The Mikado, sounds Asian doesn't it? It is in fact the native word for the Emperor of ancient Japan. So when in the 1930's (date uncertain), the government of Japan ordered some locomotives from an American builder, the builder named the new locomotives “Mikado”. The order was in fact canceled. The design itself was the most advanced for its time. The Mikados soon proved their worth and became ubiquitous on most railroads. They were affectionately known as “Mikes”. And so it is with this history in mind that the decision was made to include this powerful industrial workhorse on The Omega Scale Railway. This project is of course waiting in the wings for the appearance of the hopefully soon to be completed Shifter. More on that as it happens. So long for now, omscaler

Last week's activities illustrate the same principle by which children come to be in the world. One thing leads to another. To wit, after visiting the Gadsden Train Show, referred to previously, I was “inspired” to construct an N scale “module”. The “module” is basically, at this point, a 30'' by 60'' table without legs. I did get 'er done so to speak. As a nod to procrastination, I have had the hardware on hand for perhaps one or two years! Anyway, back to the module. I went to the building supply store with my trusty specialized tool I made from instructions in the ultra lightweight layout article I read in N Scale magazine. I picked out two pieces of light blue ¾'' extruded foam 4'x8' panels and began figuring out how I was going to cut the pieces small enough to fit in my Japanese car. I put it on the stores panel saw frame and a clerk with a customer come up immediately to use the saw frame. He said, “we don't cut that”. I said, “I am going to cut it myself”. But I still decided to move to an area less traveled. I found an out of the way place on a stack of boards. Some customers came up immediately and said they needed some of those boards. I said, “no problem”. They got their boards and then offered to help me cut the blue foam. This was a huge help. If not for this, I would still be there. We all need good neighbors! When I built the module I was very sore the next day. How could I be so sore from using a utility knife blade on foam? I must really be out of shape! Next, legs for the module. Also, back to The Omega Scale Railway. We are now building the locomotive tender. We still need to look at car movement and behavior on this scale of track. We are also in talks with a printer to see about developing a “kit” for the railway equipment. He said printing in this scale would be no problem! Wow, that was interesting. See you next time, omscaler

A little aside on our quest to implement The Omega Scale Railway. I recently sent a series of e-mails to Hallmark Cards® and Lionel® the train manufacturer. After Hallmark finally understood what I really wanted, they stated that the Lionel hanging tree ornaments were indeed made by Lionel. The ornament itself has made in China on the bottom of the box. The ornaments themselves have a reference to both Hallmark and Lionel. As a further aside to the aside, the reason all this rig-a-ma-roll is going on is that the dog gone ornaments are almost the correct scale (or maybe the exact scale [insert sneer emoji here] :) . Some of you are probably reading my mind. Why not get these scale items manufactured? Wow! What new vistas would open up. Back to the e-mails, so far no response from Lionel other than an acknowledgment by robot that the e-mail was received. However right as I was preparing this blog entry I was examining the above mentioned artifacts. On the flap of the little box I notice a promo message “Join our ornament club!” “Learn more at www.KOCmembers.com” The mystery continues...

Hello to all. I hope everyone had a good Easter. Imagine a rabbit that lays colorful eggs. It boggles the mind. This week I would like to take the blog in a little different direction. No it's not about colorful eggs. The Saturday before Easter I had an opportunity to attend the Coosa Valley Model Railroad Association Train Show. I would like to thank one of the organizers, Jim Bertch for his invaluable assistance with show information and background. The show was held in beautiful Gadsden, Alabama which is located right next to the storied Coosa River. It was a beautiful day for the show. Plenty of sunshine. This show has been held for thirty-one years. Imagine, a generation and a half, roughly speaking. The show was held in downtown Gadsden in the convention center (344 South First Street) which is easy to find being situated off highway 411 and overlooking the river (the front door is on the “city side”). This writer took a number of photographs with one overlooking a large part of the display floor. A number of great layouts were participating. There were also plenty of vendors to satisfy visitors desire for equipment and literature. Mr. Bertch commented that they were hoping for more young people, but on the other hand sales by vendors were good. Door prizes were given out to both adult and young visitors. People were indeed enjoying themselves. I think all of this bodes well for the future for the modelers, collectors and others. As a further side note, the Coosa Valley Model Railroad Association has a permanent layout located at the Gadsden Center for Cultural Arts, 501 Broad Street, Historic downtown Gadsden (downtown looks like the 1920's or so) and admission to the Center was included with admission to the train show. Next time I go I plan to see even more of the beautiful Gadsden area. Until next time, the recently traveled omscaler.