TOMA Phase Two Underway

Revised Phase Two Sketch

I left off my last post with a desire to revise my plan for Phase Two and start with the new benchwork. As seen above, I shortened the plan for the new module and came up with this working plan. 

After sketching the plan, my next step involved unburying the sheet of half inch plywood from the back of a pile of lumber in the garage and purchasing a new blade for my Skilsaw. Still out in the garage, I cut a two foot by six foot section to bring into the basement to work from in order to fashion the top of the benchwork for the now six foot long cut and fill module. My plan was not to just create a flat rectangular benchtop, but to incorporate a curved front as well as some lower sections for the "fill" to rise up from. Later I will create the hill with the cut on top of the plywood base.

Using measurements of where the track on the modules to either side will be, my layout plan sketch, and some track I drew out the track plan on the plywood. If you click on the photo to enlarge it, you can see where I drew in the curved front of this new module. I started sketching in the track plan in pencil at this point as well, but I went over the curved front with a marker to make it easy to see. That will be the first cut with my saber saw. 

After cutting out the curved front of the plywood panel, I continued with drawing the track plan on the plywood. I first sketched in some initial ideas for the lowered section or ravine that will be cut out. I also did some basic calculations to get an idea of how low these dropped sections need to go. I have a trestle that I built from a Campbell kit years ago that I plan to use on the drill track. I also have a concrete culvert kit for the fill section. I wanted to make sure I had room for these. Then I cut out those sections that will be dropped below the rest of the plywood top. 

After cutting the plywood to its final shape, I started designing and construction of the grid framework. In this photo, it is completed and resting on sawhorses, ready for the installation of the top. To actually build the grid, I had the plywood on the sawhorses and laid out the "one by" pine panels on top of it. I used basic glue and screw techniques to put the grid together.  Having two drill motors made fast work of drilling and then screwing the parts together. 

In this photo from earlier today, the top and recessed areas are positioned in place, as is the trestle. After I took this photo I went ahead and glued and screwed the plywood top in place. One trick that I tried before final assembly was to reposition the plywood under the grid on the sawhorses in order to pencil in exactly where the grid frame pieces would be before reconfiguring the panel back on top. I also avoided positioning screws under future track locations as well as countersinking the screw heads, so they would be hidden under future scenery. 

I plan to continue working on this new section as a module as I find that it is much easier to complete some of the next steps by tipping it upside down or on edge rather than crawling under the installed benchwork. I need to complete some more prep work before installing this section as well; floor painting and extending the backdrop come to mind.

Basement to Trainroom Continued

Earlier this week I finished painting the foundation walls, completing one step of the transition to trainroom. While nowhere near as wet as last spring when the sump pump failed, the floor has a couple of areas where the existing green paint is missing and moisture is seeping in. A next step, painting the floor, will have to either wait or be done in sections avoiding moisture. Generally the "French Drain Canal" has been channeling the water to the drain in the far corner of the basement successfully, and the existing green paint seals the moisture away.

When my wife and I moved the Ferndale Junction module into place, she pointed out that, even with the fold down section, she felt it was too close to the well pressure tank and inlet plumbing. Her point is that we should allow room for someone to work if (or when) we need work done. So, we moved the module back a bit, and I have been sketching out a plan for a six foot rather than seven foot module for the new section between Nooksack and Ferndale Junction. I really don't want to set myself up for a serious "I told you so" situation. 

Next steps appear to be some floor cleaning and painting as well as finalize the plan and get started on the benchwork for the new cut and fill module/section. 

Staying On Track: Updates Continue

 

With the wiring and clean ups coming together in the basement/train room, I went ahead and unpacked the buildings from Nooksack and placed them in their intended locations. Having finished the background warehouse for the packing house scene, that area is ready for next layer of scenery such as ground cover application. However, before I jump into that I want to continue with the next phase of construction of benchwork and backdrop as it will be just to the left (west) of this scene.

