The Engineers
Why be anything else when you can be an engineer!?©
| The Engineers
Why be anything else when you can be an engineer!?© |
Utah Free-mo
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Utah Free-mo is a group of modelers building HO modules. Individual group members bring their modules together to form a large layout that is realisticly operated. The layout is run in a point-to-point fashion. It is never our intention to form a large loop to run trains in a continuous circle.
The group is following the modular standards developed by Free-mo.org. All standards, including the 50 inch height, wiring, etc are strictly adhered to in an effort to insure that our modules are compatible with others that are being built by clubs in other western states, and nationally. Our group has participated in numberous multiple-group layouts in Utah, California, Colorado, and Arizona, creating large layouts for significant shows and conventions. The concept behind Free Mo railroading isn't a new idea. The concept originated in in Europe where they have been building modular layouts using this Free modular concept for some time.
Since the layout is modular it can take on many shapes and sized to fit the space. Below are the diagrams of many of the shows we have attended. As you scroll down you can see the growth of the group as new modules and participants from othe groups have allowed us to set up more complex layouts.
More detailed information about the layouts set up at specific shows has been posted on the Show Page . As you can see from the diagrams, our layout has grown significantly over this time period as new modules have been built. Since 2007 Utah Free-mo members have setup their modules in conjunction with other groups. Size constraints and other issues have kept the group from setting up at local shows.
Below is a table of the current modules built and owned by Utah Free-mo members.
| Photo | Module Name | Owner | Description |
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Faust | Mike Nelson | Constructed by Ted York, this three module 90 degree corner set is currently owned by Mike NElson. Passing siding with no. 8 turnouts. MOW or Bad order set out track. Turnout control is push rod. Based on a prototypical location on the Union Pacifics mainline between Salt Lake and Los Angeles. |
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Smokey Point Yard | This is a five module set double ended yard. Mainline and siding on the outside (soutside). Twelve storage tracks. Short switch leads at each end. Team track and freight transfer facility and locomotive shops under construction. Locomotive ready tracks along side both throats. Fully Free-mo compliant. Turnout Control is push rod. Built by Russ Ridgeway and Sterling Moore with assistance from other group members. | |
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Crescent Flat | Bill Schlotthauer | Four modules make up this module set that features a siding, spur and junction with a branchline. Based upon Brendel, Utah where the Rio Grande's Cane Creek Branch (to the Potash Plant outside Moab) joins the Mainline. |
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Summit | Mike Nelson | A nine module turning loop with a 13 foot diameter. The track was recently rebuilt to a five track staging yard and the modules were resceniced. The
loop is comprised of 4 straight modules and four modules with 45 degree angles at
the ends. The lenght of the straight modules was chosen to fit the trailer Mike
uses to haul the modules. The track interfaces of the modules require that the
loop be kept together as a set. Turnout control on the main and sidings will be Lameco switch motors controlled by a DS54 stationary decoder as well a toggle mounted in a recessed opening in the facia. Mike uses hinges to line the modules together as well as a unique hinge system for the legs of the straight modules. |
| Sphynx | Mike Nelson | A five module passing siding set. | |
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Wash | Sterling Moore | This is a 45 degree corner built to Jim Moore's plan. Jim Moore built the famework and Adam Eastman built the remainder of the module. It features a single track maninline running thought scenery. The mainline passes over two culverts an through a deep cut. The scenery is made using "Glue Shell." Traditional cardboard strips were covered with cheesecloth. Blue shop towels (paper) were then dipped in a dilluted white glue mixtures and laid over the cheesecloth. The method produced a strong and light scenery base that Adam covered using traditional methods. The module has been owned by Adam, Blaine Hadfield and Sterling Moore. |
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Sterling | Sterling Moore | Two five foot modules make up this module set. Each module has a 6 inch bump out to accommodate the structures. The module set features a siding as well as industrial trackage for the Champion Meat Packing Company, the adjacent cattle pens and other industries. |
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Mounds | Sterling Moore | Five module asymmetrical loop. The plan features a passing siding. One side features a separate track for a coal loader while the other side features a large cement plant. |
