This week there has been a renewed interest in Sn2 Free-mo on the Sn2_Trains groups.io list. So I thought it would be timely to share an Sn2 Free-mo design I did back in 2014.
Back Story
The Sn2 Crew displayed a setup at the 2014 NMRA convention I met a fellow interested in building an Sn2 free-mo module. Dan’s had an interest in water and the two footers. He was will to build more than one module and indicated he had good wood working skills.
Dan did not know that much about the Maine two-footers I think he wanted to be apart of a group of fine modelers and the subject matter was not that critical. As such, I freelanced a design for him that would be interesting and could grow as his interests grew.
Grand Vision
Wiscasettesq setup as a sweeping curve (12″ squares)
The grand plan called for 5 modules
- Yard – Similar to the upper yard in Wiscasset, it serves as the core of the scene. I added an extra track so that it could be a junction.
- Wharf – The wharf is more like Hayden and Frary’s Thatcher’s inlet so that it is a through module.
- Car Float – Inspired by floats by Bob Hayden (HOn30) and Paul Scoles (Sn3) (scroll down on link)
- Trestle – Inspired by the trestles in Wiscasset and Harrison (B&SR)
- Along the River – Inspired by scenery north of Wiscasset or at North Bridgeton (B&SR)
All turnouts are #8 and all curves are 36″ radius or larger.
The Core
The core of Wiscassettesq is the yard. It has turntable, engine house, coal shed, and car shop. The module is two sections that are 8 feet long in total.
The yard module
An extra track was added near the car shop so this module can also serve as a junction. All free-mo modules should provide a through path, so the junction makes it possible to go to the stub ended car float and still have a through path.
All of the ends of the yard are 18″ wide with the track off center at 6″ and 12″ from the sides. This includes the junction too. So other 6-12″ ends would match up.
The second part of the core is the wharf. It provides switching opportunities and structure building opportunities.
Yard and Wharf together. Notice that the main is diagonal through the module with the 6″ fascia edges to opposite sides.
Water to be added at the edge of the yard near the car shop to make to seem as if the coast line (or river line) is along the edge of the modules.
Many more setups – Flexibility
Curving the other way. The Trestle module narrows to 12″ to meet the car float.
Car float as the off the yard for mega switching
A shorter version with wharf and float on branch. The trestle module and along the river module both have a 12″ end with track centered. That enables this setup to nearly be flat along a wall (probably with a slight tweak it could).
Narrow and short
The diversity of Wiscassettesq should make it fun for years. Start with the yard or the smaller modules. Add a train length turntable and it can be setup on its own. Add a few more modules and you have a full layout. The main yard and wharf are “beefy modules”, but could probably be transported in a small car. The additional modules are small thus could be tucked into any remaining space in the vehicle.
To my knowledge Dan never built the setup. That was as much on me as him. By Christmas of 2014 life was very busy, I was coaching my son in basketball so I had to tell him that I might not be setting up Sn2 in the near future so I could not promise comradery. I was burned out on Sn2 at the time too….
