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Modules Articles

A Causeway for a Good Cause

The author describes how he built the rock causeway on the module he built for the S Scale Workshop. Includes a couple of construction photos.

A Compact End Module Part Two

This is a follow-up to the December 1994 issue's article to show the various radii used in the end modules.

A Module in Memory Of...

Taking over a friend's module who has passed away.

A New Modular Railroad Takes Shape

Lightweight construction techniques are used by the author to build a 12'x40' modular layout, that also has a 3-foot wing. Photos were taken at local shows where he set up the still-under-construction layout.

A Pike Master Layout for a Hospital Room

After initial rejections, the The Virginia Central Division of the Atlantic Coast S Gaugers were able to set up a 10'x14' modular layout in an area hospital for the children. This article covers the lessons the group learned. Includes two photos of a smaller portable layout.

A Small Modular Home Layout

Two 3' x 3' end caps and a 2' x 6' NTRAK module make for a nice basic home layout. The track is a folded dogbone.

A Trolley Layout on the Go

The author, a member of the Northwest Traction Group, describes how the club developed a single-track modular standard, uses powered overhead wires, and deals with module transportation and set-up. Several setup track plans are included.

Adventures in Free-mo

How Free-mo modules are constructed.

Adventures in Free-Mo Part II

In this installment the author deals with transporting his equipment safely to a show. He describes the cabinets he built to house the plastic bins that hold all of his equipment. Includes diagrams and some construction photos.

Alive and Well In Southern California NTrak

The article gives a heads-up of the various clubs involved in the N-scale Convention in San Diego, CA in August, 2005. It also includes the proposed module layout plan, and photos of several modules.

An S-module Based On N-Trak Design

A follow-up on the October 1994 article, showing photos of the folded-legs system of the module.

And in this Corner

Design ideas for building corner modules with built-in easements.

Award Winning S Gauge Modular Layout

The Southeastern Michigan S Gaugers won a plaque for being the first place winners of "Module by Group" category of the NTS in 2012. This photo essay shows close-up photos of portions of the layout showing why they won. There is a track plan included in the article.

Backshop Solutions

The author reports that his SW1500 has a functioning motor now. The remainder of the article is a photo essay of a Proto:48 module under construction.

Backshop Solutions

The author describes building the next module which has a mainline track and a siding.

Baltimore & Ohio's Arlington Yard

Photos of a well-detailed N-Trak module.

Bay Area S Scalers Layout

The author describes the development of the club's modular layout, and the return loops he is building for this Free-mo-style layout. Includes photos of some of the club's work so far.

Bay Area S Scalers Layout

The author describes the construction of the Southern Loop of the club's Free-mo-style layout. Includes several photos.

Buffalo Rock

The author had a hard time building a full layout, so he decided to join a club and built this module. Includes a trackplan.

Build a Walk-through Bridge

This article describes a module the author built that allows members of the club to walk in and out of the layout by lifting up a bridge. The module's construction is key to be able to maintain the stability of the whole layout.

Building an Empire Part I

The modular layout built for the 1995 NASG Convention continues to participate in local train shows in western Pennsylvania. It was built by the Altoona Area Train Collectors Club. Includes several photos of scenes on the layout, and a bullet-point history of the club's layout.

Calabash Terminal Update

Monte shares a few photos of an area of his modular layout that has recently received new scenery (an update to his October 2010 article in the Dispatch).

Coal Mining on a TOMA Module

The author describes his plan for building a module, and how he might integrate that into a future layout. Includes track plans.

Compact End Modules

The author designed and built two half-circle modules for use at home and at train shows.

Construction of the South Jersey S Gaugers Portable Layouts

This article covers the construction of the club's second modular layout, but starts off with the lessons learned from the first one. Includes many construction photos, and a photo of each module as completed. There is also a collection of links to YouTube videos featuring the layout (old and new).

Corner Module Design

Simon Parent and the author built three modules to compose a corner module that has a lot of interesting track work on it. He describes how they designed and built them. The article includes a track plan and several photos.

Crescent City S Gaugers

A one-page photo essay of the New Orleans group's layout set up at the 2015 NASG Convention.

