The ScOONs mini-module project

[Ian McAulay]

Following on from the article about the ScOONs mini-modules in the October and November 2025 issues of 009 News, I have updated the 'how-to' document about the modules. It's a combination of specification, handbook and hints. The latest update has expanded to a hefty 33 pages, but that's mainly because there are a lot of pictures in there.

The handbook can be found at https://tinyurl.com/scoons-modules (Your browser may complain that it's a security risk, but that's because it's a redirect to my personal Google Drive space.)

The modules had their latest outing on 25-26 October at the Aberdeen Model Railway Exhibition. This is the 7th time we have shown our modules. There are now 11 modules owned by 4 members which have been shown so far (with more under construction by others). The maximum number we have had on show at any one time is 8 and only 1 module has appeared at every exhibition.

We're pleased that our modular specification has worked well for our purposes. The intention was that we could build modules completely independently, without any reference jigs or test fitting, then converge on an exhibition, plug them together and they would just work. This has indeed been our experience so far. We've had a few minor hiccups but never a showstopper.

We has a run of 6 modules at this year's Aberdeen show (photo below showing team members Rik Morley and Jean McAulay just after we had finished setting up).