JR-Chiisai: Mini-Modules

[Martijn Meerts]

As I don´t have the space for a permanent layout, I have settled on building those mini modules, similar to the t-track design. More info you can find in this link:

http://space.geocities.jp/popoya2008/menu.html

Now that is looking very attractive! I myself might have a go at these kind of modules (with Tomix track instead of Kato),

I'm usually not much of a fan of small modules, but these do look great. Might jump on something similar for my trams and/or short (2-car) trains.

Yes, another new project. I really should finish projects I've started, but most projects are a bit large-scale. Considering I'm still looking for a new place to live, I won't know what kinda space I'll have after moving, although the available space for trains is of course 1 of the main things I'm looking at in a new place :)

The above link inspired me to seriously consider building some of those mini-modules for the various trams and short trains I've got. Since I prefer DCC and computer control (for the most part) I'll need to make some adjustment to the modules. I'm also looking at adjusting them so that you can somehow clamp them together, partially because I'll be using peco track, and partially because I want a more sturdy connection than the one seen in the link. Easiest might be to close off the sides, and add some sort of clamp like you often see on tool boxes (http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/303828695/Display_Box_Clamp.html but not quite as fancy). Once I have everything figured out, I'm hoping to be able to build like 1 module every 1-2 months, depending on the difficulty of the module.

I'll probably stick close to the measurements from the link, although since I'll be using Peco flextrack instead of Tomix/Kato track, I might just stick with 30x15cm. I've been thinking of going slightly bigger, but I know I'll eventually end up with modules that are way too big again :)

I'm not going for a specific prototype, but considering the limited space, it'll have to be a branch line and/or tram line. Longest trains to be running would be 2-car EMU/DMU and short steamers (C11 + 2 cars for example). Each module should be it's own block for computer control with the exception of stations etc, which might need to be slightly bigger.

I'll be figuring out some details over the coming weeks, maybe talk about it a bit with some of the guys I'll be meeting in the US next week, and hopefully I can start experimenting a bit in a couple of weeks. I would love to get some ideas for small scenes and stations to get inspiration from, they can't be strange enough. Obviously the above link is already a lot of inspiration :) Also, any tips on how to make a somewhat sturdy connection between the modules would be much appreciated :)

Rather than make track plans, I think I'm just gonna go with gut feeling on this one. Taking it 1 module at a time, and decide a track plan as I go.

[Toni Babelony]

Interesting! I've started a personal project myself as well. All with strict 280mm sizes. Track is centred at 80mm hight and is Tomix track. Looking forward to your progress!

[Martijn Meerts]

Interesting! I've started a personal project myself as well. All with strict 280mm sizes. Track is centred at 80mm hight and is Tomix track. Looking forward to your progress!

Could make a module that would connect the 2 system, and then go to some show together ;) The connection could just be a station where 2 lines terminate. 1 line would be my modules, the other line would be your modules.

I've also been considering going with Z-scale track and the World Kougei narrow gauge N-scale models, but they only have 2 of them so far. It would also mean I still don't have anything to run all my trams and short trains on.

I've figured out though, that 30cm modules are just too small to allow for 1 block per module, It's just not enough track. I don't want to always have to combine the same 2 modules either though, so I might end up going slightly bigger, say 15x40, 20x40 or so. I'd really like to be able to run a C11 with 2 cars. There might be longer freight trains, but those can be set up to occupy 2 blocks at a time instead of just 1.

I could of course go for trams only, but I have a couple of them that have a dummy car, so even those might get too long for 30cm modules. Could also opt for regular DC, but once you're used to DCC, it's really annoying going back to DC :)

[Martijn Meerts]

Wow, haven't started yet, and already came across an issue... 

If I have a module with a single track line (which I want most of them to be), I'll need 3 occupancy detection points (can do with less, but for precise breaking and full detection of the entire block, I'm going for at least 3). No problem here, except that occupancy detection modules generally come with 8 inputs, which means I'll be wasting 5 inputs per module.

