![\"\"](\"http:\/\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/IMG_0466-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
My Free-mo<\/a> modules are the only modern (post steam era) modeling that I do. Although the theme is the Detroit area and suburbs in the late 1970s, I am far from being strict on the time and will run some 21st century equipment for fun on the layout. With the large radius curves of Free-mo<\/a> I am able to run longer cars and even a passenger train without them looking toy like. Free-mo<\/a> is the fix I need when I want to run modern or long equipment.<\/p>\n Future modules in the plans but not started include:<\/p>\n Related Articles<\/p>\n HO Std Gauge 1862 Civil War Layout – 40% complete, needs structures, scenery and better locomotives and rolling stock.<\/p>\n This is a display layout meant to be shown at train shows. Modeling the 1860s has become a real challenge. This is the first layout that I hand built the turnouts and hand laid all the track. This was out of necessity since code 55 flex track and stub turnouts\u00a0in HO are not available. After the track was laid, the layout sat idle for a couple years while I tried to figure out what to do about locomotives and structures. The only HO locomotives close to the Rogers 1850s locomotives I need to model are the very old Mantua\/Tyco 4-4-0 General. These are not good runners and the old wheels will not work on code 55 rail. This will require me to build a locomotive and find new drivers. I have never re-built a locomotive to this extent, so this will be a challenge. My plan is to follow\u00a0Alan Mueller’s book on rebuilding the Mantua General<\/a>.<\/p>\n Beyond locomotive issues, the slow progress has also been lack of kits for 1850-60 era structures. This will require me to scratch build all the structures on the layout. Scratch building is another item I am\u00a0new at. I have completed a couple generic structures to get my hands wet and need to move on to more specific structures to capture the essence of the area and time frame. The hospital in Mound City is a centerpiece and needs to be visually very close to the prototype. This will be a real challenge.<\/p>\n Related Articles<\/p>\n HO Std Gauge Circa 1900 Mining Railroad – Phase II planning, first layout went to 20% completion before abandonment<\/p>\n This railroad is my only large permanent railroad (not intended to travel and be shown). Originally started as an around the room shelf layout in my basement workshop, the initial design was a point to point for prototype operations. There was also the option for continuous running when i just felt like running a train or breaking in a locomotive. unfortunately the limitations of my basement and sharing space in my workshop has not worked out.<\/p>\n I began planning a Phase II of the railroad where I would use former storage space in another part of the basement. This area has so many limitations I am perplexed with the design. The basement of my house is barely six foot high. In many parts I must duck to get to different areas of the basement. My goal when completed would be to have small operating sessions and share the layout with others. As the space is, this is not going to happen. This layout, although one of my favorite themes will be on hold until a better location is acquired.<\/p>\n Related Articles<\/p>\n On30 Circa 1920 Mining Company – 10% complete, Base board started, testing track plans<\/p>\n I have been fascinated by On30 for a long time and the Dolly Varden in British Columbia is a great subject. I have owned several pieces of equipment and have been looking for just the right situation to create a layout. The theme for this layout will be a very small mining railroad which hauls rock from the mine to an ore bin and dock. This will be a very short railroad with a single 0-4-0 locomotive and little bobber ore cars. It will be very tight curves and more vertical scenery than depth.<\/p>\n I have not decided on a name for the layout yet. The Dolly Varden in British Columbia was the inspiration but since I am not trying to model it exactly, I do not want to use that name. This layout will be featured in future articles as the plan comes together. Anyone want to suggest a name?<\/p>\n Detailed information specifically for the Dolly Varden is available from\u00a0http:\/\/dollyvardenrr.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n O9 Circa 1930ish – 10% complete, built to test small helix, needs scenic design finalized<\/p>\n The\u00a0Brewery Tramway was an experiment to see if a helix could work on a very small layout. The concept was a success but since building the base board and helix the layout has languished. I would like to finish it but I am not happy with my concepts for the scenery. The vertical space between the levels has me perplexed and in a design block (kind of like writers block). I am sure, someday this layout will make a comeback but for now it sits in the corner with it’s future in doubt.<\/p>\n Related Articles<\/p>\n OO9\/HOn30) – Locomotive and rolling stock on order, plan in process<\/p>\n I have wanted to do a trench railroad for a very long time. The issue has been the locomotives and the rolling stock. As with Mound City there was not much out there for the WWI modeler. That has recently changed with the new locomotives by Minitrains and Bachmann. I have placed orders for the Minitrains locomotive and rolling stock. I am checking options for ordering the Bachmann locomotive. The Minitrains locomotive is HOn30 1\/87 while the Bachmann is OO9 1\/76. I will need to evaluate the sizes and what figures, vehicles and so on look best.<\/p>\n On the scenery side, I want to model a supply depot and then progress to the edge of the front where the mud is deep and the trees are mostly gone. The idea is to have a 2-sided scene where one is the depot and the other is the beginning of the trenches. As the rails move around to the opposite side the scenery will shift to more and more desolation. The train will be supplying artillery and infantry supplies to a couple sidings in the trench area.<\/p>\n Related Articles<\/p>\n I like variety! I like all aspects of the hobby and do not feel I should be relegated to a single subject. This is another reason I like small railroads. I can work on what appeals to me at the moment. This allows freedom to be artistic on what appeals the most at the moment. The trade off is that project (layouts) take longer to complete. This OK with me after all, this is a hobby!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" While showing layouts as part of free-mo, I am often asked about my home layout. My response is often “which one?” At any given time…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2120,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[3,48,19],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2125","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-modules","category-prototype-railroads","category-small-layout-ideas","wpcat-3-id","wpcat-48-id","wpcat-19-id"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/DollyVardenDock_1000.