Designing & Building the Emey Falls Module

The Swedish author shares how he built the two-meter long set of modules. Includes track plans and many model photos.

Dirty Knees Leads to a Solution for Module Club Layout

The author describes his construction of a lift-up bridge for gaining access to the interior of the rectangularly-shaped Houston S Gaugers club layout. Includes two photos.

Displaying S Gauge

The author shares his expanded version of his traveling modular layout, now measuring 5'x18'. Includes a track plan and a photo.

Dody Stevens' Awarding Winning Modules

Photos and a brief description of NASG membership secretary, Dody Stevens' two modules.

Eastern Junction

Gary is recycling a set of modules he has used for various layouts in other scales into an S-scale layout. This month's column also has some very nice comments about my model railroad web site! He also encourages us to think about modeling a Santa Claus train on our layouts during the holidays.

Eastern Junction

The author talks about what he has been working on with regard to his Sn2 modules, and what he has been working on next for the modules: the Kennebec Central Coal Dock.

Eastern Junction

The author reviews the Sn2 Crew's attendance of the 2012 National Narrow Gauge Convention in Randolph, Maine. It includes a review of the changes the group introduced on their layout at this show.

Expanding Your Modular Layout

Building a larger NTRAK layout using two end loops (E3 and E4), and three straight modules with lots of switching possibilities. This layout would be 2' x 19'. Another diagram is shown for a show layout using four corner sections and six straight sections, making a layout that is 6' x 20'.

Folding Legs

The author shares the design ideas behind the folding legs of his local N-scale club, and how they can be used in S-scale modules.

Getting Your Weight Down

The author builds a 2'x2' filler module for the Houston S Gaugers' club layout. He describes the techniques he used to make it as lightweight as possible. Includes construction photos.

Gypsy Trolley Line

John Kosma sets up his modular layout at train shows. The scenes are set in Milwaukee in the 1930s. The layout is a long U-shaped one, with turn-around loops at the ends. The trolleys are powered by the catenary only. Includes lots of photos, many of which are close-up of the scenes. A portion of the layout is set up at home, too.

Hampton, NJ: A Plan for a Free-mo Interchange

An HO-scale modular layout based on the prototype covered in another article of this issue of the magazine.

Jeff's Junction

Consider designing in operations into the continuously-circling trains on a club's modular layout at a train show.

Jeff's Junction

The author lists the handful of truly portable S-scale layouts that are around, and suggests that the new NASG President, Roy Hoffman, spends some effort at trying to get other groups or individuals to build portable layout.

Jeff's Junction

The author compares the S-MOD standard modular layouts to the new Free-mo standard S-scale layouts.

Joining Rails of Different Sizes

This article covers how to handle modules with different rail heights (code 125 and code 100).

Kato Contest

For winning the Kato contest a Japanese High School team got to travel to the 2016 Trainfest show in the U.S., and show their winning module. Includes several close-up photos of the model of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial.

Kirby Vincent's Module Layout

While in between layouts, the author built this module. Photos are close-ups of the highlights of the module.

Lightweight Layout

Using only foam board to build a complete module. Include information about how to make a handy straight-line cutter.

Lightweight Module Construction

The author describes a different approach he took to building a module that is strong, durable, and light.

Lightweight Modules

Using Gatorboard for the module surface and PVC pipe for legs, the author managed to save some weight from both straight and corner modules. Some specialty tools are required to make the whole thing work. How he deals with wires and foldable legs are also included.

Model Railroading On-the-go

The author describes his folding sectional layout which fits in the family's RV trailer.

Modeling Canada in S The British Way

A design for a set of modules that model the Finistere, New Brunswick. Includes track plan.

Modular Backdrop

Building modular backdrops from foamcore boards fastened with Velcro.

Modular Layout Ideas

How "carrier control" (pre-cursor to modernday DCC) affects the S-MOD modules' wiring. Also covered are putting the carrier-control decoders in secondary cars, and how to wire the plugs between it and the engine. The author also covers the fact that facing-point turnouts should be avoided on modules to simplify operations. Finally, he discusses the idea of improving storage by using car floats.

