Not a townhouse

Omscaler is continuing to work on the William Hull House. Many components are ready for assembly. We have been able to use a new method to make bay window sections. This approach gives a cleaner appearance and is easier to assembly correctly. Actual window glazing will use the puddled glue method for the same reasons. Regarding the above caption, it was pointed out to omscaler that this is a free standing dwelling and not an attached townhouse. Omscaler needs to be correct on as many points as possible. Building on, omscaler

 

Introducing the new passenger depot

As a point of fact, the depot had a “soft opening” last Thursday. The Omega Scale Railway is very proud to have this addition to the railroad. The old depot building still stands and is now used as the Obion County Chamber of Commerce. The original station featured Spanish tile porch roofs. Curved porch roof supports, wainscoting and two sets of double doors. Also, the building has an asymmetrical four sided bay window. Since the depot is located on a sixty-degree rail crossing, the building has an irregular shape. If readers live in or visit west Tennessee, perhaps a visit could be made. On to the next set of projects, omscaler

 

Done and done for the depot

 

It is expected that as of this post, the Union City, Tennessee, Union Station is complete. Omscaler is very proud to have this historic landmark represented on The Omega Scale Railway. This station will provide for passenger service to have a destination and departures between this town and Murphysboro, Illinois. Now, all that is needed to lay track on the Union City module. Also, to make a circuit, curved track sections are needed. The Very Small Railroad always has plenty to do. As a side note, omscaler enjoyed visiting the Gadsden Train Show this past Saturday. Looking forward to the next one. Still working and planning, omscaler

 

Roof railing by any other name

As this post is written, all passenger depot walls are installed, and the main roof is now placed. The walls extend above the roof and omscaler is deciding what to call this extended feature. Research indicates that this is called a plain parapet. The reference photo shows some type of tiling running the length of the parapet. This is the current feature being made. After this and chimney installation, the next step should be the Spanish tile porch roof. Omscaler is not sure if this will be done by the time this post is posted. So, omscaler will keep readers posted. Working near the top, omscaler

 

Walls are up

 All main walls are installed on the new passenger depot. Two measuring errors were discovered. Fortunately, they only required small extension sections. Omscaler felt like he dodged a bullet though. The main roof is prepped and ready to install as well. Further details readers will note is that final vertical attachment of walls still remain to be done. The Spanish tile porch roof is waiting as well. Downspouts will be done after that. We will need a chimney too. It is all about the details. Working and fine tuning, omscaler

 

Trial and error

Yes. Last week saw three methods used to make Spanish roof tiles for the passenger depot. Omscaler is not one hundred percent satisfied with the final decision but we think it is the best for appearance sake. First effort was making tile sections that were one sixteenth inch wide by two and a quarter inches long. This turned out to be very tedious and looked realistic. It was decided that if one eighth wide sections were used and overlapped even more, time could be saved. This result looked realistic as well. However, something seemed amiss. After careful study, the problem was identified. In both cases the appearance seemed too large. A third idea was tried and that is the method that will be used. It involves careful linear cutting at an angle. So now omscaler can move forward with actual usable roof components. This method is also faster and less tedious. Just the break we need. Hanging out on the roof, omscaler

 

We are having a groovy time.

As omscaler mentioned last post, we were pressing on. Or more literally, embossing on. We are making wide grooves in terra cotta colored cardstock. Does that mean we are “grooving on”? Not actually that much fun, but the results will be worth it. Readers may wonder what the time frame is for the project. Omscaler wonders a little “hisself”. Last week was unusually active in non-OSR activities. This week is shaping up so far to be more conducive to building. And so we will. Omscaler

 

Thank you Spain

Once again, omscaler has posted an enigmatic caption. This is due to the current structure being built. As readers may recall, it is the Union City, Tennessee, union station. The awning roof is made with Spanish tiles. Omscaler had a choice. To either make a simple roof or be more historically realistic. Omscaler decided to go for it. The tile roof called for learning a new fabrication method. Fortunately, a working plan and the necessary tool were at hand. So far the result is promising but not without drawbacks. We press on. Literally as readers will find out. Until next time, omscaler

 

Dip, dip, brush, brush?

A non-dipping success. Curious readers may wonder what this is about. Let omscaler explain. Last week we laser cut window frames for both the passenger depot and Hull house. Saturday saw us working on a way to reinforce the frames due to their very light construction. The first trial was dipping them in clear PVA glue. This was problematic. Omscaler decided to revert to the previously used method of using a clear sheet of plastic. Then brushing on a thin film of glue. After this, the window frames were place in the glue. This was followed by brushing on more glue. As a side note, one frame received the above treatment except clear nail polish was used. The fumes from this contributed to the idea to use only glue. Now you, dear readers, have a idea about what goes into making window frames on The Very Small Railroad. Still sticking around, omscaler

 

The laser’s edge

Omscaler has been at work making two new structures for The Omega Scale Railway. The one that is furthest along is the Union City Union Station. It was home to both the GM&O and the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis railroads. This will provide an immediate opportunity for interchange between the two roads. Parts for the station have almost been completed. The hobby laser used does indeed save time in cutting the same. After this will come parts for the William Hull house. A historic and former bed and breakfast home in Murphysboro, Illinois. See you on the edge, omscaler

