At one particular point in time I had seriously contemplated modeling Aikman Kansas on Free-mo modules. As interesting as Aikman was, it lacked a lot of flavor since it is located out in the middle of nowhere. Aikman had it's place on the Santa Fe, but I just didn't feel modeling it would be a challenge.

Still wanting to build a Free-mo module at a prototype location, I went on the hunt. Hours upon hours were spent researching a prototype location in Kansas and I just couldn't find something which would meet my own personal needs. Then I went back home one weekend and remembered Hackney, Kansas which is located between Winfield and Arkansas City. The three largest elements I wanted to model without compromise were: a Grain Elevator, a passing siding, and signals. When I arrived at Hackney, I was dead set on modeling it for all of the elements were present. Plus, I haven't scratchbuilt any structures before, so I feel I'm up to the challenge.

Pictures and progress will be updated here gradually when I am ready to start construction, but I will have a full, in depth build article on my other website, Santa Fe Prototypes. The adress is: http://www.santafeprototypes.com/
These modules will belong to Southeast Kansas Free-mo.

Many trips will be made to take measurements from all the structures and pre-planning has begun. I have preached and preached on pre-planning any Free-mo Module and I am saying it once again. PRE-PLAN! What I found was I can incorporate all of the major scenic elements and still be able to transport the modules.

Below you will see drawings I created with 3rd PlanIt which is precision track planning and layout design software. For more information visit: http://www.trackplanning.com/
This is (in my opinion) a very user-friendly program and allows you to not only create the module benchwork and track, but you can visualize it in 3D. It also allows you to plot easements, place structures and operate it as well.

The overall dimensions will be 5, 5' modules for a total length of 25'. I had to compromise on the length as the actual length in 1 to 1 is 8,023 Feet! If my calculations are correct it is equivalent to 1.5 actual miles. Now, I would model it foot by foot, however I probably will never be able to store and transport that many modules. So realistically, I'm cutting it down to 25 actual feet.

To learn more about Free-mo visit: http://free-mo.org/

To learn more about Southeast Kansas Free-mo visit: http://www.trainweb.org/sek-mo/