To-Do List: Nooksack TOMA

Well, the basement issues mentioned in my last post are still unresolved and have turned into a huge gumption trap (see my post from last February) that has set me into a huge unproductive funk. One of the solutions to gumption traps mentioned in that post is Jack Burgess's suggestion to commit to actual work on the railroad for fifteen or thirty minutes everyday. With my wife's help today, we took down the Nooksack ten-foot section and set it up on sawhorses behind my workbench. I have power to the workbench, so I can rig up some lighting to actually work on the Nooksack section. Hopefully incremental progress on the railroad will lead to incremental improvement to my mental state!

Small Steps To-Do List:

• Module down and on sawhorses
• Reinstall Tortoise for longer passing track turnout
• Check for and add feeder drops as needed
• Connect all drops to DCC Bus
• Install UTP cab bus panels
• Bolt on the small bridge module
• All electrical connections finalized
• Finalize planning and start installation of . . .
• Backdrop
• Lighting
• Valance
• Modules returned and in place!
• Control panel and touch toggles installed
• DCC moved and set up

I also have some not so small steps to work out, but I want to try to get back into a more productive and satisfying mode by making progress with these tasks. Let's hope my next post highlights some more of these steps completed. 

One Task Done, Gumption Traps Revisited, and a To-Do List

Draft train bulletin for initial Nooksack TOMA operations

As mentioned in a previous post, my initial operations notion is to have Nooksack in yard limit rule with a train bulletin posted for the scheduled first class passenger train or trains. I spent a morning at the computer researching some original Great Northern train bulletins and then drafting one in Word. I found Copperplate Graphic Bold to be a reasonable font to duplicate the look of the few GN wooden train bulletins that I found photos of online. My paper version (seen above) is a cross between the one I saw at Tony Koester's railroad and the actual GN ones. 

Several issues have popped up in the train room (aka the basement) that have blocked my gumption to work on the initial Nooksack section of the 4th Subdivision. During a first fall cold spell our furnace stopped working. In going down to the basement that chilly morning, I also noted that the lights were not coming on. I, of course, thought (assumed) the two issues were related. Well, our HVAC folks reminded me that coincidence and causality are not the same! They also reminded me that our oil-fired steam radiator boiler needs yearly maintenance to work efficiently or even work at all. So, with the combustion chamber cleaned of carbon soot, oil filter changed, nozzle cleaned or replaced, and combustion analyzed we were good to go, but with the unrelated short in one of the original basement circuits still there (but where?), that breaker remained off. Our task is to sort out the rat's nest of that circuit to tackle the issue of no lights in the main part of the basement. The new circuit for the railroad and workbench are working just fine, but the basement in general is dark.

Also, during this time my wife and I have been working on our main bathroom with several sets of contractors here for a new tile floor, new shower, and new fixtures. We have tackled wallpaper removal, a little bit of drywall and mudding, and painting. Somewhere in the process, a leak in the water supply line in the basement developed right over one of the initial, temporary staging locations for Nooksack. The first attempt to fix said leak did not last and I am waiting for a phone call to schedule a return of the plumber as I write this. 

Nooksack up temporarily to check location and plan backdrop height

Next Steps, To-Do List:

• Basement Prep
• Fix or replace shorted circuit
• Solve dripping leak
• Paint more east wall
• Remove "bar" wall
• "Ceiling" over benchwork?
• Paint floor?
• Take Down "Nooksack" section
• Set it up on sawhorses
• Switch-motor replacement 
• Other wiring
• Purchase 1/8 inch hardboard and cut to 30" & 18" for backdrop and valance
• Rolling stock to standard
• Structure plans and builds
• Staging plans and builds

 

Inspiration Continued

It has been just over a week since I returned from attending the Mid-Atlantic RPM 2022 (MARPM) in the Baltimore area. As the summer worked its way into fall I had to finally decide whether to attend MARPM or the Mid Eastern Regional convention in North Carolina the following week. Besides the significantly closer location, I chose the MARPM largely because of the opportunity to visit some "bucket list" model railroads and to meet (or at least see) some of the authors of blogs that I regularly read. 

Paul Dolkos's Baltimore Harbor

MARPM 2022 provided excellent clinics, a chance to see some excellent modeling, and the opportunity to visit some outstanding model railroads. The clinics and tours proved helpful in being able to add visuals to my backdrop clinic and fine-tune some of my planning notions. Perhaps the most practical takeaway was taking photos (with permission) at several railroad tours that I will be able to utilize to illustrate techniques mentioned in my backdrop clinic. In addition to inspiring me to improve my somewhat dog-eared clinic, the addition of the visuals may inspire future viewers to try the techniques. 

Visible and sceniced staging on Mat Thompson's Oregon Coast

Among the clinics at this year's MARPM, one appeared to fill a niche in my long range planning for the 4th Subdivision.  In what appeared to be a last minute addition to the clinic list, Travers Stavac presented a version of the Layout Design SIG's clinic called Make Only New Mistakes. He gave an overview of a recommended approach to designing a model railroad. I gathered several ideas from that clinic. First of all, their approach is to flip the priorities from a "normal" approach starting with detailed track planning to one with conceptual planning getting the biggest slice of attention while details get the least initial attention with a structural segment holding down the middle.  One suggestion for the important conceptual segment is to develop a "plumb line" or short written concept/vision statement that captures the intended purpose, theme, and personality of the railroad. All design decisions should not stray far from this so-called plumb line. A couple of concepts from the structural segment include basing design on signature traffic and/or signature scenes as well as developing "savvy standards." Finally, from the details segment a concept that stuck with me is having "logical lineals." In short, this means that the lengths of trains, passing tracks, yard tracks, and spaces between active switching are all interrelated. 