Modular Standards Committee Report

The final track plan of the largest S-scale modular layout built and operated up to that point in time is shown.

Modular Standards Committee Update

Don takes over from Tom Hawley to manage the standards for S-scale modular railroading. The issue covered here was the electrical connectors to be used for modules.

Modular Standards Committee Update

The page shows a CAD drawing of the layout/track plan of the S-MOD modules scheduled to attend at the 1988 NASG Convention. Measuring 50'x90', and consisting of 60 modules, this would be the largest such setup.

Modular Standards Committee Update

The page shows a CAD drawing of the layout/track plan of the S-MOD modules scheduled to attend at the 1988 NASG Convention. The layout has been updated based on responses from clubs, and it is now scheduled to measure 74'x118', 468' of track.

Module Corner

This column shares the design of Jack Troxell on how the Houston S Gaugers built their rounded corner modules.

Module Corner

The author shares how the Connecticut S-Gaugers club decided on the dimensions of their modules. Shows diagrams of how they did their corner modules.

Module Corner

The author describes corner modules that can handle large equipment, and designing a set-up that doesn't require an odd spacer module with doing L-shaped set-ups.

Module Corner

The column covers how the Houston S Gaugers shape the legs of the modules for the club layout. Includes design diagrams, and the jig used for shaping the legs.

Module Corner

The column covers how the Connecticut S Gaugers hand-laid the track on their modules.

Module Corner

Folding legs and reducing weight, and how the Rochester Area S Gaugers do it. Includes design diagrams of a standard module for the club.

Module Corner

Construction diagrams of how the Altoona Area Train Collectors Club's modules are built, both straight and corners.

Module Corner

Tips on how to apply ballast using a mustard bottle.

Module Corner

Photos and a brief description of the Central New York S Gaugers.

Module Corner

Photos and a description of the Potomac Valley S Gauge Association first modular layout. Includes track plans of some of the modules.

Module Corner

This column covers the perception that S-MOD standard requires heavy materials for its construction, a report on what modular railroading is being done in Alberta, Canada, and a report of modular layouts in Michigan.

Module Corner

The author describes his figure-8 set-up that he used at a regional flea market show, where the engine just clears the caboose at the crossing. Includes one photo.

Module Corner

Shows two modular set-up drawings of the Central Jersey S Scalers in 1987 and 1988 at the Rail Expo in Jersey City, NJ.

Module Corner Part 1

Covers the step-by-step process that the Rochester Area S Gaugers took to install code 148 flextrack on their club modules. Includes many photos.

Module Corner Part 2

Continuing with the Rochester Area S Gaugers' module construction article, this installment covers how the club ballasts their track. Includes several photos.

Module Corner Part I

While there is no standard in S-MOD for corner modules, this article present some designs for a 48-inch square corner module, with inside and outside corner "cut off" to save on space.

Module Corner Part I

The column covers how the Connecticut S Gaugers built their corner modules.

Module Corner Part II

The construction information about the Connecticut S Gaugers' corner modules continues.

Module Corner Part III

The construction information about the Connecticut S Gaugers' corner modules continues, covering trackwork in this issue.

Module Joiner Track Tips

How to make joiner tracks for modular set-ups.

Modulitis

A report on the modules built by the Central Jersey S Scalers club, and the modules the author has built since joining the club. Includes a track plan of the various modules.

Modulitis

The author introduces his plans for gathering data about modules.

Modulitis

Getting narrow-gauge and standard-gauge S-scale modeler to work together to promote our scale by incorporating both into the modules we build. A possible track plan is included.

Modulitis

Tom Hawley and the NASG have been working on creating a modular standard for S-scale. Some of the proposed ideas for standards are discussed in this article.

Modulitis

The author describes the modular layout set up at the 1986 NASG Convention, which consisted of modules from Missouri, Wisconsin, Michigan, and New Jersey. Includes a sketch of the final set-up.

Modulitis

The author describes the continued process of developing S-MOD standards for modulus, this time electrical connectivity. Page 11 of this issue has a drawing of the Central Jersey S Scalers 1986 "Get Together" Modular Layout set-up.

Modulitis

The S-MOD system's electrical connectors allow someone to swap a module end-for-end. Another benefit is the flexible throttle interface.

