Omscaler found some time to do a little work on the OSR. However, he thought he had more parts premade. This discovery will call for some more work to make the stock car, but that is what we do around here. Omscaler is still thinking about making more than one. We will see what happens. See you blog readers next post, omscaler
As this post is being written, omscaler is hoping for a slice of time to do any amount of work on the next project. As happened lately, other commitments have horned their way into OSR project time. This and a manpower shortage as well as ghastly hot weather have all taken their toll. Their seems to be a little relief for the manpower shortage, but the full effect has not happened yet. Also, there is afoot a side project regarding The Omega Scale Railway. However, omscaler always has to be careful not to get too many irons in the fire. See readers next post, omscaler
As readers will recall, some details were mentioned last post regarding the next project. It seems that all that has happened is writing about the details. In other words, talk is cheap. Some of this was due to bad weather hindering the execution of a part-time temporary job. The workload and the weather look like both are improved this coming week. We shall see. Hopefully, nothing else will vie too much for omscaler’s attention. I am still moving forward on the stock car build. Still planning to double down, omscaler
Yep. Around here, the weather has been toasty. That and outdoor errands and chores have slowed the old Very Small Railroad down a lot. But yet...it’s not the heat. It’s the humidity. All this notwithstanding, omscaler is planning to try to double down on the next project. If readers recall, a stock car is planned. See all readers next post, omscaler
To update readers with the correct information, the gondola mentioned in the last post actually was completed on Friday, June 6th. You know what they say about good intentions. However, omscaler is proud to have finished gondola GM&O 13238. These gondolas were built with “fish belly” sides to have better structural strength. As readers know, omscaler builds equipment as close to realistic as possibel. As mentioned last post, the next project is supposed to be a stock car. Details to be determined. More updates to follow, omscaler
As this post is written, the second gondola is almost ready for final assembly. This rail car should be done by Monday evening at the latest. Omscaler has decided to work on a stock car as the next project. Some of the parts are already made. However, these are for one car only. Omscaler would like to have three on the roster. We will see how that goes. From where I am, humid but happy, omscaler
As readers will note, this blog was not available the morning of May 26th. If you are joining us late you will have seen it after 9:00 PM Central Daylight time. This tardiness is due to attending a wedding out of town which required eleven hours driving between three drivers. This was one way. The caption (label) above should read, “and many dollars short”. But enough about fuel prices. The wedding trip and work and a high school graduation took enough time to delay the second gon. Omscaler is not complaining. I am very proud of our new graduate and the bride and groom as well. As far as the “part time job”, one person on vacation preceded by two quitting (one may have come back) may create another time shortage. The gon will probably inch along. Hopefully, a complete project will ensue. Tired but happy, omscaler
As this post is written, the finishing touches to gondola GM&O 13213 are being applied. The second gon should be finished in short order as some parts are already made. Omscaler had a unusual opportunity to visit the Northport, Alabama model railroad club. An important errand had to be run to Reform, Alabama which gave time for the visit on the way back. This club is first rate to say the least. Featured are an ‘O’ gauge and an ‘HO’ gauge layouts. Both very well done. These are housed in the former GM&O depot. A caboose is also on the property. The visit was good but short due to the 1:00 P.M., closing time. Omscaler is planning to return. See readers next post, omscaler
The Rule is “If you are not happy with it now, you be less happy with it later”. This rule applies to a lot of things. A new car, a haircut, a marriage. In this case, omscaler was getting bothered about the previous flat car numbering error. As it happened, there is a technique to remove car applique`s. Omscaler went to work to correct said problem and is happy to report that the flat cars now have their original numbers, #11013 and #11025. Work continues on the gondola builds. Fortunately, a letter misalignment was caught early and fixed. More news next post, omscaler
As of 8:33 a.m. Sunday morning Central Daylight time, two Mobile & Ohio flat cars were put to work on the Omega Scale Railway. In this instance, the cars were renumbered to #’s 111013 and 111025. This was an error in road number printing which was not noticed until the cars were completed. It was determined that the damage to the car to correct the problem was not worth the effort. At this writing the two GM&O gondolas are being worked on. The first thing will be the reporting marks and road name (large initials) printing. Omscaler has already checked the numerals for correctness. Thank you to readers for checking in. See you next post, omscaler
At this point in the flat car build, omscaler had only one day left to get the last details in place. This is due to last week’s surprisingly busy “part time” work schedule. Also, some non-omega scale activites were putting on pressure. What to do? Omscaler will simply get busy at the intended outcome once again. Next week should see a start on the two gondolas. Hopefully. Another update for readers next week. Omscaler
Omscaler is happy to announce that, hopefully, by this post, flat car rebuild number one will be finished. The blog header picture is of the flat car without brake wheel and wheel stanchion as well as no stirrup steps. The flat car behind and to the right, coupled to the open door boxcar, is the original build type. Next build is the remaining M&O flat car. After that, two GM&O gondolas. See readers next post, omscaler
As mentioned before, work is slow but going forward. Reporting marks are on the sides of the first flat car. The running gear is assembled as well. The car deck is mostly done too. The two flat cars are M&O. The gondola cars are Pere Marquette but will be retired and replaced with GM&O gondolas. Omscaler feels that these are much more appropriate. As a side note, omscaler went to the semi-annual train show in Gadsden, Alabama this past Saturday. The show was really good. A lot of scenery has been done on the permanent layout located in the Mary Hardin Center. As a further side note, the new Attalla Museum was open and omscaler enjoyed meeting the curator and other staff and volunteers. If you are in North East Alabama, you should plan a visit. More updates next post and thank you to readers for checking in, omscaler
Omscaler has continued to work on the Alto Pass module. It seems that the drive cord is disengaging. A solution is planned and will be added soon. The four rail car upgrades are being worked on with an M&O flat car being the first one. Work progress has been slow due to outside responsibilities but more consistent work is planned. See readers next post, omscaler
As of last week, a five-car peddler freight made regular runs on the module. Operation is adequate but needs fine tuning still. The next module phase will be the Alto Pass station and senery. At this point, a side trip to upgrade two gondola and flat cars to current standards will be taken. Thanks to all readers for visiting, omscaler
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
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
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
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
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