Clinics and tours also provided reinforcement for a notion central to my planning the 4th Subdivision. Paul Dolkos presented a clinic on staging that suggested that staging should be accessible, if not visible at least not be a "dark hole." He showed an example (Chuck Hitchcock's Ottawa Junction) of a recent track and operations plan with the staging as a visible part of the railroad. In addition he presented a series of alternatives to traditional staging such as using sector plates, cassettes, or car floats. Several of the railroad tours incorporated examples of visible staging including Mat Thompson's seen in the photo above. 

Having been inspired, the next step is to apply myself to some actual work and develop some perspiration. My next post may not be more than a to-do list, but that will at least be a first step. 

Inspiration

Iain Rice book image from Amazon

Inspiration, for me, comes from several sources. One is from model railroad authors; I am by nature a reader. One such very influential author was Iain Rice, who I learned passed away on October 8. His book, Small, Smart, & Practical Track Plans, was the first book I purchased when I returned to the hobby as an adult. My interests and approaches to model railroading (fixations with backdrops and smaller/compact design) are probably most influenced by his writings. In my analysis of what I hope to achieve with version 2 of the 4th Subdivision, I find that I am echoing Iain Rice's comment from one of his Kalmbach books:

 "My own goals in layout design have always put realism and atmosphere alongside interesting operation at the top of the want list."

Iain Rice c.1948 -- October 8, 2022

Also on October 8, I attended the Garden State Division's Fall Meet. Even though they are a different NMRA region and division than the one to which I have been assigned, their meeting in Hope, New Jersey was quite close. One of the features of their meeting was having several model railroads open in the afternoon after the meeting. I had the privilege of visiting Ted Pamperin's C&O and Tony Koester's Nickel Plate railroads. Both were excellent and inspiring. As mentioned above, I am a reader, so I was well aware of Tony Koester's work, but Ted Pamperin's amazing New River Gorge depiction was new to me. Clearly, visiting other layouts is an important source of inspiration. 

Visiting Tony Koester's railroad with train bulletins posted at each town provided an aha moment (an important form of inspiration). Not only did his railroad provide examples of backdrop and interchange techniques, but his quality fascia and valance presentation also provided a solution to one of my operations planning conundrums: How will train movement/authority work in my initial one-town TOMA section of Nooksack? The answer: the initial Nooksack section will follow yard limit rules and a posted train bulletin will give the timing of any first class trains. With a broad conceptual plan, but no real track plan for the rest of the 4th Subdivision, I can create a train bulletin for Nooksack without having the data to create a full timetable for the balance of the railroad, before I have a detailed plan for the rest of the railroad. 

I fully expected to learn more about, view in person, and gather photographic evidence of the junction/interchange and backdrop techniques I had read about in Mr. Koester's books and articles, but the truly inspiring part of my visit was the unexpected solution to a planning conundrum based on a small atmospheric detail posted on his valances. 

Before I switch to perspiration, the other half of the unstated formula, I expect to post about another example of inspiration. Last week I traveled to the Mid Atlantic RPM meet where I experienced more in-person inspiration from the clinics and railroad visits of the first RPM that I have attended. 
 

Nooksack Research Links: Canneries etc.

Old Stihl logo for supply company

 I am cleaning up my browser tabs and have some site, photo, and video links for researching PNW industries that I want to keep here :

• Alaska Fish Cannery Photo
• Samuel Elmore Cannery
• Logging Supply Company
• Skookum Catalog
• 1960 GN Yard Photos
• Canned Food Changing America Video
• California Cannery History
• Google Image Search for Canneries
• San Francisco Cannery History
• Robinson Mill Everett
• Everett Waterfront  
• GN Sand Car

Model Railroad Goals Reinforced at the AWMM

In my last post, I referenced some personal goals reinforced by attending the Alleghany Western Mini-Meet last weekend; in this post I want to explore how the event, sponsored by Division 12, MCR, NMRA, helped me revisit the goals for the 4th Subdivision. 

Fields outside Wheelerville on Mike Hauk's S&NY

The Model Railroad as a Three-Dimensional Painting

In planning my new layout, my focus on benchwork, electrical planning, and operations are the issues I have been posting and thinking about. Prepping for and giving my clinic on backdrops; seeing Neil Schorr's clinic, Capturing the Commonwealth; and visiting Mike Hauk's Susquehanna & New York all led me to reevaluate an unstated primary goal for my model railroad. Working towards creating the 4th Subdivision as a three-dimensional artwork is a (if not the) major interest, priority, and goal for me as I start construction. To reiterate a "learning point" from last fall's simple shelf: the visual appearance, presentation, and the role of backdrops on my railroad are all important to me and my "vision" of what I am trying to achieve. In my mind, Mike's S&NY is a model railroad to emulate in terms of a model railroad as three-dimensional artwork. 

 

Operational Goals

While striving for the 4th Subdivision to be aesthetically pleasing and hopefully achieving a realistic appearance, my model railroad is not designed as a static display. Operations somewhere along the continuum between game play and recreating prototypical railroad jobs is important to me. But, what kind of operations should I strive for when I fall towards the novice end on the operator's spectrum? Some of my experiences at the AWMM helped with getting closer to an answer to that question. 

