Bill Pontin said:Hi inkanner, I agree, it sure would make things easier with the type layouts you described. There are however advantages in having a square or rectangular layout for modular shows. In most cases, these layouts fully utilize the floor space allocated the club for the show. They also seperate the viewing public from the operators or module owners. I would rather face the viewer, over a module, as I answer questions or point out details. Last and most important, the open space provides a safehaven for the clubs equipment and your own trains when not in use. Most of the viewing public are fantastic and respectfull, unfortunately there are some that would think nothing of rummaging through your boxes of trains if left out.
Bill Pontin said:Hi again inkaneer, really like your term "FortNtrak." Your Club is fortunate that you can make the layouts you describe but our Club is locked into the box shape. Many members of our Club have extra wide modules with seperate loops of operating track and setup yards behind their skyboards. It was for this reason, myself and another member, designed the walk through module. My knees bothered me for days after a show from crawling in and out. QUOTE]
Extra wide modules should not be a problem. Consider that the minimum corner is three feet. Two of these joined together results in a layout width of 6 feet. Since the typical mosdule is two feet wide that means that of the 6 foot with of the layout the standard module only takes up 2 feet or 4 feet for two of them. That leaves two feet from the back of one module to the back of another on the opposite side. Extra wide modules can be accomodated easily. The setup tracks are another problem. Are they necessary? But one thing is important here. Our situation may differ from yours. Our club sets up in one of the larger Great Train Expo shows [advertized at 500 tables] where space is at a premium. Along with all the vendors we compete with another Nscale club, two HO clubs an S scale club as well as an O scale hi rail and a G scale Garden layout. Getting the most layout in the smallest space is beneficial to us and the show.