Free-mo Standards & Recommended Practices Supplement for Industrial Modules

This is a WORKING copy of the standards. As we talk about the new supplement this page will be updated. When we are done this will get shared out to the Free-mo community and a link to it added. Right now this page has not links to it.

Please do not share this page outside of the working community.

Items below in red are to be discussed.

Legend

IM -S x.y, where x. and y are number – example: MM-S2.15
IM -RP x.y, where x. and y are numbers – example: MM-RP 5.11
IM -FAQ abx.y, where ab are S or RP, and x. and y are numbers – example MM-FAQ S1.7, MM -FAQ RP3.2

IM -S = Standard. All Free-mo modules and participants must conform to the requirement/standard stated.

IM -RP = Recommended Practice. These are procedures or specifications which are strongly encouraged for maximal reliability or fidelity.

IM -FAQ = Frequently Asked Question/Answers which explain the reasoning behind a particular Standard or Recommended Practice. Free-mo FAQ Page.

1.0 Introduction

  IM-S1.1 Free-mo Modules fall into four basic categories, see S1.5. This document is a supplement to the “The Official Free-mo Standard“. Listed here are the variations and exceptions to “The Official Free-mo Standard” for Industrial Modules. Industrial modules must meet all of the “The Official Free-mo Standard” with the variations and exceptions listed below. This document works in parallel with “The Official Free-mo Standard” and is incomplete without it.

IM-S1.2 “Free-mo modules not only provide track to operate realistic models, but also emphasize realistic, plausible scenery; realistic, reliable trackwork; and operations” (S1.1). “The Official Free-mo Standard” is written for Mainline trackwork. Not everything in the prototype is mainline trackwork. The Industrial Standard were developed as a standard for industrial prototype locations.

Industry-mo – Industry modules represent Industrial districts. Industry modules have restrictive track with limited clearances and smaller radius curves and are not designed nor intended for Mainline or Branchline traffic except to other Industry-mo modules.

IM-S1.3 The Industrial Standards are a subset of “The Official Free-mo Standard“. Most Free-mo setups are Mainline setups. If you build to the Industrial standards your setup opportunities might be limited. Industrial modules are intended to be off a junction or at the end of a branch of the Mainline or Branchline modules. If you build a module to the Industrial standards, you need to inform the run chief that you module is a Industrial module when you submit it for possible inclusion in a setup.

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2.0 Frame and Legs

IM-S2.2 Single-track endplates shall be either 18 or 24 inches wide by 6 inches tall

IM-S2.3 Double-track endplates, there is no provision for double track endplates in Industrial-mo modules.

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3.0 Track

IM-S3.3 The through track shall be centered on the 18-inch or 24-inch endplate.(see IM-S2.2)

IM-S3.4 On Double-track modules, there is no provision for double track modules in Industrial-mo modules.

IM-S3.5 Track on the through route must be perpendicular to the endplate for 4.5 inches from each end of the module.

S3.6 Track on the through route must be straight and level for 4.5 inches from each end of the module.

IM-RP3.6.1 The points of a turnout should not be within 4.5″ of the end of a module.

IM-S3.7 Rail cut back for Fitter Rails ????? We have decided on flush rails and the use of the Speed-mo template for pins. Pins will be optional AKA and RP. .

IM-S3.8 Turnouts shall be at least #5.

IM-S3.9 There shall be a minimum of 9 inches of straight track between reverse curves.

IM-S3.10 and IM S3.11 rail size?????

IM-S3.12 The minimum permitted curve radius on a through route of a Industrial Module is 22 inches. This includes through track sidings and other tracks where through traffic will run.

IM-S3.13 Spacing between tracks on curves of a Mainline module shall allow for Class I equipment to operate without fouling each other; per NMRA Standards RP-11 Curvature and Rolling Stock – (3/2018). NOTE: That is the letter I not a 1 for the class.

IM-S3.14 Grades

IM-S3.15 Curves on the through route of a Industrial module shall be appropriate for Industrial operation of Class I Equipment see NMRA Standards RP-11 Curvature and Rolling Stock – (3/2018). NOTE: That is the letter I not a 1 for the class.

Should we also consider a setback standard? It seems that the limiting factor for clearance is as likely to be the corner of a building as it is to be the ability of the car to navigate the track – AKA Plate

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4.0 Wiring

There are no variations or exceptions in this section to the Free-mo Standards for a Mini-mo Module.

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5.0 Control

There are no variations or exceptions in this section to the Free-mo Standards for a Mini-mo Module.

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6.0 Scenery

There are no variations or exceptions in this section to the Free-mo Standards for a Mini-mo Module.

IM-S6.3 Top of rail to scenery at end of module, ie cork size.

Roads at the end of the modules?

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7.0 Glossary

There are no variations or exceptions in this section to the Free-mo Standards for a Mini-mo Module.

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8.0 Revision History

Free-mo Standards & Recommended Practices Supplement for Mini-mo Modules Revision History

2024-04-05 Page created for development.

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