of design issues....and with there being no real interest at that stage it was discontinued.
Thanks for clearing that up Am_Fet. I still think there is life in the MMW module ends idea.
I did approach a laser cutter but his machine capabilities fell short. If they were to be produced now the price would no doubt be double or more of what MMW were selling them for.
As with most things in life there are so many choices and no concensus on a single design.
I think (now) that the issue with the MMW ends is that you need to have axcess to a laser cutter. Contrast that with having a bench saw I can cut any number of Freemo ends in 10 minutes.
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