British N Gauge Modular Groups

[Michael Fearn]

Hello,

I am a recent new member of the NGS, and having read the article on pages 36 to 41 of journal 3/12 I would like to know if there any groups located in the UK that build and operate modular layouts based on any of the FREMO statndards, or indeed any other modular standards such as N-Trak.

Regards,
Michael Fearn

[Michael Fearn]

I should have added that I am asking about UK based groups modelling the British prototype, as I am already aware of the British NMRA groups modelling the American prototype.

Regards,
Michael

[Tank]

Welcome to the forum Michael.   I don't know the answer I'm afraid, but I hope somebody near you does. 

[Kettle]

Hi Michael, we at the Berkshire Area Group have a large 4 track modular layout based on the NMod standard.
Details of our group and layouts can found on this site http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=3885.0

and on our website  at www.bagladdies.weebly.com

and on the N Gauge Society web site http://www.ngaugesociety.com/index.php?page=Area-Group-contacts

Visitors are always welcome.

Best regards, Richard

[Cimmerian]

But that's only just up the road from me!!

Why did nobody tell me about this?

[Michael Fearn]

Richard,

Thank you for your reply and invite. Unfortunately, being in Staffordshire/Derbyshire, Berkshire is a bit far me. However, I am interested to learn more about the NMod standard, which I have not heard of before.

After some browsing/searching I have found and read the Berks standard (http://bagladdies.weebly.com/layouts.html), the West Sussex standard (http://www.wsng.co.uk/Module%20Design.htm) and the Yorkshire standard (http://www.yorkshirengauge.org.uk/page17.html). There appear to be some variations between these and differences in the level of detail.

Has the NGS published the NMod standard at all, as I am unable to find any reference to this on the NGS website?

Regards,
Michael

[MacRat]

Michael,  I'm not aware of UK based modelers who currently model UK prototype to Fremo N standards. I know that a few UK based people model Continental prototype to Fremo H0 standards and there seem to be a few interested in British prototype 0e modules to Fremo standards.

BTW, I'm personally guilty of not finishing the translation to English language of the Great-britN standards. I blame the crazy economy here that produces to much work for to few people, at least where I work. So, if you have specific questions, just ask.

[Michael Fearn]

MacRat,

Thank you for your reply. Are the Great-BritN standards published in German at all? If so then I may be able to make sense with the help of Google Translate.

I suppose the key things I would need to know for the Great-BritN spec (specification) are:

• the end profiles for single, double track (Is there a four track spec in N-RE or Great-BritN?)
• track specification (I'm hoping peco code 55 would be okay here)
• how the track joins between modules (It is not clear to me how this works on http://blauthermik-rostock.de/nre-norm/modul/modul_gleise.htm so perhaps a drawing/diagram would be helpful)
• the spec for electrical connenctions at the ends and for transmission of power along the module

I presume these would all be in the N-RE spec (http://blauthermik-rostock.de/nre-norm/nre-norm.htm), but please point out if there are any differences in the Great-BritN spec.

Regards,
Michael

[MacRat]

Michael

Yes, the Great-britN guidelines were published in German. But unfortunately the server seems currently not to be accessible. I can send you a PDF version when I'm back home this evening.

Re your questions:

• End profiles for single and double track are the same as specified in http://blauthermik-rostock.de/nre-norm/nre-norm.htm . The only difference is the reduced height top of rail above floor level. In a revised version of the Great-britN norm I'm currently working on there will be recomendations for ECML and WCML style of four track, though currently there is no design work done for it.
• Peco Code 55 is absolutely acceptable, preferably with the long point. The smallest radius allowed is 457 mm (18 inch) with the recomendation not going below 900 mm on station platforms and above 1000 m for landscape modules. However, there are already exceptions to this build. I hope the new Code 40 track discussed elswhere here could be used too if the points are to NEM standards (which is actually finer than Peco). As long as the track accepts NEM and NMRA RP25 wheels it will work.
• The track stops just at the end plate. When two modules are connected there will be a small gap. The electric connection is done with cabels provided below the modules. I don't know if I could manage to provide drawings, maybe I can source photographs.
• Just 4mm banana plug and sockets. More details later when I'm back home.

The Great-britN is derived from the N-RE, with just minor amendments for British-specific things and the height of the modules. The electric and mechanics are the same.

[MacRat]

I've uploaded a PDF of the 2009 version in German language to the Media section:[smg id=1635 type=av].
The (not so) online version is currently offline due to a contract change. The owner is already looking into it.

Please note that this version was the first version called Great-britN. Since then we have learnt a lot that is worth to be written down or to be amended. Some statements are even not true anymore. I'm currently thinking to create a combined document for N-RE and Great-britN as there are only minor differences between them.

Edit 2012-10-14: The new version has been posted to the media section: [smg id=2343 type=av]

[MacRat]

Re point 3, at http://www.blauthermik-rostock.de/Modellbahn/ModellbahnModule.html you'll find pictures showing the endplates and one method how the track can be fixed at the ends.

Disclaimer, this are not my pictures nor have I build the modules.

[Michael Fearn]

MacRat, thank you for the extra info. The photos on the link provided are most informative.

[haeckmaen]

Hi there,

just to give a more graphic description what the Great-brit N stuff is about and hopefully to generate some extra interest in the guidelines, I'd like to present a recently finished module right here which aimed to meet the guidelines almost 100 %.

The module pictured here is a result of my need for some relief from endless scratchbuilding buildings for my Penzance modular project and will hopefully be a useful addition to our group's existing range of modules. Though mostly representing a generic country image, I tried to give it a distinctive cornish accent fitting a disued tin mine.






















However, what I'd like to set focus on here and to point out by the pics is that the continental origins of this specific modular concept don't affect its acceptability for a representation of UK prototypes in any way. IMO it's quite worth considering this concept if you're looking for modular setting anyway since in many cases it won't be necessary to reinvent the wheel where practical solutions are readily available 

Any questions regarding the concept or the module itself are of course most welcome

Hope you like it,
Matthias

[Donkey]

Superb, and the disused tin mine is just inspired 

Marty

[Newportnobby]

Excellent work, Matthias