Shoofly free-moN module - 23
Fun Free-moN Facts
Free-mo and Free-moN are a set of modular standards, devel-
oped from “Fremo” in Europe about 20 years ago. The stan-
dards defines the end plates, track type and wiring, but leave
what goes on between the end plates up to the modeler. That’s
the “Free” part. The 50” display height, single mainline, and
focus on realistic scenery and operations inspires the modeler
to create simple yet highly-detailed modules that, when joined
together in any order, form a compositionally cohesive “layout”
that’s fun to operate in a prototypical fashion.
The complete Free-moN Standards can be viewed at
The basics include –
Module Benchwork:
50” rail height at setup
Endplates are ¾” birch ply
Endplates are 6” tall and between 12”-24” wide
Section joints are up to the modeler, and each module may
include as many sections, and in whatever shapes, the
modeler decides
model railroaders immediately recognize the scene from John
Armstrong’s inspirational sketch. So thank you, John, for pro-
viding such fertile ground for a first Free-moN module!
Track:
Code 55
22” radius minimum curves on mainline
#6 minimum turnouts on mainline
At end plates, first 4” of the single mainline is straight and
centered
Wiring:
12 AWG stranded for main power and control busses
22 AWG stranded for feeders
Anderson Power Pole connectors used at module ends, fol-
lowing the “Left Over” rule: Looking at the end plate,
whichever power pole and bus is connected to the left rail
goes above the right
Each section of track has feeders or soldered rail joiners
Scenery:
First few inches from the module ends are brownish and
flat, with no roads or rivers terminating at the end plates
This is to ensure some continuity between modules
Scenery is realistic and (preferably) based on a specific pro
totypical location.
BUT! While not a Standard, the #1 “unofficial” rule of Free-
moN is: “If it doesn’t fit in your OWN car, it doesn’t exist!!”
In other words: if you can’t get your module to a show with
your own transportation, it’s probably not going to be at the
show! So measure your car/truck space first and design a mod-
ule based on that. And don’t build an 8’ module and then buy
a Mini Cooper! Get the Mini first, and then build four 2’-sec-
MRH-Nov 2013