The experience of touring several (but not all) of the model railroads helped me to prioritize a bit. Both Brad White and Ray Brown are planning/building large, multi-deck railroads designed to prototypically represent the trains of a PRR line and a portion of the BLE respectively. I am not that much of a die-hard operator. Ed Cronin's single deck BLE railroad combines scenery with operations in an enjoyable manner, but again, the operational focus is on movement of trains in a prototypical manner. All three of their railroads' operational focus is on the movement of trains and bringing the entire railroad to life with multiple operators required for that experience. While I can appreciate their goals, modeling skills, and smooth running trains, a large, train-focused model railroad is not my goal. A smaller branch line with an emphasis on switching and commodity/industry relationships continues to be what I am attracted to, although I will continue to maintain the caveat of future flexibility.

The assistant yardmaster in the hat, and Jason, the yardmaster on the right
Photo by Lee Farnsworth

Another feature of the AWMM was an operations session at Dale Desser's railroad on Saturday night after the activities at the Ambassador Center. Even though I was somewhat anxious about fitting in with more experienced operators, serving as assistant yardmaster was not only fun but also one of the events of the AWMM that most helped me reinforce some of my notions for planning the 4th Subdivision. Jason, the yardmaster, was great to work with, and although I didn't have much prior experience, I really enjoyed the yard work! Again, the notion of having the option of both switching and classifying cars right from the start mentioned in Byron Henderson's, Fun Ops on a Small Layout post is another priority reinforced by the opportunity to operate on Dale's railroad at the AWMM. I had several other takeaways from that ops session. One was that although I see some definite plusses in using JMRI Operations Pro, the printouts (manifest/switchlists) are not correct for my railroad's time period, and I want to be able to utilize going down the rabbit hole of researching the industries and their suppliers on my railroad. Another takeaway is that I do not want duck unders, crawl unders, or pop-up access, nor do I want trains disappearing for extended times on their way to staging. While I am planning to have staging hidden from the main layout space, I want to have easy access by walking around a corner or into another alcove of the basement. 

Coming away from last weekend's trip to the AWMM, I think that I am clearer about my goals for myself and for my railroad, the 4th Subdivision. 

Personal Goals Reinforced at the AWMM

 

Last weekend I traveled to Erie, Pennsylvania, across the state, to attend the 2022 Alleghany Western Mini-Meet (AWMM). The event, sponsored by Division 12, MCR, NMRA, is probably the last event with my former division with which I will contribute any kind of leadership or institutional knowledge. The AWMM was a one-day mini-convention with model railroad tours, operating sessions, clinics, merit award judging and model displays, and raffle sales. I participated in at least a smattering of all the offerings provided.  In looking back at the event, I realize that it was a valuable experience for me, both in reinforcing or refocusing personal goals for myself as a NMRA member/model railroader and reinforcing several primary goals for my new version of my model railroad: the 4th Subdivision of the Cascade Division of the Great Northern Railway.

Personal Goals:

1. I do want to take more seriously working towards some NMRA AP certificates. For example, I can use the clinic I gave towards the "Author" category. In writing up the accompanying label for the scratchbuilt bridge that I displayed, I got started with the first of the six non-judged structures for the "Structure" category.
2. I participated with the judging committee, where we evaluated four entries for merit awards. Without going into details on that, I want more training as a merit award evaluator. I went through training at the 2019 Mid Central Regional Convention at Boardman, Ohio, and I have worked as a part of a judging committee a couple of times since then. In addition to being out of practice, I feel that I would benefit from additional training. As a former teacher, I am aware of the critical importance of reaching congruence in scoring of standardized assessments, which to my mind is what merit judging should be thought of. 
3. Continuing with the theme of evaluation of merit judging, I want to continue with the development of standards based rubrics for the "Scenery" Achievement Program category. Not only do I suspect that that evaluation has little in the way of documented criteria for determining a numerical score, but Mike Hauk, Division 12's AP manager, recommended that I continue working on that project. 
4. In the next day's model railroad tours, I had the opportunity to chat with Mike about a number of things. Beyond just comradery, I believe that a large part of my growth as a model railroader has been from interacting with, bouncing ideas off of, and being on both ends of mentoring relationships with other members of Division 12 and the NMRA in general. This leads to another important personal goal. I need to work towards making more connections here in northeastern Pennsylvania and with my new division: The Susquehanna Division, Division 11, MER, NMRA.  

In my next post, I will explore the goals for the 4th Subdivision reinforced by participating in the AWMM. Some of the clinics, ops-sessions, and model railroad tours really helped me to substantiate my priorities in building my new railroad, here in our new home. 

4th Subdivision: Planning for Power Districts

In my last post, I mentioned a number of decisions to be made before installing Nooksack, the first TOMA section. I have made a number of those decisions, but I felt the need to make some long range plans as I started prepping the two modules that will be the core of Nooksack. During last Thursday's modeling night, I shared the plan seen above with the attendees, with my initial questions/plans for power districts. The consensus was clear that with a railroad of this size, one booster will be fine, and four power districts and an auto reverser for the turntable should be quite adequate. In my attic layout in Meadville, I had two power districts, using NCE EB1 circuit breakers. I plan on continuing with the EB1 circuit breakers, but I will plan either physical or terminal space for adding two as I set up the "command center" of the railroad. 

