Prep for TOMA Phase Two

While work has continued on the basement to train room transition, I have 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.