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p4e6yk-yh","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":479,"url":"https:\/\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/2013-small-layout-design-meet\/","url_meta":{"origin":2125,"position":0},"title":"2013 Small Layout Design Meet","author":"Marshall Stull","date":"April 4, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"A group is putting together a meet-up on June 1 (with other social meets on Friday and Sunday) in Findlay OH. The meet is open to anyone who likes small, modular or micro layouts. Info is at the website https:\/\/sites.google.com\/site\/smalllayoutdesignmeet2013\/ Everyone is encouraged to bring something to share. The meet\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Small Layout How To Articles"","block_context":{"text":"Small Layout How To Articles","link":"https:\/\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/category\/articles-on-small-layouts\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":1967,"url":"https:\/\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/free-mo-endings\/","url_meta":{"origin":2125,"position":1},"title":"Free-mo Endings","author":"Marshall Stull","date":"December 25, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Before you ask, I am not giving up Free-mo! This month we are going to take a look at designs for Free-mo ends. These will be very small, short modules that will be the end of the line instead of just a drop-off where the last module ends. Lately, I\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Modular Layouts"","block_context":{"text":"Modular Layouts","link":"https:\/\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/category\/modules\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/rr-7a.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/rr-7a.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/rr-7a.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/rr-7a.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/rr-7a.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1229,"url":"https:\/\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/layout-spotlight-will-county-model-railroad-association-wcmrra\/","url_meta":{"origin":2125,"position":2},"title":"Layout Spotlight – Will County Model Railroad Association (WCMRRA)","author":"Marshall Stull","date":"June 9, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"On a recent trip to Chicago for business, I managed to get time to visit the Will County Model Railroad Association (WCMRRA). I knew of the club from meeting Chris Herzog at the 2012 National Train Show in Grand Rapids Michigan. The WCMRRA has recently acquired new space in downtown\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Layout Spotlight"","block_context":{"text":"Layout Spotlight","link":"https:\/\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/category\/layout-spotlight\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/IMG_3334.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/IMG_3334.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/IMG_3334.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/IMG_3334.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/IMG_3334.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/IMG_3334.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4701,"url":"https:\/\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/smallmr-com-is-back\/","url_meta":{"origin":2125,"position":3},"title":"SmallMR.com is back!!","author":"Marshall Stull","date":"May 25, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Well after a month hiatus, I finally have a new server in place and the website is back up and running. The old server had been running since 2012 (that's 10 years) without an issue!!! I had a backup machine (identical model) at the ready in case the primary one\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Modular Layouts"","block_context":{"text":"Modular Layouts","link":"https:\/\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/category\/modules\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/IMG_2896.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/IMG_2896.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/IMG_2896.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/IMG_2896.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":590,"url":"https:\/\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/free-mo-module-concepts-rail-marine\/","url_meta":{"origin":2125,"position":4},"title":"Free-mo Module Concepts – Rail-Marine","author":"Marshall Stull","date":"August 1, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"In 2011\/12 I built my first Free-mo modules and joined the SE Michigan Free-mo group\u00a0at the 2012 National Train Show (NTS) in Grand Rapids Michigan. We had modules from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Massachusetts. With the large number of Free-mo modelers who came together to at NTS, we were able\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Modular Layouts"","block_context":{"text":"Modular Layouts","link":"https:\/\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/category\/modules\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/cp-s2-7023-carfloat-manitowac_1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/cp-s2-7023-carfloat-manitowac_1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/cp-s2-7023-carfloat-manitowac_1.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/cp-s2-7023-carfloat-manitowac_1.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":99,"url":"https:\/\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/free-mo-module-design\/","url_meta":{"origin":2125,"position":5},"title":"Free-mo Module Design","author":"Marshall Stull","date":"January 9, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"It never fails on the Free-mo Yahoo Group. Once,\u00a0every couple of months, someone asks about best way to construct a module. Most times when the question is asked it either starts with or converts to a debate on Foam vs Plywood. I use both materials and feel that proper use\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Modular Layouts"","block_context":{"text":"Modular Layouts","link":"https:\/\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/category\/modules\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/26_wdie_freemo_3_topExplode.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/26_wdie_freemo_3_topExplode.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/26_wdie_freemo_3_topExplode.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/26_wdie_freemo_3_topExplode.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2125","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2125"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2125\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2139,"href":"https:\/\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2125\/revisions\/2139"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2120"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2125"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2125"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2125"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}\n
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Mound City<\/h1>\n
![\"Modeled](\"http:\/\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/modeledarea.jpg\")
![\"Cannon\/Battery](\"http:\/\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/moundcitynavelstation_batterycloseup.jpg\")
![\"Stock](\"http:\/\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/11\/img_1753.jpg\")
\n
Peshekee River Railroad<\/h1>\n
![\"Iron](\"http:\/\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/300px-irhb_480_locomotive.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/irhb_railroad_cut.jpg\")
<\/p>\n\n
Dolly Varden Inspired Micro<\/h1>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/DollyVardenOreBin_600.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/DollyVardenLoader_600.jpg\")
<\/p>\nBrewery Tramway<\/h1>\n
![\"Track](\"http:\/\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/IMG_2158-1024x764.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/stjamesgate1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n\n
WWI Trench Railway<\/h1>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/Bachmann_WDR_4-6-0.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/Minitrains_WWI_1071.jpg\")
![\"Ypres](\"http:\/\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/c01364-9-2_inch_howitzer_ypres_1917.jpg\")
![\"Cook](\"http:\/\/smallmr.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/c01362-cook_steam_locomotive_1917.jpg\")
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Why so many layouts?<\/h1>\n