Proposed Power District Plan:

1. Nooksack: Carnation Plant to Interchanges
2. Ferndale Jct. Fiddle Yard and Staging
3. Chikamin
4. Port Gullick and Curtis
5. Auto-Reverser at Chikamin turntable

Prepping Nooksack Modules and Planning Ahead:

The intention in planning ahead is to minimize the work under the modules moving forward. So, with the small creek and trestle scene that is attached to Nooksack up on sawhorses, I have started preparing it for installation. I found some bolts for attaching it to the main Nooksack module. I will next screw on some Euro-style double terminals for the DCC bus into and away from this module. I also need to install a terminal for the control toggle for the Tortoise switch motor. Knowing that a separate DCC bus for the future Chikamin circuit breaker and for the Chikamin Turntable reverser will later be traveling through here, I could at the minimum pre-drill appropriate holes. 

Basement Prep for Nooksack: Part Two

 

In my last post, I spoke of getting my gumption up to spend time to get some painting accomplished in the area of the basement where I intend to locate the Nooksack TOMA section. Well, over the last week, mainly the last couple of days, I did just that. The upper part is my "sky" color and the lower part is SW "Andiron," my fascia color. I still need to install an L girder along the stud wall to rest the back of the Nooksack section on. My plan is to mount the L girder at 46" so that the benchwork top is at 50" at one point along this stud wall, and then to level the L girder (and rest of the railroad) to that point. 

I intend to explore some trial and error with the existing ten-foot benchwork section before permanently mounting it:

• Will I use legs or a cantilever support off of the stud wall, similar to what I saw my friend, Brad White, do on the Brocton Corner of his new railroad?
• Will the existing shelf on the stud wall be accessible enough to use for the command station and related electronics once the benchwork is in place?
• What about backdrop height and valance placement? 
• What will my final plan for lighting be? 
• Will I consider some kind of drop ceiling over the railroad in this area?

In addition to the Nooksack area, I also painted the south wall of the basement. The first step was to mask off the area behind the steam pipe, covered with rust and foam overspray, and to paint it with a Rustoleum "High Heat" rattle can. Although it could have used a second coat, I called the first coat good enough. It took several days to dry, and despite my opening a basement window and firing up a fan, the spray paint solvents made their way upstairs. 

After the spray-painted pipe across the wall dried, I went ahead and painted the entire eastern wall and the upper portion of the Nooksack area with my sky blue color. The spray foam is tricky to paint as it has a dramatically varied texture. Spraying would probably be the best technique, but I am not set up with equipment for that. I found a small (three or five inch) roller to work the best, with an occasional poke with a brush into deeper divots. I tried a standard roller with a deep pile in another part of the basement, but with the irregular surface of the foamed stone foundation, the smaller roller is able to better travel  through the bumps and valleys.  

The guys are coming this week to try to feed a new power line from the new breaker box in the basement out to the garage and to finish plumbing in the new "laundry area" in my previous workshop. Once they are done, I will need to clean up and organize, before deciding how to approach painting the basement floor. We will see whether the next post continues along these lines or whether I follow the breadcrumbs back to structure building for Nooksack. 

Basement Prep for Nooksack

Well, I really need to knuckle down and spend more than 15 minutes or an hour at a time prepping a section of the basement for the Nooksack TOMA section to move into place. The new grounded outlets are installed and live. We have a new dehumidifier, and the basement tends to be quite comfortable on the hot days. It may be a mistake, but I am approaching the basement prep in a similar manner to TOMA: one section at a time. This section needs me to get on the ball. It is a mistake to continue to leave the sprayed in foam insulation unpainted, as UV degrades the unpainted foam. I just need to get my gumption up and spend a few days painting!

New Workbench Location: Part Two

Although I haven't unpacked some of the railroad boxes from last year's move, the new workbench location is well under way and inspiring more organization to come. The work order with the electric company  is set for this week, and our crew arrives tomorrow to continue work on upgrading our home's electrical system. After that is completed I can install lighting for the workbench and begin prepping another corner of the basement for the Nooksack sections (first TOMA section).

The "cave" under the basement stairs and landing also needs some additional light source. Since my last post, I installed some shelves and started organizing it as a storage area. I purchased some plastic bins/totes that slide under the stairs and installed a shelf for my tool boxes. One box has evolved to hold electrical and track laying specific tools while the other contained scenery tools over the last few years. I still need to determine whether I will use the bay provided by the cave to hold a larger or smaller rolling cart as I have both options at hand.

While I am fairly deep into the rabbit hole of researching and designing the structure for the Curtis Cannery industry for Nooksack, based on the Kale Cannery of Everson Washington, I suspect that my next post will involve the room preparation for Nooksack to move into place. 

New Workbench Location

In my last post I mentioned that I had started work on the new location of my model railroad workshop, and I have completed some first steps including setting up my workbench. The photo above shows the status as of now.

I had initially set up my modeling workshop in an alcove off the main basement, which is now becoming the laundry and general household work area. I chose a space next to the basement stairs as the new location. I believe that this space will not impinge too much into the aisle along the future town of Chikamin, and the "cave" under the stairs and landing provide some space for storage of modeling materials. 

The first steps I took included painting the sprayed on foam insulation on the wall and the dingy basement "trim" with my sky blue latex paint. Our contractor has run a new circuit through the basement for the railroad, but we are waiting for the new service entrance and 200 amp breaker box installation to connect the circuit. One can see the new outlet by the workbench in the initial photo. Until the service call by the power company is finally scheduled I will still be working with extension cords strung across the floor. 

