TOMA Phase One: Planning for Operations

While I have more involved plans underway for the operations on the larger 4th Subdivision, the first phase of TOMA with the town of Nooksack, an NP interchange, and staging at each end will necessarily have less involved operations.

The initial operations will include just one or possibly two operators with relatively short sessions until I add additional TOMA sections. Early this month, Lance Mindheim explored operations on a small model railroad design that helped me transition from considering the operations for the larger, future 4th Subdivision to focusing on planning the operations of the Nooksack TOMA section.
 

To start with, I will be fine tuning what is essentially a bullet list:

• Paperwork will be limited to switch lists with set outs and pick ups listed.
• No car cards, but I will be aware of industry needs when making switch lists
• All trackwork will be in yard limits, with yard limit rules in effect.
• Possibility of one scheduled first class train listed on train bulletin.
• Just one or two trains per session (at least to start.)
• Use a limited number of cars per session.
• Use labels for spots and industries until all buildings are finished.
• Not every industry or spot needs to be used in a session.