Sunday, November 17, 2024

Still Rethinking My Inglenook

In 2022, I began playing around with an N scale micro layout using the traditional Inglenook track plan:
The original Inglenook idea, which has apparently existed since the 1930s, is a self-contained layout that's used to run switching puzzles. Over time, as I kept playing around with the idea, I began to think about it in the context of newer modular ideas like T-TRAK. I eventually shimmed the layout up enough to match the T-TRAK baseboard height and spliced a Unitrack interface into the Inglenook tail track so that the Inglenook could be interfaced with a T-TRAK module.
But after that, I became aware of newer N scale module systems that also use the Unitrack connection, Kato Mini Diorama modules and the compatible Pocket Size Modules, which I've also talked about here. I decided these would be a better choice to interface with the Inglenook and re-shimmed the deck height to about 25 mm to match the newer types.
But then it occurred to me that there was no reason not to add another Unitrack interface at the other end of the long straight track at the base of the layout, which would allow other modules to be connected at either end. But if I did this, I might as well go ahead and replace the yard tracks with Unitrack. The original track was what I had on hand, salvaged from an old N layout, but being re-used, it was uneven and unreliable. Might as well just replace it.

Below is the current status:

When I lowered the deck height to 25 mm, there was no longer clearance to mount a Digitrax DS52 switch decoder underneath the baseboard, so it's been brought up top and will be covered up with a structure. I decided to keep the diagonal track and the dummny crossing. This track is wired as a Digitrax programming track. The next task is wiring up the Unitrack switches to the DS52 and then finishing tracklaying.
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