With the pegboard mounted and my Ikea workbench/desk set up I have a place to work finalized. With the shelves under the landing edge cleaned up and painted (top left on initial photo) I have started some shelving for modeling supplies. 

The next steps: 

• Add some shelving and tote storage under the stairs 
• Install shelving along the wall under the landing 
• Figure out where I can best add my small parts bins
• Consider adding a rolling cart/work-table to the "cave"
• Extend the blue wall painting to the initial TOMA location
• Tackle painting the floor

Nooksack: Planning For Operations with TOMA

 

The main difference with the TOMA approach is that one section is built to completion and operated before adding additional modules (actually sections). While planning ahead for the later, larger model railroad with the potential for operations sessions with multiple operators, I also need to intentionally plan for the initial one-town model railroad. While I intend Nooksack to ultimately be one of several modeled towns on the 4th Subdivision, initially it will be the main focus by itself, with some staging on each end. Hopefully without going too far into the weeds in this post, I will discuss four interrelated approaches to operations planning for the TOMA based, first phase town of Nooksack that I have been considering. These include advice for planning for engagement and fun on a small layout from Byron Henderson, making choices from the many train forwarding and car forwarding approaches, and combining research and scenery planning with operations planning by making industry choices.

Byron Henderson discusses "enjoyable operations on smaller layouts" in a blog post from 2019. I recommend reading his full post, but I will list what I consider some main takeaways. A central idea is to include "diversity in roles" by including the opportunity to both classify and spot/pull cars in a small railroad. Another idea includes planning for "variety" by including the notion of more cars than needed and changing waybills after the 4th cycle. Incorporating prototypical challenge rather than difficult switching puzzles by considering needs at different times of year, including sure spots, and applying railroad rules are all considerations. In reviewing Henderson's ideas I concluded that my TOMA staging on at least one side should incorporate the possibility of classification even if it expands the initial scope somewhat. 

Operations planning, even with a one-town or fun-for-one approach, breaks into two interrelated parts: micro or car forwarding and macro or train forwarding including train types, control, and communication. For car forwarding I plan to start with car cards and waybills. I wrote about this in a blog post describing how I used car cards and waybills on my earlier attic version of the 4th Subdivision; while that post described using different locations than the new railroad, the system is the same. In another post from that same series in 2019, I wrote about using switch lists. I intend to continue to use switch lists as a key part of my car forwarding approach. While the conductor will continue to use switch lists, whether the car cards and waybills continue to be part of the conductor's job or whether I will somehow have an agent job as the new 4th Subdivision expands and develops is unclear. In either event, car cards, waybills, and switch lists will be the focus of car forwarding on the 4th Subdivision in Nooksack and as the railroad grows over time. Train forwarding with the one-town initial TOMA approach is less clear in my mind. On my earlier attic version, all of the modeled railroad was within yard limits. In my newer version, that will not be the case. While not really prototype based, my 4th Subdivision will follow some prototypical guidelines as to the time period (1954) and GN practices on branchlines. I plan to start very simply with a sequence system and running one train at a time. As the railroad grows, I am guessing that I will ultimately implement some sort of dispatching potentially utilizing a timetable and train order system.   A process of further evaluation and research will be needed as the train forwarding system evolves with the railroad. 

I have started another process of evaluation and research as I have started planning the industries for Nooksack. I intend whatever I select to be appropriate for the setting (1954 Pacific Northwest) and for both the initial stand alone Nooksack and the evolving larger railroad. I have nascent construction notes and prototype research underway for the industries: an agricultural cannery, a logging supply company, a fuel oil dealer, and a team track. Returning to my initial goal of not going too far into the weeds with this post, I will leave the development of these industries as prototype, operations, and scenic linchpins to later posts along with updates to the slow progress on the layout space and new workbench location.

Real Life, Real Estate Deals, and the Railroad

Real life, including a family gathering in Maine and my involvement in my wife's gardening plans, along with some upcoming renovations on our home have led to a bit of a slow down in progress on my railroad. Perhaps a modeling slow down is to be expected in the summer season!

At the end of May and first week of June, we had a lovely visit to Mid-Coast Maine, where my wife's family rents a house for a week most summers. Our bedroom faced the east and as seen in the opening photo, we had some beautiful sunrises. No railroad visits this time, but on our last trip to Maine in 2018 we visited the WW&F which is a great little railroad (part tourist railroad and part railroad museum). This trip we had some good food, visits to the Maine Botanical Gardens, and stops in some historical sites in Massachusetts on the way home. 

When we moved into our home last fall, we had a lawn service do the mowing, and besides planting some perennials in a fenced area we didn't do much in the way of gardening. My wife and I are planning on transitioning the lawn into more of a mixture of other gardens: pollinator, native, and vegetable. This summer, we cancelled the lawn service and bought a battery powered mower to keep things civilized during the transition. Mowing, planning, and planting all take time and energy that otherwise might be spent on the railroad. 

We have planned from the beginning of our move to do some sort of kitchen remodel. The first step is to move the washer and dryer, now in an alcove of the kitchen, to the basement. To accomplish this, the space that I have taken over for my modeling workbench and storage was traded to become part of the laundry. Contractors are coming next week to plumb and wire the new set up, and my workbench is still in place. I think I know where the workbench will go, but the new location is not prepared. Time to repack my work area! 

While work directly on the railroad is on hiatus, planning and replacing the workshop in a new space, layout room prep, and operations planning will continue. 