Modulitis

The diagram for the modular layout set up at the Central Jersey S Scalers' 6th Annual Get Together is included.

Mountain Division Track Height

Why the mountain division track is 3-1/8" high.

Much Ado About Everything

The author covers the difficulties encountered when storing, transporting, and maintaining large modular or portable layouts.

NASG Modular Drawings

This Dispatch issue came accompanied by several drawings as proposed NASG modular standards.

News from the North

In this collaborative article, the author covers the S Scale Workshop's preparation for the trip to the "Salon du Train Rive Nord" train show in Montreal, Quebec. Includes photos taken at the show, and a track plan of the final Free-mo set-up.

News from the North

Using Tichy's HO-scale windows for S-scale structures. The rest of the article covers Chris Abbott's set of modules for the S Scale Workshop club, and how Paul Raham took over the modules to make a small station scene out of the original modules.

North Carolina Portable Switching Layout

There being only two S-scale modelers in the all-scale club to which the author belongs, he decided that it would be better to build a portable switching layout serving six industries and a team track in a 2' x 8' space, rather than a full-blown modular layout. Includes photos of the layout, including how it folds up.

Ntrack at Dearborn

A photo article showing some of the NTrak modules at the recent NMRA show.

NTRAK Airport

This module shows a 1950s airport, with lights, buildings, mirror, airplanes, and much vertical scenery. Includes a road with bridges that goes under the track.

Ntrak Sets a World's Record

On November 11, 1990 twelve Ntrak clubs got together and build a 21.3 scale mile H-shaped layout from 176 modules. Shows an overall photo and several modules.

Ntrak Today

Photos of modules accompany this article where Jim covers the history of NTrak, how it influenced modular layouts in other scales, and why NTrak has been so successful. A sidebar about Jim Fitzgerald honors the man who spearheaded the NTrak movement.

On the Banks of the Mississippi

A 6' x 4' module made to show the mainline running on an embankment along the east shoreline of the Mississippi river. It has hidden staging, and can be run automatically. The scenery and water are very realistic looking.

One Club's Solution

The author describes how to implement the electrical standard of the S-MOD wiring standard.

One Module Challenge

The author designs two modules based on the One Module approach, and shows various diagrams about how they would fit into a larger layout. Includes lots of diagrams, and a materials list.

One Module Challenge Chama Division of the San Juan Extension, 1937

The author describes the prototype he designed the module after, how he built it, and how he used just that one module and two staging yards on either end to operate the module, allowing for individual stages to grow the layout into the final full-room design.

One Module Challenge Grand Prize Winner

Having won the annual TOMA challenge, the author, a professional railroad, describes his module, how he built it, and how it will fit into his eventual whole-room layout. Includes track plans, and a cost break-down of the module's construction.

Reasons for a Module

The author describes how he built his NASG S-MOD-based module. It includes many construction and completed photos.

Ridgehill Central

The history and construction of the Southern Ontario S Scale Workshop's modular club layout. Includes a couple of photos of the layout.

Self-aligning Modules Using T-slot Extruded Aluminum

The author describes his solution for aligning FreeMo-based modules, which is to use aluminum T-slot components.

Short-and-Easy

The author describes the Southeastern Michigan S Gaugers modular layout's Power-Pack Tether that the club uses to route power to the modules.

Standard-Gauge Module Craftsmanship

The authors each describe how they built their modules for the joint NMRA/NASG Convention in Pittsburgh in 1991.

Sub Modules

Shows how to build small 5" x 5" (or multiples thereof) dioramas that can be interchanged on an NTRAK module so that the same module will look differently from time to time.

T-Track S

The author introduces himself, explains the T-Trak history, building the T-Trak modules, and showing them at a Farm Toy Show in Indianapolis (introducing a whole new audience to our S-scale trains).

T-TRAK Modules

The authors describe the new standard based on the Japanese idea of super-small modules that can be put together to build a large N-scale layout.

Tampa Bay Area S Scale Module Group

The authors meet at a local show, and proceed to set up an Sn3 modular layout. Includes several photos of close-ups on the layout, as well as a track plan.

