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.