Nooksack: TOMA Start on the "New" 4th Subdivision

 

Starting with Nooksack

In the last several posts, I discussed the initial design and planning for operations for the 4th Subdivision, my model railroad set in northwestern Washington State in 1954. My first phase of construction using the TOMA (one module approach) will be the town of Nooksack and related pile trestle scene. This section was originally Willow Springs from my earlier attic version that we moved from Meadville. The drawing above shows a couple of slight changes to the existing trackwork and labels for the intended industries in this town. 

My first step was to lengthen the passing track on the main town section. While working with existing modules (or sections) shortens the construction time, it illustrates the difference between "remodeling" and "new construction" approaches even in model railroading. Unsoldering wires to the Tortoise switch machine and the turnout rail joiners allowed for reuse, but required extra care and cleanup steps. Removing cork glued down with yellow carpenter's glue was fairly straight forward; removal of the rough cork and glue remnants was trickier. When I found initial scraping and sanding insufficient, I turned to a wood chisel, bevel side down, allowing me to essentially plane the plywood smooth. 

After removing the track, cork, and glue remnants from the original turnout and shorter passing track, the process was much like installing new cork and track. I cut and fit the cork, glued it in place, and painted it with a gray craft paint after the glue had dried. I carefully cut, filed, and fit track joiners to the track. As I have done previously, I soldered the feeders to the underside of the rail. Before actually fitting the track into place, I drilled holes for the feeder wires, the green frog feeder on the turnout, and for the throw rod for the Tortoise. 

At this point, today, the new longer passing track is in place. By lengthening the passing track, I will be able to run seven car trains, rather than be limited to just five cars plus loco and caboose. I still need to solder the metal rail joiners and set the couple of track nails that are holding the curve in place. Before doing that, I need to flip the module up and install the Tortoise switch machine in its new location and complete the rewiring of the turnout and track feeders. Once that all checks out, I can fit in the missing ties, clean the soldered joiner connections and new track, and paint the one section of new track.

While I am feeling good about the progress I have made, one unintended consequence has appeared. Following the TOMA model, I will be using this section (with temporary staging) by itself for a period of time. I will be operating Nooksack, building the structures, and working on the scenery here before building an adjoining section containing mainly scenic negative space to its left or west. By moving the turnout almost to the edge of the existing layout, I didn't leave room for even a basic runaround. I need to think through adding a bit of additional track, and if I do, how much. Will it be a part of the temporary staging or a part of the planned next section?

Another task, as I work on Nooksack, is to prep the corner of the basement where Nooksack will be located. Progress on that, updates on completing the trackwork revisions, as well as research and planning for operations in Nooksack may be topics on upcoming posts. 

 

Planning for Operations on the 4th Subdivision: Trains and Towns

 

Eastbound "Mail Train" with a local freight in the siding at Willow Springs on the old layout 

My plans for the current model railroad include two scheduled passenger trains and several scheduled freight trains. Also, with my current plan, the logging railroad has trackage rights on the 4th Subdivision. 

One scheduled passenger train will be a "mail train" traveling between Port Gulick Bay staging and Chikamin with stops at stations between them and turning at Chikamin. It will be made up of the doodlebug and sixty foot RPO seen in the photo. The other scheduled passenger train will be a "milk train" that leaves from Ferndale Jct. staging, works the Carnation plant spur, returns empty milk cans along the way, and then turns at Chikamin to return. It will pick up full milk cans at stations, before working the Carnation plant and returning to Ferndale staging. 

At least one scheduled local freight will travel between Ferndale Jct. and Chikamin. Other expected daily freights will include the "Rock Train" with silica sand from east of Chikamin and limestone from the NP interchange and then returning with empties. A daily turn from Ferndale Jct. to Port Gulick and back may be scheduled. At some point, a weekly "stock train" may be added as an extra, and when needed an additional local may also be added as an extra. 

Benchmark footprint plan for the 4th Subdivision

Traveling from the west at sea level through farmland and forest to the east into the Cascade foothills, the 4th Subdivision travels through several towns with related industries. I will list them in order with prototype and modeling notes:

• Port Gulick 
• Look at Anacortes for industry details and ideas
• Mayger Old Fish Station at Columbiariverimages has backdrop ideas
• Passenger train and town industries into hidden staging to turn
• Harbor and wharf industries as modelagenic features
• Curtis 
• Features a lumber mill
• Look at Nooksack plans from Meadville layout
• Good stretch of scenery between Port Gulick and Curtis
• Ferndale Jct. 
• Hidden run-through
• Hidden fiddle tracks (see recent track plan)
• Walk through utility area (furnace, well, filter, etc.)
• Removable staging for work on utilities?
• Carnation Company is visible (have photos and plans of prototype)
• Nooksack
• Use existing Willow Springs module
• Extend passing track for seven car train?
• Everson as prototype for cannery
• Other industries? 
• NP interchange and logging junction in scenic section?
• Chikamin
• Use existing module, but extend it a bit?
• Redo all the track? (It is code 100 and Atlas switches)
• Replace turntable? 

Schematic sketch of 4th Subdivision (boxes represent scenic breaks)

Update on Designing the 4th Subdivision

 

Most recent version of the 4th Division

In planning for the larger railroad, intended to fill two thirds of the basement, I have been following some of the guidelines in Lance Mindheim's book, How to Design a Model Railroad, as I described in a post last November. In addition to the three plans mentioned in that post, I worked out three or four others (each of them had some problems) utilizing modules from my attic layout in Meadville before coming up with this final (?) version. 