 

A tale of two autos

 As promised, here is more information about the two automobiles mentioned last post. Our account begins with a decision to make more autos for The Omega Scale Railway. It was also decided to try a new material. That material was air-dry clay. An entry on the internet said it was easy to make your own. A simple formula was located, and necessary supplies gathered. Omscaler ended up with approximately two cups of the stuff. This for two autos that are about one-half inch long. Still plenty in storage (the refrigerator). The first attempt went wrong due to omscaler microwaving the batch too long. Air-dry omscaler. Air-dry. Once we got the method down, two “roadsters” were made. One, a red model with a white roof, belongs to Oscar Edgefield, Railroad Superintendent. The second, belongs to Miss Penelope Van Dyme, a local businesswoman. As a final note, The Murphysboro module has the sub-base glued to the base. Pencil markings showing rail line placement have been drawn on the sub-base. Also, two structures are in the works. Busier and busier, omscaler

 

Happy Seventh Anniversary!

Wow! How time flies! It has indeed been seven years since the start of this blog. Nine years since work started on The Omega Scale Railway. Last week saw the addition of two automobiles to the Murphysboro module. More on that later. Also last week we saw the start of the new Union City, TN, module. Big things are happening on The Very Small Railroad. And to all you “Valentiners” have a great Valentine’s Day, omscaler

 

Well and done

As of last Thursday afternoon, all seven turnouts were completed. All seven turnouts utilize material heretofore avoided in the past. Three turnouts were done with a vinyl insert and four were done with a polystyrene insert. Previously, cardstock had been used. However, material weakness made this unsuitable. Once the card began bending, there was no way to straighten or reinforce it enough to continue use. Most of the time the turnout worked very poorly. Now that the new material is being used, trials indicate a longer and more rugged working life. Currently, the southbound Gulf Coast Special is boarding and will depart for the port city of Mobile. This will be followed by an empty hopper extra headed south for Streamline and Captain mines. On a construction and building note, this past Saturday saw the preparation of a batch of air-dry clay. Soon this material will be tried out for vehicles and figures it is hoped. Also, the Union City module is soon to be assembled. Two structures are on the way as well. Staying very busy, omscaler

 

Still heading up

Omscaler is still heading up. Up the turnout upgrade hill that is. As of this writing, two complete turnouts are done. Several more components are ready made and waiting. The next turnout is number three of seven. After these are done, the turnouts come in pairs whereas the earlier ones lead to stub tracks. More clearly, crossing from one parallel track to another requires two turnouts. This has the potential to stall rail traffic when the pair is removed for replacement. Seems like OSR dispatch may have their work cut out when this happens. Omscale feels they are more than able to handle the challenge. Until the next upgrade, er, update that is, omscaler

 

Up the turnout upgrade hill

As mentioned previously, omscaler is busy working on upgrading seven turnouts. The first one is already done. However, what was revealed was that the “frog area” needed a rework as well. In reality, the old problem of frog weakness still remained. Somewhat improved but still there. Fyi, a frog is the metal plate that keeps rail car and locomotive engine wheels tracking correctly as the turnout is crossed. So, omscaler returned to the drawing board for a redesign. We think we have it now, we hope. Keeping you posted on the turnout rebuild trail, omscaler

 

Those pesky switch-stands!

Last week was spent working on switch-stands. Things seemed to start out okay but when it came time to do a trial fit, not so good. The reason was that the base was too big. Well, back to the drawing board. Fortunately, the base was able to be shortened. Shortening the base also meant that rod guides on the base had to be redone as well. We did not have much room to spare. The base measure 5/16” by 5/16”. The so named sliding wedge could only be so long before it interfered with the next parallel track and roadbed. As it turned out, omscaler was able to work through the challenge. After redoing the measurements, work began on making seven new turnouts for the Murphysboro module. When this is complete, one of the 2024 goals will be met. Still working ahead, omscaler

 

Better and better

As this post is being written, the glue is drying on the latest project. Specifically, a “target” was attached to the switch stand on a new turnout. The old turnouts did not function as well as was hoped and were prone to warp during use. So, last week, omscaler rolled up his sleeves and began designing an improved turnout. This has been an ongoing periodic effort since The Omega Scale Railway’s inception. The first attempts were very clunky. This last design may be number six on the list of trials. Here is what we have. The new turnout is about ten-percent the size of the current ones. It uses “drop-in” installation. It looks much more realistic. And, pending a shake-down period, it works better. This is a win-win-win-win for The Omega Scale Railway. Pending final installations, this will be an attained goal for the new year. Then, onward and upward, omscaler

 

New beginning, new goals

As this post is being written, the new year is fast upon us. Omscaler has already made goals for The Omega Scale Railway for 2024. Honestly, some things did not get done in 2023. These were reinstated for 2024 as well as new goals for the year. 2024 promises to be even busier than last year. The first thing slated is a turnout upgrade. The previous ones did work but did not wear well. Omscaler has a better design in mind. Then what? That will be determined soon. One thing under consideration is figures for the OSR. Place looks like a ghost town. With the completion of the passenger train, the entire local area looks overcrowded and technically, the train has no place to go. We hope to change this soon. More on this later. All supplies are believed to be on hand so building can start on many projects. See you in the new year, omscaler