Just in the last few days I picked up some 1 by lumber for benchwork construction. I started by cutting to length before glueing and screwing together some 1 x 2 and 1 x 3 boards to form an L-girder.  The back edge of the new section will rest on this L-girder shelf. I discussed this new section, designed to create some scenery and connect the Ferndale Junction module with Nooksack, in an earlier post. As implied by the placement of the L-girder shelf, the new section will continue with open grid construction. I explored a couple of other benchwork approaches, but decided to stick with open grid benchwork with a couple of adaptations. I do plan to drop part of the plywood below track level to create the bottom of a lowered ravine section of the cut and fill scene. I may also use a subtle cookie cutter technique to create a bit of incline for the yard lead track. A third adaptation will be a slightly curved front edge to this section of benchwork, anticipating future expansion plans where this area will accommodate a narrow aisle. While the benchwork here has all been pretty rectangular, I did build a curvey, multilevel section in my attic layout in Meadville. The next steps with this section include extending the backdrop and cutting the plywood (or cardboard template) to shape, so that I can finalize the track and framework plans. 

While the painting of the basement walls is still not complete, I did finish this section between the laundry area and the furnace a couple of weeks ago. If I would just knuckle down and do it, I have only one section of the exposed foam coating of the stone walls left to paint. Granted it likely will be the trickiest, with lots of pipes and other household infrastructure to work around, but it should be doable in one day's work. While the area behind the new section and Ferndale Junction's walls are painted, I should paint the floor and do any hydrostatic concrete repair before the permanent installation of those modules takes place. As I paint the walls, it just makes me more aware of how beat up and unsightly the floor appears. Prepping and painting the floor is a bit of a gumption trap, but I must bite the bullet before I make it even harder for myself by fixing more benchwork in place. 

Ingleton Updates

Ingleton with fascia and Power Cab installed

The last time I posted about bringing the Ingleton shelf back to life, I listed six items to work on in checklist form. Over the last few weeks I have completed the first two.

I saved  a piece of beveled siding that the previous owners used in the bar area of the basement to use as the fascia. After trimming it to the correct length, I couldn't decide how to best attach it to the shelf. It is seen leaning against the shelf in this photo.  Without some form of support, I was convinced that a connection between the 3/4" shelf edge and the narrow beveled edge of the fascia would be flimsy at best. Also seen in the photo is what I decided to do--I glued a 1" x 2" along the bottom of the front of the shelf. My thinking was that would give enough support to the fascia after it was screwed in place. 

Before attaching the fascia, I figured out the appropriate size opening for the NCE Power Cab throttle panel, marked it, and cut it out, remembering that I had limited wire length to work with from the existing bus wire. Also before attaching the fascia, I applied the first coat of SW Andiron, my standard fascia paint color. Then I clamped the fascia in place and attached it with drywall screws and finishing washers before applying a second coat of paint. 

Since the shelf already had the DCC bus installed, completing the installation of the Power Cab system was quite easy. The supplied wall wart cable plugs into the back and the two track wires screw into the green clip that then also slides onto the back of the panel. I found that using a white pencil to mark the screw hole locations on the fascia works best with my dark fascia color. The mounting screws are not included with the package, but I have a collection of screws on hand. I followed the NCE guideline of having the LED to the bottom and plugging the flat wire into the left port. To finish the installation after mounting the panel, I also drilled two holes in the fascia and attached dowels to hold the throttle when it is not in use. This can be seen in the initial photo at the top of the post. In that photo, one can see that a valance is needed to limit the glare from the LED lighting for the Ingleton shelf.

I am hesitant to move much beyond planning for the valance by unpacking rolling stock and structures before I have more presentation or infrastructure work done. Again, looking at the initial photo at the top of this post, more painting needs to be completed behind Ingleton's stud wall. Also, cleaning up the base of this stud wall might be connected to a desire to paint the floor. The green floor paint is starting to get pretty beat up looking. On the other hand, if the desire to run some trains becomes overwhelming, Ingleton is ready!

Prep for TOMA Phase Two

While work has continued on the basement to train room transition, I have also continued with planning and preparation on phase two of the TOMA approach to the 4th Subdivision. I gave a brief introduction to my thinking in an earlier post. To the right in the drawing above will be a new section with a cut and fill as well as a pair of turnouts. On the left, based on modules brought from Meadville, will be "Ferndale Jct." the interchange with the Great Northern mainline and the interchange yard. Over the past few days, I have given serious thought to having the two turnouts (entrance to the yard and yard lead) in the new section be signaled as an interlocking plant. If that plan develops, it will be a whole other series of posts!

Painting the foundation wall behind its location was a first step in preparing for the Ferndale Jct. addition as well as a first step in the continuing improvement of the appearance of the basement. A five inch roller seems to be the best for covering the foamed stone foundation, followed by stippling with a three inch brush. I still have one section of wall to paint, with the corner behind the well water tank appearing to potentially be particularly tricky. I need to pick up a short wooden handle for the roller. I may need to convince my wife to wedge herself behind the tank for painting the far corner. 

