Sounds great...

Sounds like a good plan, I am doing the same in free mo HO. The one suggestion I would make would be to try and pick a time, place, and era so your modules are cohesive and you avoid buying anything that strikes your fancy. Say a 50 mile stretch of track that includes a variety of what you like. For example, I have two modules in progress, one is a mid-western town centered around a depot and elevator, the second is a single to double track module next to a pond. Both are specific aspects of the prototype that I really wanted on the layout but are separated by several miles. By keeping my modules in the same geographic area, they are more cohesive together, especially for ops.

TOMA

I'm also trying the TOMA concept, except in HO. My layout will be total freelance, modeling somewhere in Arizona 1954 - 1969 running the SP and Santa Fe. I have the track down on my first module and I'm hoping to get the wiring finished soon.  It'd be nice to see my NW2 running around on it!

Cohesive modules

I'm not so much worried about cohesive modules as I am interesting scenic elements sanchomurphy. Each module will be it's little section of the world. I'm not as much of an ops guys as a builder I think. That may change in time but when that time comes I'll just rebuild modules to meet that need. I'll have some permanent modules such as a yard and a roundhouse as I like those elements and they are useful to any module. That's great Steve, I really had a hard time choosing between HO and N. I have done both in the past and was leaning to going back to HO due to product availability, but landed back on N simply because it is easier to get better looking curves and fit more into a small module area.

What is TOMA?

You all talk of TOMA...aside of Top of the mind Awareness, I find nothing.

TOMA = The One Module Approach

TOMA = The One Module Approach

Basically, the idea is to do a home layout as a single module section at a time, building the module to completion before getting too involved in the rest of the layout.

You add a 1x12 with some staging tracks on each end and run some trains back and forth through the finished module.

This way it becomes weeks or months instead of years to a finished, operational layout.

One module not enough to suit you? Then great, build another, move out the staging tracks, and now run trains on TWO finished layout sections.

TOMA is intended to get you experiencing the full scope of the hobby much faster (design to ops) and allows managing layout scope in small bite-sized chunks instead of embarking on a basement filling monster and the huge investment in time and money that requires.

We all like to buy locomotives and rolling stock as we go instead of pay for it all up front. Yes, it's less efficient that way, but it's a lot more fun - and a hobby is first about FUN.

Why not do a layout that way too - build it to completion as you go? That's TOMA.

P.S. TrainMasters TV is doing a new series on building a TOMA project layout - read about it here. We're titling the series: Start small. THINK BIG.

Read all about it

Hi Hikermike,

If you use the MRH search facility at the top right of the the screen, these 2 links should help to explain things

https://forum.mrhmag.com/post/using-sectionalmodular-methods-on-a-home-layout-toma-12204673 and  https://forum.mrhmag.com/magazine-feedback-was-ezines-891776 

I hopre it begins to make a bit more sense for you,

N trak a TOMA?

Since N trak has been a module concept that you build to completion since the 1980's is it really a TOMA or it just an N trak module?

Toma mods

Joe, can you explain the building  process of the mods, or email me, as I don't have the funds to do the show as I would like, but this is the way I wish to go...one at a time

A bit splitting hairs

but N trak can be a form of TOMA, just like any other modular standard, depending on your approach.  Some just build two or three or four N traks to join up with others, or their club, not to have a layout, but if you build a layout out of N trak, isn't that a TOMA?

Nathan

The whole point of this is that the building process will be documented and presented in 2017 on TMTV and MRH, so that's where you'll find it soon enough.

TOMA Series benchwork

We used Model Railroad Benchwork's modular benchwork kits to build our benchwork for this project railroad. To do this series we defined our modeler who was building this layout in advance and one assumption we made is he's living in an apartment complex and doesn't have access to a shop. The only saw he has is a saber saw. So the premade modular benchwork is perfect for our hypothetical modeler on this project.

Model Railroad Benchwork is an MRH Marketplace advertiser, so to learn more, visit this link.

When each monthly episode airs, you will be able to "rent it" for a week and watch it for $1.49 each. If you can't afford that, you're in the wrong hobby (wink) ... there will be 10 episodes in all, or 14.90 total. Once it's done, it will also go up on the MRH Store for sale to own, which will be next fall.

I'll also be talking more about some TOMA experiments I've been doing starting in the January 2017 issue of MRH.

N-Track vs. TOMA

The One Module Approach (TOMA) can certainly be built with standard interfaces such as required by N-Track but needn't since it is your layout and not necessary to connect with any other modules.

If you feel the urge to interconnect with others in HO or N then consider looking at FREMO or similar groups in other scales. This allows free-form "modules" that have a standard interface at the ends but no requirement as to size or shape. It also encourages a single track mainline with passing sidings as FREMO was developed to allow operations for those who may not have enough space for a large layout. In fact, some of the setups can get quite huge when groups from several regions get together. There was one set up in Portland that had me thinking of building just one to bring to other shows and try a new scale (like I need more hobbies!).

The TOMA as suggested by the publisher, Joe, is intended to get people out of the chair and to build something. This can be a single track or many to gain experience and confidence with bench work, roadbed, track laying, building switches (if that appeals to you), scenery, bridges and buildings, and control systems. One module can take as long as you want or, if you feel the urge to run trains, the staging area suggested at either end (or one connected around the room for example) will allow some operations. 

At any point a new module can be added as part of a "grand plan" or to explore new ideas. Some have suggested that once the track is down, move on. Others may want to completely finish the 4', 6', 7', or whatever before trying another. Again, these needn't be complicated and, imho, the first should be kept simple. One track, a station, or a bridge or industry could get you involved for some time. Once you find what appeals to you then the next may be better and the first becomes a "chainsaw" that will eventually be removed or replaced.

The systems available for building bench work as in the TMTV video make some of the work for those with little room or confidence an avenue to build a section with less fuss and muss. Systems also exist for roadbed or "homo-bed" style that are ready to lay and designed for track and switches to go right down. This is a hobby that can allow you to explore many avenues. Some may take you down the rabbit hole into Wonderland. Electronics has done that for me and re-kindled my interest in trains in whole new ways. Enjoy!

Toma mods