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

 

Testing and adjusting

As this post is written, a trial run with a locomotive has been attempted. Somewhat good but not entirely successful. More work was needed. Overall, a working plan is in place. Good to have one. Also, the New Year is fast upon us. Have blog readers finished their goal writing? A goals list is very effective. Good to have one. Back to the OSR. Another thing that will be needed is terrain features and foliage. All new stuff for The Very Small Railroad. But first, we need that shake down process for the drive component. Still adjusting and testing, omscale

 

Curved track work

Last week saw steady progress on the Alto Pass Module. Omscaler had to relearn how to make curved track sections. The initial attempt was done using a Brother Scan n Cut CM-350. This machine has not been used for several years. The last time it was used was for making twin bay hopper car sides. This attempt was not successful. As readers may recall, the hobby laser was used to complete this particular project. On this occasion, several attempts were made to produce the desired track/ballast components. This trial was not successful either. The machine had trouble reading the lines of the drawing to be cut. The lines were drawn using a mechanical pencil. Apparently, a computer file of the appropriate type is needed. Omscaler, not having such, decided that in this case, the machine could not be used for Omega Scale projects. Fortunately, omscaler’s granddaughter was in town for a visit. She is very artistic and omscaler was able to give the machine to her. It now lives in Newnan, Georgia. An all-around win in this Christmas season. The final outcome for cutting curved track/ballast sections involved using the good ‘ol craft knife. Turned out to be simpler, faster and a better appearing result considering what was called for. More specifically, the track sections have ties and rails applied to them using special techniques. Once again, glad for a good outcome, omscaler

 

Three of five

Omscaler has put in three of five total turnouts. Last weekend was slow working due to gift wrapping and great grandson’s second birthday. This week should see all turnouts put in and all straight track installed. Next will be curved sections. As mentioned before, this is a new type of track making so we will see how it goes. Since this module is in the Shawnee Hills area, more scenery building will be called for as well. Anticipating even more fun, omscaler

 

Terrain installed mostly

As of this writing, all terrain except the corner module for the drive is on the modules. One thing that happened was that omscaler ran out of the ground cover he was using. A next day trip to the craft store brought in enough to do the job. The drive mechanism will have to wait until further development, but the sections are ready to put on. To be cautious, omscaler will work on the Mountain Glen turnout and test it before proceeding with the others. New track/ballast sections are needed. This is due to damage to the previously used tracks being removed. However, a lot of track sections are needed anyway. Something new is curved track/ballast sections. As omscaler has said before, “Always something new to learn on The Omega Scale Railway”. Participating in continuous education, omscaler 

 

‘Tis the season for...gremlins?

Well, not really gremlins. Just a large boo boo. Omscaler finished installing all five turnouts on the module. Some adjacent track was installed as well. If finally dawned me that I had seen a problem on the Union City Module. In this case the lower level of the ballast was obscured by the surrounding terrain. On the previous module omscaler went to the trouble of making sloping sides on the ballast sections. Once the adjacent terrain section was put in, it was about the same height as the lower part of the ballast. This made the right of way look a little sunken. Not too bad but still not correct. As stated, some track was put in when I realized the problem. Nothing for it but to remove the track and install terrain sections. Some, maybe most of the track sections were badly damaged. So, at this point, omscaler has back tracked and made terrain sections which will be added before track is laid. Humble and persistent, omscaler

 

Initial success

Omscaler is happy to report that the Mountain Glen turnout is in place and tested well. Next will be the four turnouts at Alto Pass. Still to come are curved track sections. Slow but sure progress. Omscaler hopes that everyone has a happy and safe Thanksgiving. Until next post, omscaler

 

Now for the next phase

Omscaler is glad to report that all turnouts are in place. All channels are built as well. The next part will be ballast and track laying. Omscaler has decided to build these parts around the turnouts first. This will allow for adjustments without having to reposition and reglue track sections. The end modules will need curved track. This is something that has never been made on The Omega Scale Railway. As said before, “Always something new on The Very Small Railroad”. Fortunately, omscaler has a working plan. Trying to go around the bend, omscaler

 

Another discovery

As readers recall, last week’s post referred to channel building. As part of that, turnouts should be installed as well. The initial test turnout installation revealed a discrepancy in the sub-surface turnout “chamber” height. At this point omscaler recalled having to build a platform under each turnout which were installed on previous modules. In order to simplify this process, it was decided to raise the height of the turnout chamber and eliminate the need for platform under the turnouts. Doing this called for adjusting the measurements on the dimension diagram sheet. This was done in a slow and meticulous manner. At the writing of this post, turnout building is moving forward. Until next time, omscaler