While the new section with the cut and fill is still just in conceptual planning phase, I have been working on the modules making up the Ferndale Jct. yard and interchange. So far, I have been removing track, ballast, and scenery from areas that will require a change in track location. Ballast, cork, and track attached with white glue or scenery cement are fairly easy to remove after soaking with isopropyl alcohol. Sculptamold is a little harder to remove, but comes off with some moderate effort with a chisel and a painter's 5-in-1 tool. As I think I mentioned in an earlier post, ground goop is like concrete; it requires chiseling with a hammer. After the rough removal, I have been going over the area with an orbital sander. I think I am at the point that I can place these modules temporarily in place to finalize the measurements and sketch the benchwork plans for the new section. 

In addition to the prep work for TOMA Phase Two, I have been working on cleaning and organizing the basement. Just a couple of days ago, I removed the last patch of nails and cobwebs from furring strips over what I had set up as the agent's or dispatcher's two years ago. It may be where I set up operations on the Ingleton shelf; we will see. I do need to keep plowing through with the painting and organizing. Cleaner, tidier, and brighter all are a draw down to the train room. 

Ingleton Revisited

One intended consequence of having the electrical work finally finished and making headway in cleaning up and organizing the basement will be bringing the Ingleton shelf back to life. Honestly, it has fuctioned more like a junk drawer than a small switching layout since work started on the 4th Subdivision nearly four years ago, mainly due to my removing the command station for use on the larger railroad. Last summer I picked up an NCE Power Cab system with the possibility of revitalizing Ingleton in mind. 

With the electrical work completed, the Ingleton shelf has power and a ceiling receptacle for lighting; I can move forward again here.While my initial main focus moving forward will be on upgrading the basement into an inviting train room, Ingleton will again be in play. One role will be as a practice plank, experimenting with some new scenery techniques. Another role will be in switching practice, whether as an Inglenook puzzle or as a few spots to switch at the edge of a yard a few decades before my railroad set in 1954.

Checklist:

• Fascia
• NCE Power Cab install
• Scenery
• Rolling Stock
• Additional buildings
• Valance

Basement to Trainroom Updates

Our electrician came by this past week and finally finished all the upgrades. These include:

1.  Six LED lights for basic basement lighting  mounted in three bays of the basement with separate switches for each bay.  
2. Eight plug in receptacles installed in the ceiling for train lighting as the layout grows. The switch in the center of this photo is for the train lighting. 
3. The glowing "UFO" appearing nightlight (which can also be in full light mode) controlled by a switch at the top of the stairs. 
4.  Not seen in any of this post's photos are the new circuits to my paint booth, the sump pump, and the dehumidifier. 
5. Several other upgrades and repairs finalized the electrical work.

 Between his parent's health issues as well as mine in the fall, it took months to actuallly get four days worth of work finished. Still, it is very motivating to have it finished. Yesterday, my wife and I took the four older florescent tube fixtures that had been removed and five contractor bags of ceiling tile, out of commision wiring, and other rubbish to the dump. The general basement clean up is underway, but a lot remains to be done. 

Today, while organizing what needs to be moved to the garage, I took the edge banding and miscellaneous screws and nails out of the plywood deck of the former "bar." I had been thinking that I could use it as part of the TOMA phase four "blob." In my planning it will have a 30" radius. Placing the cleaned plywood on sawhorses, in the planned location, I sketched out  the radius. In double checking the marked piece with my scale plan, it appeared to fit. Since it was all laid out, I went ahead and cut it. Phase four is quite a ways away, but I am reassured that my plan is working, and I can store this reclaimed piece of plywood for that future day. 

I still have a lot to do before I move onto construction of the phase two TOMA modules mentioned in my last post or my plan to reenergize the Ingleton shelf. The cleaning and organizing that I have been doing as well as having bright lighting make a huge difference in terms of keeping the motivation going. While at the big box store yesterday I picked up some concrete hydraulic leak repair mix to attempt my floor levee creation along the French Drain canal. I will also want to paint the foam insulation on the foundation walls in the last portion of the basement before extending the railroad into it. I may also try painting the basement floor. Even before those tasks, I should rework the shelving and paint storage in the laundry area of the basement.