Getting the railroad moving

Successful test runs of a locomotive (2-8-0) with tender and a single boxcar have been made. To get to this point, I had to backtrack quite a bit. First was a redo of the connecting linkage. Then an alignment check of the track bed. The planned drive gear was abandoned altogether. What is working is a half inch “pin comb” which is manually pushed into the drive cord at a somewhat distant point from the train. This is simply moved along the track. Goofy but it works. At this point a small “peddler freight” consisting of two boxcars and one covered hopper are operating on the Alto Pass module. Testing shows that the “drive” curved section in needing an upgrade. This will be worked out soon. Next on the drawing board is an upgrade of two each flatcars and gons. The planned drive unit is believed to require a spur gear of a material yet to be determined. A rigid bushing and a fixed axle. Much more complicated than omscaler was hoping. It is believed that in time a solution will present itself. See our faithful readers next post. Until then, omscaler

 

Unexpected development

Omscaler continues working on the drive unit for the Alto Pass module. The last “bench test” was very promising. At that point, omscaler decided to conduct a live operation. Correct movement of the equipment was seen. Very promising. However, and this is an important however, the drive cord rode up out of the drive train chamber. This effectively disengage the drive unit unintentionally. Uh-oh. Looks like omscaler will have to install a angular guide on the side wall of the chamber. As we say, “More work to do”. See readers next post, omscaler

 

More work to do

Last week saw the completion of the toothed drive. However, when the drive was attempted to mount, a misalignment was encountered. Omscaler is thinking that by next post, readers should be informed about a successful test run. A lot of non-Omega Scale interference was seen last week. Omscaler is counting on less this week. We will see, omscaler

 

Is this a tortoise race?

It seems like it to omscaler. Once again, last week was super busy with non-OSR stuff. However, as this post is being written, the toothed contact surface is being applied to the drive disc. This is applied in two sections with drying time between glue application. Hopefully by next post, this drive unit will have been tested and be up and running. Keeping tortoise fingers crossed, omscaler

 

Is this blog a broken record?

 It seems like it to omscaler. To rehash the drive unit, the new contact surface has been fashioned. However, it has not been attached to the gear disk. Also, the main axle mount needs to be movable to engage and disengage from the drive cord. Also, last week was unusually busy with non Omega Scale activities. All in all, not enough got done. However, this week will see more effort toward the building of the drive unit. Still at it, omscaler

 

Did it work?

Last week saw testing of the new drive unit. This unit was tested in a limited fashion. As it happened, it worked in a limited fashion. The basic idea seemed promising, but more accurate alignment is needed. Also, another problem was seen. Omscaler made a very narrow strip of sand paper from a larger piece. This was attached to the rim of the drive pulley. This created a friction surface to move the drive cord. As omscaler was testing the drive pulley, more and more tiny grit particles were seen around the pulley support area. For this reason, omscaler has decided a cleaner solution is needed. So...back to the drawing board. More updates to come, omscaler

 

On the cusp, once again

Omscaler is happy to report that he thinks he has a solution. Last weekend a preliminary drive unit test worked. Omscaler was very happy for this little bit of progress. This actually took place on the “test track”. Next is seating the drive gear permanently. Then the actual “road test”. This will involve mounting the drive unit to the other modules and observing how things work. Hopefully, all of this will be done by the end of this week. Still driving forward, omscaler

 

Drive unit update

Omscaler is continuing to work on the drive unit for the Alto Pass module. Some preliminary work has been done, but more work is needed. This will involve setting a “drive disk/gear” into a circular recess. Before this an actual drive disk will need to be built. This may turn out to be the tricky part. The challenges are using material that is strong enough, has traction teeth, and is easy to build. Still a’ workin’, omscaler

 

Linkage success?

“Linkage success”, is that even a word? Well, if it wasn’t before, it is now. Or maybe a phrase? The main point is that this past Sunday saw successful operation with the locomotive linked to the drive cord. Omscaler thinks that even though this is working, the results over time may need to be improved upon. We shall see. All in all, omscaler is happy with the current outcome. Next will be work on a drive unit. This will be challenging. Still forging ahead, omscaler

 

Are we there yet?

Don’t you love it when there are kids in the back car seat? This may be Karma. When you were a child, did you keep asking, “Are we there yet?” In a similar vein, I and maybe you keep wondering if we are there yet. We have made a test run and moved the locomotive around the module. Though not in a complete circuit. There are still bugs to work out, but results are promising. Do to numerous circumstances, OSR work was otherwise sparse. This week should see work on the actual drive mechanism as well as more drive link testing. We will get there yet, omscaler

 

Not there yet

Last post omscaler said that a new drive unit was being worked on. This was in addition to a new drive linkage. At this point, neither is working. This is a typical scenario on The Very Small Railroad. You don’t have to love challenges, but it helps. The new linkage is challenging for a number of reasons. The design should be universal. That is it will work with any locomotive on The OSR. Second, it should work well. And last, it should be easy to use. Omscaler thinks he has number one on the drawing board. Then will come building and testing. The second consideration is believed to be in hand as well. Third will have to be used and tested. Still a-buildin’, omscaler

 

The first post of 2026

Happy New Year to all the Omega Scale Railway blog readers. This year is starting out very interesting in a number of ways, but omscaler does not comment regarding public media and news. Just the railroad, ‘maam. Now is a good time to reflect on what got done last year. Four new refrigerator cars come to mind. Also, the new turnout design. Omscaler learned how to make curved track. New tie marking method was done. All in all, a very progressive year. As of the end of 2025, a new drive linkage was being worked on. Also, an actual drive unit was in the works as well. Neither of these made it to the finish line. So, more work to do. Typical on The Very Small Railroad. Hoping for a good year for all of us, omscaler