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. When there is a gap in the numbering see “The Official Free-mo Standard“.

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.

IM-S2.4 Roadbed shall be 1/8 inch cork or equivalent on 1/2 inch plywood or equivalent. Foam tops are acceptable if braced to prevent sagging or flexing.

IM-S2.11 Alignment Pins – Alignment pins are optional. When an Industry-mo module employs alignment pins, those pins must conform to the Speed-mo pin standard. (see IM – 7.0), IM-S3.7, FAQ IM-S2.11)

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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. Required, space at the end of the module for rail joiners (both metal and insulated) for when mating to a non flush rail module (AKA standard module). (Note Speed-mo uses 0.015″, this leaves an air gap of 0.03″ or about 1/32″)

This wording is not the final wording, it is being added so as to not lose it. See IM-S2.11.

IM-S3.7 Rails shall be cut flush with the end of the module.

IM-RP3.7.1 Industrial Modules use flush rails so rail joiners will not be needed or used between industrial modules. Between an IM and other modules will be code 70 to code 83 and a fitter rail would not work well . An adapter module of some kind is needed.

IM-RP3.7.3 Industrial Modules use flush rails so rail joiners will not be needed or used between industrial modules. Between an IM and other modules will be code 70 to code 83 and a fitter rail would not work well . An adapter module of some kind is needed.

IM-RP3.7.4 Cut the rails back 0.015″ from the end of the module. This will result in a 0.03″ air gap between modules.

Need to create an FAQ page for this data.

FAQ IM-RP-3.7 The success of a pin and hole system requires a very high degree of precision when drilling the holes. Speed-mo has developed a drilling template and process on how to accurately place the holes in relation to the track. Use of this template and process is highly recommended. The process must be followed very precisely; it is recommended that the first few times you get assistance from someone with experience using the template.

The correct implementation of the Speed-mo standard will result in two 1″ OD pins and two 1″ holes on the module end plate for aligning modules. The hole and pin centers are placed in reference to top of the rail, not the top of the module. The hole-centers and pin-centers shall both be 2″ down from the head (top) of the rail (not the top of the module). The pin-centers shall be at 10″ to the left and 5″ to the right of the center line of the track. The hole-centers shall be 5″ to the left and 10″ to the right of the center line of the track. On an 18″ wide module the 10″ right hole and 10″ left pin are not used, they are off the end of the module. 

Here is a video from G.W. Campbell posted 2/27/2026 on how to use the Speed-mo Template.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOO-MD9l7CM

IM-S3.8 Turnouts on the through route 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 Track on the through route of a Industrial module must ALL be Code 70 nickel-silver rail without exception.

S3.11 Sidings, spurs and other tracks of a Industrial module may be Code 70 or smaller, but shall be no less than Code 40.

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 Industrial 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 Maximum permitted grade on the through route of a Industrial module is 4.0 percent (approximately 1/2 inch per foot). NOTE: Spurs and non-through route tracks can be greater than 4%.

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 Scenery at the Free-mo Industrial Module end(s) shall have a flat profile 1/4″ below the top of the rail on the through route.

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7.0 Glossary

This wording is not the final wording, it is being added so as to not lose it.

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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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