Of course, it'd be possible to do it so that certain 2 modules always need to be combined, but that's exactly what I want to avoid. I'd prefer most modules to be usable anywhere in the final setup, without having to do anything major with either the modules, or the computer software controlling the layout. Another solution could be to just suck up the cash and go for detectors with 8 inputs (I don't think a 4 input occupancy detector would be much cheaper actually)

Another thing I'm looking at, is the possibility of using the Lenz RailCom bits (http://www.digital-plus.de/e/digitalplus_railcom.php). Using a single LRC135, and 1 LRC130 (4 inputs) per module could be an option. Of course, they're not released yet, there's no date for release yet, and there's no indication of what they're going to cost. And, since they're not released yet, there's also no software that supports it :) Another thing I'm uncertain about, is whether the RailComBus needs to be closed, as in, be a loop (as shown in the connection diagram on the Lenz site).

Funny how you already run into problems even before starting ;)

[Martijn Meerts]

This is starting to turn into a monologue :)

Anyways, I think I'll solve the issue by using 2 blocks per module. I might need to increase the length per module a bit, but this depends on the length of the rolling stock.

I'm going to focus on trams initially, with the Enoden as main inspiration (not very original, I know, but the Enoden is just incredible as a source of inspiration :)), so the blocks are just long enough to fit a single Enoden tram. When 2 are coupled together, they can just be marked as using 2 blocks instead of 1. What's nice about this, is that you can simulate trams stopping right behind the one in front when it starts getting busy.

Once I'm back from the US, I'll go and buy some wood and do some experimenting. I also need to find a better way of cutting the track to create isolated sections. The Dremel works okay, but leaves a fairly large gap, and sometimes it catches on something and damages the track..

[Toni Babelony]

Interesting! I've started a personal project myself as well. All with strict 280mm sizes. Track is centred at 80mm hight and is Tomix track. Looking forward to your progress!

Could make a module that would connect the 2 system, and then go to some show together ;) The connection could just be a station where 2 lines terminate. 1 line would be my modules, the other line would be your modules.

Sounds interesting :) I'm also focussing on trams and short freight, but just simple DC, rather then DCC and block systems. This allows for more variety in trains and no bother with maximum train lengths. My dimensions are 280x280x280mm, track at 80mm height and single line operation.

In the end, for me it's more about having something run through the landscape, rather then (for me) complex electronic stuff.

Attached are the two modules I've been working on the last few days. The background needs to be redone a bit: the green is too dark... This weekend I'll try to make a new topic about my project.

[Martijn Meerts]

Looks nice :)

I'm not against DC or anything, and I'm still planning on at some point getting enough gear together to make a typical Japanese floor layout using Tomix track and all analog control etc.

However, I've been working with DCC so long by now, for anything more permanent, I really prefer DCC. The biggest advantage is of course that you can run multiple trains/trams even on a single track line. I do always try to add bits and pieces that aren't automated, so that there's still some manual labour involved.

Especially a tram layout I think could be interesting when computer controlled, because tram lines can often get really busy, especially close to a station. Like you though, I really want to get some modules done and landscaped, so I can run stuff through a landscape instead of an a simple oval. I could drive them on my father's layout, but not all trains/trams seem to like the Minitrix track on it :)

[marknewton]

Attached are the two modules I've been working on the last few days.

Nice! But I don't know which I like more - the modules or the Polskie Koleje Państwowe plate on the right. Where'd you get that? 

Cheers,

Mark.

[Toni Babelony]

@Martijn: thanks! I understand the reason for DCC, but even on tram lines as the Enoden things are controlled by block signals. On other lines, as the interurban parts of the former Meitetsu trams, things were done with tokens. In the city of Gifu there seemed to be a more complex system (several trams running on a single track line simultaneously) of signals.

@Mark: thanks as well. The PKP plate was bought from a fireman at Wolstyn steam train depot a few years ago. He sold it to me for 20€. I think it's a replica though. Not the original stuff.

