Changed allocation procedure since 2024
We distinguish between two types of addresses: permanently allocated addresses and temporary addresses that are only allocated for a single meeting.
The permanently allocated addresses correspond to the previous allocation practice. Initially, there will be no changes to existing permanently allocated addresses.
Temporarily allocated addresses will be reallocated for each meeting. They remain flexible and can be altered as required. To make this process possible, we need to keep enough space free within the address space, which is reserved for these temporary allocations.
Assignment of permanently assigned addresses
Due to the limited number of addresses, we have to allocate permanently assigned addresses very restrictively. There are essentially three cases in which a permanent allocation is justifiable:
- Technical restrictions: Locomotives that cannot easily be reprogrammed for technical reasons. However, this case only affects a very small number of vehicles. Some such restricted special decoders can already be found in the special addresses below 100.
- Technical or personal hurdles: Players who are unable to reprogramme their locomotives regularly - either because they lack the technical equipment or because reprogramming is too great a technical hurdle for them.
- Reduced effort for active players: This case is more difficult to assess. Reprogramming locomotives undeniably requires effort. However, some players contribute a great amount to the success of a meeting, be it through the provision of large amounts of equipment, many track modules, large stations or through their organisational work. To relieve the burden on these players, they should be granted permanently allocated addresses.
However, this allocation practice can appear unfair if, for example, a person with only two or three locomotives does not receive a permanently allocated address, while someone with 68 permanently allocated locomotives receives an additional address for the 69th locomotive easily.
It is therefore important to consider the overall context: How much does a person contribute overall, and is the reprogramming reasonable for them? It is up to the segment administrators to assess this, who need to scrutinise the needs and make a fair assessment with a little sensitivity and knowledge of human nature. Anyone wishing to receive a permanently allocated address should therefore contact their preferred segment administrator and justify their requirements.
Documentation of permanently allocated addresses
Allocation of addresses of each segment is documented online. This ensures that the allocation can be clarified quickly and unambiguously in the event of double allocations and that the documentation continues to exist if a table is lost (computer crash, leaving Fremo, etc.).
The segment table provides an overview of the available segment documentation. External documentation is possible, but documentation stored directly on fremo-net is preferred and does not cause much effort.
Temporary allocation of addresses
Technically, it is only necessary to assign unique addresses within a meeting or even within an arrangement. Participants therefore receive temporary addresses for their locomotives, programme the decoder accordingly, assign the Fred and use a different address at the next meeting.
The organisers of the meeting must appoint a contact person who allocates the temporary addresses and documents the allocation. Temporary addresses can also be allocated directly at the meeting. For this purpose, a list of all available addresses is laid out, in which participants register their locomotive number and name.
Segments 72xx to 74xx are available for temporary allocation.
To facilitate the use of temporary addresses, a separate system can be used within a meeting or region. For example, a person could always use the address range 7210 to 7230. However, it should be clear to everyone that such assignments are still only valid for one meeting and can lead to conflicts when attending a meeting in another region. Locomotive owners can simplify the allocation process by specifying their desired addresses when requesting temporary addresses.
Documentation of temporary addresses
It is up to the organisers of the meetings to allocate the temporary addresses from the 72xx-74xx range to guests. It is best to do this well in advance or even directly when registering so that the participants have enough time to reprogramme their locomotives. The easiest way is probably to allocate blocks of 5 or 10 addresses at once. As the allocation of temporary addresses is only valid for this meeting, you can be generous - it's the absolute exception that 300 locomotives are actively used.
Of course you can delegate the allocation. Name a person whom the players should contact. However, this temporary allocation is still only valid for one meeting!
The allocation of temporary addresses is documented - using an Excel list, Google Doc or pen and paper. To make it easier for you to create the list, a template is available below as an Excel or pdf file.
At the meeting, you lay out the list so that participants can spontaneously obtain additional temporary addresses. This list should contain the addresses pre-printed as well as free space for the locomotive number and contact person. Ideally, an option for programming the loco and assigning the Fred is set up right next to it independently of the arrangement digital command station.
Several lists, for example one at each digital command station, are possible if it is ensured that addresses are not allocated twice. The best way to do this is to subdivide the temporary address space and only lay out part of the complete list at the respective command station.
Which groups does this address allocation procedure apply to?
Only for H0-RE post 1945, but this is the largest group in Fremo and also the most widely distributed -- so these rules apply across Europe, across all railway administrations, all eras and all narrow gauge railways (except RhB) -- in short: For all those who contribute to the large H0 standard gauge arrangements.
The other groups that do not build common arrangements with the large H0-RE group due to technical incompatibility (different wheelset standard, track gauge or even different scale) or because there is a time buffer (H0-old plays the year 1928, the time of the Second World War is not represented in Fremo), use their own allocation procedures.
If you have vehicles that can play in both H0-RE and other groups, it is best to use temporary addresses for H0-RE!