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Mounds Extension | Sterling Moore | This 8 foot modulue was built to extend the distance between Sterling's Mounds Loop and adjacent modules. However, the module meets all Free-mo standards for a stand alone module and can be used anywhere in a layout. The module features a single track mainline with scenery. It also features a dry stream bed crossed by a BLMA cement segmental bridge. |
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Intermountain Farmers | Dave Winkler | State Road 89 passes over the railroad on this four foot module which features a single track mainline and an industrial spur which serves a regional agricultural supply business, the Intermountain Farmers Association (IFA). The module also utilizes Lee Valley folding leg hardware. |
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Greg New Module #1 | Greg Mac | A three foot module with a single track mainline. A highway crosses the mainline in this rural town. Main Street fronts the trackage. |
| Some of the additional modules owned by former members or others outside the group which have participated in previous Utah Free-mo layouts. | |||
| Photo | Module Name | Owner/Group | Description |
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Spanish Fork | Dave Spritke/ Retired | Two four foot modules make this set. A short siding allows easier switching of the several industries to be located on this module set. This inspiration for this module is the town of Spanish Fork Utah. While the track plan is free lanced. The station and industries are modeled after structures in the town. Dave now lives in Colorado and participates with Colorado Free-mo. |
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Jim's 45 | Jim Moore | This 45 degree corner was built by Jim and is the prototype for virtually all of the 45 degree corners in the group. It currently features basic run through scenery. |
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Jack Rabbit Flats | Jim Moore | Currently owned by Scott Gentry this module set is comprised of three four foot modules. Jack Rabit Flats features a single track mainline and scenery. Loosely based on the rolling hills of Nebraska, the construction of the modules were a team effort. Scott Gentry, Mike Nelson, Sterling Moore, Ted York, Jim Moore and others all contributed to the module construction. Construction is plywood ladder frame with styrofoam top covered with plastercloth. |
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Thompson Springs | Retired and Scrapped | Built by Adam Eastman, this is a two module 90 degree corner featuring a 42 inch curve. To save space the modules are designed to always be used together. The set is built with a continuous curve and contoured scenery where the module join. Depicting a generic rural farm area of Utah, Thompson Creek passes through one module through a culvert bridge. Highway 89 crosses the main on the other module with pastures and fields surrounding the creek and road. This module was sold to Blaine Hadfield and then to Bob Rogers. After being damaged in 2007, Bob decided it was beyond repair and scrapped the module. |
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Sugar City | Retired and Scrapped | This multi-module set built by Mike Hansen features a dual guage interchange and narrow gauge yard and engine facility. It was used at setups in 2004-2005. The module is to branchline standards as the rail is Code 70 throughout. The core of the set consist of three modules. Two mini-mo modules extend the three rail trackage and allow for switching leads for the narrow gauge operations. The set also features a large sugar factory. This module recieved extensive water damage while in storage and was beyond repair. |
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Carson's Corners | Burt Ankrom/ Retired? | Two 45 degree corners design. The modules are complete with basic scenery. The modules were build by Mike Hansen and owned by Mike, Dave Vickers, And Burt. |
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Payson | Burt Ankrom/Retired? | This is a three module set, consisting of three, three foot modules built by Mike Hansen. Mike utilized short sections for ease of storage, and hauling. It has a passing siding, speeder sheds and a spur. The modules have been owned by Mike, Dave Vickers, and Burt Ankrom. |
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Wind River | Burt Ankrom/Retired? | This is a set of two modules each 3 feet long. The module features a single mainline track that runs through the modules. The mainline enters a deep cut and a short tunnel as it runs through Wind River Ridge. The modules were build by Mike Hansen and have been owned by Mike, Dave Vickers, and Burt Ankrom. |
The group is currently following a set of Policies and Procedures concerning club organization, module, scenery and rolling stock standards. Additionally, the group has established guidelines for membership. These steps are being taken to promote and insure better operation of the layout. This subsequently will promote and insure harmony within the group and, the enjoyment of each group member. Rules and policies for the group may be added or changed as the group deems necessary.