Pocket Sized Modules

[Andrew G]

Hello Folks,

 

I've been interested in the concept of the Kato Mini-dioramas but do not want to go to the point of purchasing and importing them to Australia. Therefore I am experimenting with home made modules that will be compatible and have a bit more real estate. 5mm foam-core on 20mm high timber frames appears to to do the job. Other options are being investigated.

 

This Kato website and its associated pages expands the knowledge of the concept, https://www.kato-dioramakit.com/?fbclid=IwAR1R_p-5HhnjweyjgRSVfzRacc5PhM3i-qs9ViGPa_Uif7UOqvtyLfQwNaQ.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cheers, Andrew G

Edited May 22, 2023 by disturbman
post formatting

[Andrew G]

Here is the first of my (nearly) fully sceniced Kato Minidiorama compatible module.

[cteno4]

Nice Andrew! So much more fun to dream up a scene and decide the size and shape the modules needs to be and where the track needs to be and not let the modular format rule the scene.

 

jeff

[PaulMmn]

On 5/22/2023 at 5:41 AM, Andrew G said:

Hello Folks,

 

I've been interested in the concept of the Kato Mini-dioramas but do not want to go to the point of purchasing and importing them to Australia. Therefore I am experimenting with home made modules that will be compatible and have a bit more real estate. 5mm foam-core on 20mm high timber frames appears to to do the job. Other options are being investigated.

 

 

 

 

 

Cheers, Andrew G

Andrew--

I'm interested in these modules as an introduction to modeling.

I'd like permission to re-publish your module outlines as part of the NRail group's exploration of the Micro Modules.

--Paul E Musselman

 

[Andrew G]

Paul, At present I am working on what I think is a better rendition of the micromodule concept that is still compatible with the Kato mini diorama by having a track base height of 25mm,  but closer to a more mainstream concept of modules. Still keeping the 183mm curve but opting for 186mm straights if the 124mm is a bit short of the planned scene. The 186mm length also allows a loco or piece of rolling stock to properly enter into the module and be contained by it. The basic U.S.A 40ft box car or switcher is about 80mm long and the Kato Minidiorama is only 124mm, so it alomst `flashes in and out' of the module. The Dimensions of the pentagonal 45 degree curve modules still needs a bit of fine tuning. The curve module in the photos is totally 5mm foamcore and the straight module is a 5mm foamcore module top with 25mm high 3mm thick balsa wood sides. I glue in small blocks of wood to provide a solid material to nail the Unitrack into.

We should probably discuss the concepts a bit more and have some other modellers do some `beta testing' of the concept before widely publishing anything. Thank-you for the interest.

Edited September 13, 2023 by Andrew G

[Andrew G]

23 hours ago, PaulMmn said:

Andrew--

I'm interested in these modules as an introduction to modeling.

I'd like permission to re-publish your module outlines as part of the NRail group's exploration of the Micro Modules.

--Paul E Musselman

 

Paul, please see the post above ...

[Andrew G]

Hello All, Myself and a few other modellers are moving along with developing "Pocket Sized Modules" that are fully compatible with the Kato Mini Diorama modules, but allow for more `real estate'. Attached are some photos plus a PDF copy of a very incomplete draft of the module guidelines. They provide enough information to build modules but do not yet cover electrics and other details and considerations. ant feedback is most welcome.

Also see on Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/85896932@N07/albums/72177720309074008/with/53341606810

Cheers, Andrew of Auz.

Pocket Sized Modules - Draft Guidelines - 2024-04-09 .pdf

Edited April 24 by Andrew G

[cteno4]

Andrew,

 

Great, good of you to produce this document. This goes hand in hand with the mini onetrak modules I’ve been working on with the wooden canvases for those not able to do any woodworking. I’ve got the same basic specs of 1” height to track base and minimum 1mm overhang from the edge of the modules.

 

Great thing about these mini modules is other specs are not needed as it’s so flexible to wander modules around on a table with a  few more bits of track between some modules and mix and match radiuses.

 

jeff