Livestock on the road

Yes. The Omega Scale Railway is now transporting livestock. The livestock car was completed last Friday afternoon. Omscaler was able to make an improved roof type. Previously, some car roofs were prone to appearing sway-backed. Also on this car some things were omitted. The stirrup step that was put on did not look right. The livestock car end used some vertical bracing that indicated that the brake wheel and even more so, the brake wheel platform would protrude too much. This area is not easily seen when the car is in a train. So, what did not look right was left out. The car looks more crisp this way. Omscaler had intended to make more than one, but so much was competing for time, one was the final decision. We can always make more later. See you readers next time, omscaler

 

The walls are going up

By the time readers see this, the stock car walls, er, sides should be attached. At the “part time” job, one driver (not me) was in an auto incident. The vehicle was totaled. The driver was shaken. The work was dished out to me and one other. Any to who, omscaler is thankful that what got done, got done. What is needed to complete this project is an improved roof assembly. Omscaler thinks he has a plan. See you readers next post, omscaler

 

The light at the end of the tunnel?

As this post is written, all components are assembled or ready for assembly. The roof parts need to be made yet. After that, we should be very close to done. The suspense is mounting. Omscaler has been informed that more off time from the “part-time” job should be happening soon. Nothing wrong with that. This should allow more Omega Scale Railway building time. Keeping fingers crossed, omscaler

 

More stock car news

Last week again was slow build progress on the stock car. However, what was done mostly completed the sides with the exception of a little trim work. As these car sides were completed, omscaler had a funny idea. The idea was that a better construction method could have been used. This method would also make construction easier. As is usually the case, the idea came after it was initially needed. The current plan is to build one stock car only. Omscaler typically likes to build three or four cars at a time. With current rate of building, it seemed one would be better. But now, temptation has reared its ugly head. “Why not build at least three more”?, my brain said to me. I guess we will have to see. What would help is less competition from other needs. Anyway, see you readers next post, omscaler

 

Frustration with a little progress

Last week’s project work was interrupted. A special unrelated side project took much of the time. Unexpected family commitments gnawed their way into OSR time. The weather was very hot. There was some sleep shortage. Chores reared their ugly heads. Omscaler thinks he is making too many excuses and making too many complaints. However, the only solution is to keep plugging away. So, that is what will be done. Cooler and refocusing, omscaler

 

The work has begun

As this post is written, omscaler can earnestly say the stock car project has started. As referred to last post, not enough car body parts were made and standing by. That was soon remedied. Omscaler fired up the old hobby laser and got busy. All side components were made and the doors attached to the side. Standing by are ends, ladders, stirrup steps, coupler hooks, wheels. Still to make are roof, roof walk, lateral walks, side frames, brake wheel and brake wheel stand. Omscaler hopes he has not left something out. Other things continue to vie for attention, but by week’s end, a good effort should be made. Still pushing along, omscaler

 

Moving forward, slowly

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

 

Settling down to business

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

 

It’s the heat! Man!

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

 

Late but finished

To update readers with the correct information, the gondola mentioned in the last post actually was completed on Friday, June 6^th. 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

 

 

Gondola number two

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

 

A day late and a dollar short?

As readers will note, this blog was not available the morning of May 26^th. 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

 

The finishing touch

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:

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

 

Two for the road, finally

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

 

If by chance?

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

 

One and done, almost...

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

 

Still trudging

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

 

Fine tuning and car upgrades

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