That's Entertainment

The article covers the history of the Lookout Junction layout built by the Rocky Mountain Hi-Railers, based in Boise, Idaho. Includes the track plan and some photos of the layout.

The Bailey Bridge System

The author describes how he built a strip of Masonite hardboard, to which he fastened 3" track pieces as a quick way to install the bridge rail pieces between the modules of his yard.

The Big Lift

Building a self-supporting lift-up section for a modular layout so that walking through the layout is easier.

The HO Scale Modular Layout of the Knoxville Area Model Railroaders

A photo essay of the club's layout.

The Lauderdale Shore Line Model Railroad Club's Modules

A description of how this club's 20 modules were built, and what the various members of the club do.

The Mating Habits of the North American Module

The author shows how he built his own custom metal brackets to make sure the modules align perfectly each time.

The Miami Valley S Gaugers: Confessions of a Modular Group Part I

The start of this series covers how the club operates, and hosting multi-day events.

The Miami Valley S Gaugers: Confessions of a Modular Group Part II

Stories about things that went wrong in their club.

The Modular System, Concept and Uses

The basic concept behind modular model railroads. The author is willing to coordinate efforts.

The Module Corner

The author introduces the column that will cover topics related to modular model railroading in S-scale.

The New Modules of the Bay Area S Scalers

The author describes how the club needed a new layout, so they built their 11'x23' layout fit to the NASG S-MOD standard. Includes a couple of photos of engines on the layout.

The Oldest "S" Gauge Modular Layout

The author, at the time being a member of the Delaware Valley S Gaugers, describes how the club decided to build modules to form a layout back in 1972 in time for the 1973 NASG Convention. This article covers their construction techniques, how they handled the modules' borders, and includes many photos. In 1979 he moved to San Francisco, and the modules are now part of the Bay Area S Scalers club display layout.

The Oregon S Scalers' Portable Layout

The club's modules do not necessarily conform to the NASG's S-MOD standard, but the layout has been set-up a number of times in 1992. Includes several close-up photos.

The S-MOD System Building a Portable Control Panel Part 1

This article covers how to wire a block control panel to an S-MOD module. Includes wiring diagrams.

The S-MOD System Building a Portable Control Panel Part 2

In this installment, the control panel is actually designed and constructed, the switches are wired, and the module is tested.

The S-MOD System Checking the Wiring in Your Module

This article assumes that you have an S-MOD module, and you are having electrical issues. This was in response to the majority of the issues the author observed in others' modules. It covers the basics of the wiring scheme, and how to trouble-shoot an existing system.

The S-MOD System of Module Railroading Part 1

This installment starts the series with how to plan the module. This includes the overall dimensions and therefore weight of the module, how to integrate it with others', etc. There are several possible track plans included, as well as an S-MOD planning kit, consisting of parts one can photo-copy to layout out on a grid.

The S-MOD System of Module Railroading Part 2

This installment covers how to build a module's benchwork with simple tools.

The S-MOD System of Module Railroading Part 3

This installment covers the installation of the track.

This Is S Gauge Modular Layout Update

The author shares updates he has made to his traveling modular layout. Includes a couple of photos and a track plan. The idea behind the layout is to show American Flyer, but also the new products available in S-scale.

Thoughts on Modular Traction Design

The author is proposing three standards for interchangeable modular layouts using traction, as inspired by the NTrak standard. The standards are "rural/farm", "big city", and "heavy electric" modeling. Various track plans and model photos of the author's modules are included.

Tom Robinson Builds a Modular-Portable Display Layout

The author describes the modules he built for an S-scale display layout to take to local shows where no S-scale layouts were being set up. Includes photos and a track plan.

Tualatin Valley NTRAK

Building modules with a visual continuity modeled after the Pacific Northwest as part of the club.

Turning the Corner at Kanawha Falls

8' x 8' corner module.

Victoria NTRAK Club Layout

The article includes photos of the module, as well as a track plan drawing.

Washington & Old Dominion S Gaugers

A photo essay of the club working on their modules.

What's on Your Workbench?

A couple of photos of Warren's Sn2 layout that is a free-standing display which he takes to shows.