Modules are a means for model railroaders to bring their creations to public spaces and assemble them to show their layouts to the convention attendees. These are placed in display rooms and judged for various awards. Most shown at national conventions are very well done.
One such set of modules is known as "Soggy Bottoms" This is a light hearted combination of turn of the century canal boats and early steam engines. Many of the buildings on the layout are based on real world structures.