[Sir Madog]

I am also working on mini-modules, very similar to the ones you can see on this web page:

http://space.geocities.jp/popoya2008/menu.html

I have not made much progress lately, because I am waiting for my order of track. I ordered about 8 weeks ago...

[Martijn Meerts]

I am also working on mini-modules, very similar to the ones you can see on this web page:

http://space.geocities.jp/popoya2008/menu.html

I have not made much progress lately, because I am waiting for my order of track. I ordered about 8 weeks ago...

Those are the modules that inspired me as well to try my hand at some small ones. I need to for for slightly bigger ones in order to fit in a block system that makes sense though :)

[Martijn Meerts]

Turns out the mini modules might end up being not-so-mini :)

To be able to fit 2 blocks onto 1 module, I'll need to make them about 50cm, so I'm looking at 20x50 now. It would fit on 20x40 as well, but the sections per block would just be too small. Still, even with 20x50, the track plan will be very simple, and modules can be built fairly fast.

Another thing I'm looking at, is how flexible a module can be. Since I'll be using DCC, there need to be various wires connecting the modules. I was thinking of just using a male plug on 1 end of the module, and a female plug on the other end. This makes it impossible to rotate a module 180 degrees though. Of course, rotating a module 180 degrees is going to cause problems in general, unless I add some sort of switch that allows you to set if a module is rotated or not...

This is turning out to be a lot more complicated than I thought ;)

[KenS]

One thing some modular clubs do is wire both male and female connectors at each end, then just use the appropriate one.

[Martijn Meerts]

One thing some modular clubs do is wire both male and female connectors at each end, then just use the appropriate one.

That's an option. I just need to check how to work out the polarity issues with regards to occupancy detectors etc.

[omar]

for wiring you might try Power poles. They have no gender.

[Martijn Meerts]

Power poles? Can't say I've heard of those...

I've got a long weekend coming up, and hopefully I'll be able to finally get some wood and do some quick testing with building a couple of module bases, and testing out some of the wiring stuff.

[Darklighter]

I've been thinking about building small modules for a few months now. I also want to use Peco Code 55 track (instead of Unitrack) but this fact severely complicates the whole project as it requires another system for connecting the modules and more precise benchwork. 

Thus, I'm very curious about your concepts regarding benchwork and connection between modules.

[Martijn Meerts]

I've been thinking about building small modules for a few months now. I also want to use Peco Code 55 track (instead of Unitrack) but this fact severely complicates the whole project as it requires another system for connecting the modules and more precise benchwork. 

Thus, I'm very curious about your concepts regarding benchwork and connection between modules.

Getting the track aligned isn't really the main issue I think. In a lot of cases people drill 2 small screws in the module edges per track, and solder each rail of the track to those screws. However, the way Peco code55 is built, I don't think that's necessary. The track is amazingly sturdy and doesn't get torn off it's sleepers all that easy. It does of course still need a good amount of precision :)

[Martijn Meerts]

Quick update.. Bought some wood and started measuring some things. I might end up making a jig first, so that it's easier to make more modules later on. On the other hand, these modules will be so simple, a jig might not be worth it :)

I've also sketched a variety of ideas on paper for "track plans", they're all fairly simple and straight forward. Need to have a physical module base to get a real good idea of the size and space I have available.

Hopefully I'll manage to get some more stuff done this week, maybe get a module base or 2 put together, so I can start putting up some track and do some real testing.

[Martijn Meerts]

Finally finished some module bases today (for the project party ;)) .. Of course, the block problem popped up again.. While splitting each module into 2 blocks works for trams, it doesn't work for trains, even if they're short ones.

I'll probably end up doing a sort of master/slave type of setup, where the module that's the "master" has the digital hardware, and a slave can just hook up to that. That way I won't waste a lot of inputs on the occupancy detectors, and at the same time keep most of the flexibility I want.


Pictures and progress for the first 2 modules posted here: http://www.jnsforum.com/index.php/topic,4933.0.html

[Sir Madog]

Eager to see pictures, Martijn!

My own activities have come to a halt, as I have to take care of my ailing parents. I hope to resume work on my third module soon.