Those who follow this site will notice a new On30 Modular Group link — Eastern Carolina On30. This is a new group based in Eastern North Carolina, and, while they’re developing their own standard, the decisions they’ve made thus far are bringing them towards a standard that will interface perfectly with any of the other MADModule-based groups.
Upcoming Show News
Plans are coming along for our setup at Kimberton in May. So far, we know that we’ll have Kevin’s serpentine connecting modules; Geren’s yard section. Charlie, Bill and Greg promise to bring a bit over 20′ in modules, and Nathan from the Tri-State group will be debuting his new Sheepscott station module.
Bob Beebe expects that we’ll be able to have the same space as last year, and it looks like we’ll be able to use every bit of it!
There’s not much action on the Great Scale Model Train Show setup. It would have been a great time for a debut connection with the James River Division guys. Unfortunately, they’ve scheduled a setup day down in Midlothian on the 4th, so they won’t be able to make it.
Standards Update
As has been mentioned on the group and on the standards page of this site, we’re getting ready to make some changes and additions to the module standards. I’ve gathered almost all of the required data and drawings for the additions, and will start on the draft copy either late this week or early next.
Remember: The proposed changes to the specification will in no way invalidate existing modules or module sets. If you’ve built (or plan to build) a module to the current (version 1) spec, you’ll have no trouble connecting with modules built to the new specs. The changes in the new document will be more along the lines of “Recommended Practices,” to borrow a term from the NMRA. You will be free to adopt any, all, or none of the changes!
The possible exception to the above is the addition of Anderson PowerPole connectors between the modules for track power. Having finally seen and experienced the use of these connectors, I believe them to the “the way” to go for inter-module or inter-section connection (‘though I will be sticking with my “trailer plugs” for my intra-section connectors — they’re in place and they work).