In addition to using some of the previous modules or sections, I want to hit some operational and visual goals. While I expect to be just running by myself most of the time, I also want to be able to match at least the minimum requirements for the AP operations (Chief Dispatcher) certificate and be able to hold operations sessions with a few others in case I find myself leaning in either of those directions. I also know that for me to be happy with my model railroad, I will want it to appear realistic, like a miniature world, approaching the look of a three dimensional painting.    

Existing modules to incorporate

Keeping in mind that while this planning is for the entire railroad, I intend to follow Joe Fugate's TOMA (The One Module Approach) suggestion of building one or two sections to completion and operate with temporary staging before adding additional sections. The town of Nooksack on the benchwork footprint plan at the beginning of this post is one of the existing modules as is the trestle scene module that we moved from our former home. While I may want to lengthen the passing track, those modules should go back together well. Unless I make a huge shift in my thinking, making some minor adjustments to those two modules and getting them under way will be the beginning of the 4th Subdivision v.2.

In Mindheim's book, he suggests reviewing several considerations before moving from the footprint and route stage to overlaying the final schematic and track plan. Generally following from his prompt questions, here are some of my thoughts based on this final version.

• While I might want some kind of continuous run possibility, this is essentially a point to point design. The staging/Ferndale area is not developed at this point, but my unplanned concept is for a combination of fiddle yard staging and a direct run through. If practicable I may add continuous running here with "the blob" as the other end, but if it doesn't work out, that is okay as it won't interfere with my operations plan. 
• For the most part, this design contains easy access without lift-outs or duckunders, and it has fairly open aisle-ways. Ferndale staging is the main exception to this as it is hidden from the main layout, and the access to it requires walking around into the utility area. The dead end aisle with both Carnation Co. and Curtis has the potential to become crowded with multiple operators, and the entrance to it is below my desired four foot aisle-ways. It is more spacious than the rejected plans though.
• The turn-back blob at a five foot width will allow for maintaining my curve radius minimum of 24." The reach-in distances are all quite manageable. Both of these were issues in previous design attempts. 
• One area of concern is having suitable scenic or negative space between the more intensive secondary track elements. Particularly if I plan on somewhat longer train lengths, I want to avoid trains just running from one built up area directly into another with the locomotive in one and the caboose still in another. 

While I don't have all the areas and trackwork thoroughly planed here, I am confident that I can identify any minor changes in the Nooksack modules needed to move forward, start those changes, and begin some room prep.

Ingleton: Scenery, Rolling Stock, and Operations Update

 

Swift reefer in front of Associated Grocers warehouse

Since my last post, I have finished ballasting the track and started some operations on the Ingleton shelf. In doing so, I have made some progress and have discovered the need for some focus. In this post, I hope to define the next steps for myself, as well as review track ballasting. 

First of all, Ingleton is freelanced other than it is designed as a possible Inglenook switching puzzle or game. It is set in the 1930s to be able to use some of my rolling stock collection that would not be found on the 4th Subdivision, my larger railroad set in 1954 and still in design phase. Initially, I have been using switch lists to structure some switching on Ingleton, which I am imagining to be several spurs at the edge of a yard set in the Pacific Northwest. My 0-6-0 yard switcher backs in with three cars to be set out at specific locations and with instruction to pick up the three cars from the spur tracks; a fun, short session. The next step may well be to figure out how to set up the Inglenook game. 

To get to the point where I can explore implementing the Inglenook rules, I need to enlarge my collection of rolling stock. This doesn't mean buying more, but building some existing kits and making sure that some of my existing rolling stock is up to standard. That in turn requires revisiting what those standards might be. A focus for the next month for me and a future blog post may well be an exploration of those standards and the process of making sure at least eight pieces of rolling stock are ready. As I have quite a stash of unbuilt kits and cars in need of repair or upgrade, I may end up with more than the minimum, adding some variety to the play. 

As mentioned before, I have finished the ballasting on the Ingleton shelf. I worked slowly and carefully, applying materials for just a few feet at a time. This approach, using actual stone materials, works well with what I feel are acceptable results. I may want to later revisit the ballast to add airbrushed effects. At one of the modeling Zoom sessions that I attend, Dick Bradley pointed out that what I thought was reddish rust is actually brake dust. That color, soot or oil, and spillage from rolling stock are all textures that might be applied later. While I like the real stone ballast, when I move on to the 4th Subdivision, I may change the proportion to lighten the final mix just a bit. At this point I will pick up from the last post with a review of how I ballast track. 

Ground cover along the tracks

After my last post describing ballasting between the rails, I worked my way along all the track on the Ingleton shelf, adding a layer of basic ground cover along the track. I first painted  a stripe of white glue along each side of the track and then applied a mix of ground covers. The main three that I applied were Woodland Scenics Blended Turf Earth Blend, Scenic Express Medium Natural Soil and Dirt, and Woodland Scenics Blended Turf Green Blend. I then applied 70% Isopropyl Alcohol and Scenic Glue with medicine droppers. I then sprinkled on more of the ground covers in light areas. 

Ballast applied between the rails and the ground cover

The next step was to apply my ballast mix between the outside of the rails and the (now dry) ground cover along the tracks. Using a plastic spoon, I applied the ballast along the outside of the rails. Then, using a soft brush, I brushed the ballast off the tie ends and the dirt and greenery along the tracks. I pinched on a bit more in light spaces and made sure I was satisfied before applying the alcohol wetting agent and scenic cement with droppers. In applying either material, it is safer to move the dropper along the rail above the ballast and along the ground cover below the ballast, allowing the materials to wick into the ballast. 

