Who is New Jersey Free-mo?
New Jersey Free-mo is an open group of model railroaders who construct, operate and display Free-mo HO scale modular layouts throughout the greater New Jersey area and beyond. There are no elected officials, no dues, no club property. Instead, the group is there to help each other design and build modules that meet the Free-mo standard.All modules are free to take on any shape and size (adhering to the national Free-mo standard), while emphasizing prototypical operations and realistic scenery.
Though not affiliated with the National Model Railroad Association (NMRA), the New Jersey Free-mo group got its start within the confines of the New Jersey Division of the NMRA.
For additional information, take a look at the NJ Free-mo Handout.
So then what is Free-mo?
Free-mo is a standard used to build realistic HO scale modules depicting prototype railroading in the US and Canada. Developed over the last 15+ years, Free-mo has allowed module builders to successfully construct thousands of prototype-based modules, and then set them up and operate them with other modules built to the standard from all over North America.
Free-mo was developed with the idea that a standard that focused mainly on the module endplates would enable faithful modeling of prototype track and operations between the ends. Module length and track configuration are entirely up to the modeler.
For more information on Free-mo and the standard, visit free-mo.org.
Free-mo in action
Free-mo module builders gather at various events to construct unique and free-form modular layouts. Shown to the right is a plan for one of these layouts.
Many single track modules are linked to fill the available space and provide a prototypical operating layout that the members can enjoy for the duration of the event, from a few hours to multiple days.
Because a standard is followed, module builders from NJ as well as anywhere in the US can be assured their modules will quickly connect to other modules with proper alignment and electrical connections!
Visitors enjoying Woodstown Jct., a 3 section module built by NJ Free-mo member Mike McNamara
Part of the large Free-mo layout at the Big E show in W. Springfield, Massachusetts held each January