Learning Points:

• MR's Cody Grivno's approach to ballasting works well for me.
• Painting the tie tops and using real stone ballast provides acceptable realism.
• A slightly lighter color ballast and applying additional color or texture are next steps 

Ingleton Shelf: Scenery Started

This recent photo was taken with the scenery cement still wet

In my last post I mentioned starting scenery around the Associated Grocers warehouse, so that is what I have done. While the track plan was designed primarily to facilitate the Inglenook switching puzzle, my intention has been to also represent more prototypical operations with the three stub sidings servicing the warehouse and associated team tracks. I also wanted to work on developing realistic scenery techniques that might translate to the larger railroad. 

To hide the inherent flatness of the plank and the mainline look of the cork roadbed, I applied Sculptamold around the edges of the cork and painted it after it dried. One problem of using the narrow shelf and the Inglenook track plan involves a not quite large enough space for the future loading dock for the team track. By adding some raised fascia on the ends and building a couple of different styles of track bumpers, I hopefully solved the imminent  problem of rolling stock careening off the shelf. In this photo, one can see the first use of the tentative ballast color for the shelf and at least part of my future railroad. 

Instead of the generic Woodland Scenics grey made from walnut shells that I have used in the past, I am experimenting with a different mix on the Ingleton shelf. I am leaning towards a mix of two parts Arizona Rock and Mineral Company's #1152 Empire Builder to one part Express Scale #50 Blended Ballast as a starting point. In studying my GN Morning Star book, https://www.amazon.com/Great-Northern-Color-Vol-Lines/dp/1582481849, the color of the ballast varied from location to location as well as from various track types, mainline to siding. Airbrushing rust and soot colors over the track and ballast is another approach suggested by studying the prototype photos in Hickcox's book. 

On the shelf, I have continued with the ballasting approach suggested by Model Railroader's Cody Grivno that I reviewed in an earlier post. He starts by spreading the ballast between the rails,  brushing it off the ties and web of the rail, and applying wetting agent and scenic cement with an eyedropper from the outside. He lets that step dry before attempting to ballast outside the rails or on the shoulder of the cork. In the photo, one can see my use of a soft brush to clear off the tops of the ties. In my most recent session, I went ahead and applied other scenery along the side of track in the team track area. I used a mix of brown and cinder ballast along with Express Scale's Medium Natural Soil & Dirt as well as several other ground foams to establish the team track area. If I am not happy with the result, I can always add another layer. 

This shelf is really quite freelanced, with less specificity than the 4th Subdivision. It is set in the west in the 1930s. As I work to improve my skills, I am finding that having a prototype to work from leads to significantly more realistic results. I recently found a prototype source that I can work from or at least be inspired by on this shelf and in planning the new version of the 4th Subdivision. The Cornell University Library has a set of over one-hundred photos from 1960 taken in yards and sidings of the Great Northern in Everett and Seattle here. I printed one out and had it available while working.

The next steps include some very basic ground cover along the rest of the track and ballasting the track. I do not like the abrupt end of the flat seen in the photo. For that issue, I have a couple of ideas, but I just am not sure. I have ordered a loading dock kit and several tie piles from Blair Line for the team track area. Whether I will add additional structures or go with just scenery such as a small cut, a dirt road, or berm with trees is up in the air. For now, I may just complete the ballasting and as suggested by Mindheim's blog post, spread some Heki grass fiber over the brown paint, and start focusing on developing the operations. 

Learning Points:

• Prototype sources are helpful even in creating realistic scenery
• Roads, scenery, and structures should be considered in original planning
• A custom, quality ballast mix adds realism

Associated Grocers: Part 3

Although the surrounding scenery needs work, the grocery warehouse background structure is complete, As mentioned previously, several additions were needed to help highlight the loading dock and its sure spots.  

I printed out several sets of 1, 2, 3, 4 numerals for signs to label the doors as specific sure spots. I tried for a happy medium between large enough for an operator to read them easily and small enough for a somewhat realistic scale size. I found 8 pt. font size to approximate that happy medium. For the font I chose "Futura" as it is from the late 1920s and, as a sans-serif, it is easy to read. My attempts to create a border around the numerals did not work well, so the signs are just black numerals on a white background. My application technique was basic: white glue on the back of the tiny cut-out paper rectangles with the signs brushed into place with a clean damp brush followed by a light application of a gray wash.

I decided that Ingleton shelf would be a reasonable place to try out Woodland Scenics' "Just-Plug" system. I included their "Lights and Hub" starter kit and power source with an online order, but found I would either have to drill a large hole through my building's wall or resort to splicing/soldering. So, I spent more money on their gooseneck wall lights and installed two over the loading dock. While the system is pricey, it is relatively easy to add to it. Plus the hub has the ability to dial in the intensity of individual lights. I will wait to make a final decision on the value of the system until I add more to it. 

The next steps will be to fit the building into the scene with first applications of surrounding scenery and adding more details. I can feel accomplished in that I actually finished the building, but I also realize that I still need more practice. The building corners are not square, several joints are less than perfect, and at least one window has an obvious glue smudge. On the other hand, this is a background building on a practice plank built to increase skills and self awareness, not a contest entry.