Label: It's a New Year!

Yep! Out with the old. In with the new. For many, the new year is a time for new beginnings. Here at The Omega Scale Railway it is time for renewed efforts, renewed commitment to development success.  Last year saw much progress. Every necessary component was successfully developed. The only possible exception was a motor system for locomotive operation. I say this because we did motivate the yard shifter successfully, though somewhat crudely. Crude because we had to get things done. We can now move forward confidently. We believe all unknowns have been reconciled. We will definitely implement an improved motor system. Also, we will meet the need for all types of rolling stock. At this point, the previously mentioned freight house should be completed. Omscaler does not believe in resolutions but rather sets goals. Statistically, this method shows a dynamically more success rate than resolution setting. Why? Who cares! Let’s do what works! The Omega Scale Railway has numerous goals for 2018. Let’s see how many happen. By the way, 2018 is the year of the Dog in Asian culture. Chinese New Year will follow on the heels of Jan. 1, in late January or early February. In Asia, the dog is very auspicious. If a “Dog” comes to your house, it is considered most favorable. I hope we all have a “Dog” year! Here at OSR we are definitely going to try. Again, an optimistic omscaler

Label: The disruptive economy

This is the era of disruptive technology. Old line firms have gone. Others are either going away or attempting to transform themselves. All of this has had profound effects on the public in general. The Omega Scale Railway is poised to join the ranks of those enterprises that have changed the landscape of what has traditionally been. The OSR is unique in its characteristics because the technology is relatively simple. First is the substructure or base. The base does not need to be made of wood, though it can. This can potentially save hundreds to thousands of dollars in plywood. Say good-bye Georgia Pacific. Next is the right-of-way or roadbed. Again, no wood, foam or similar material. The rail ties are not plastic as is often found at present. Say good-bye Dow Chemical. The rails themselves are not nickle-silver. Say good-bye Atlas Tool Company, Hillside, New Jersey (nothing against New Jersey, the Garden State. People in that area need good vegetables!). Say good-bye Peco. Say good-bye Homestead Mining. And what about crossing rivers and other obstacles? Say good-bye Central Valley, Plastruct. What is on top of the rails? Wheels, of course. Say good-bye Atlas, Northwest Shortline. And the wheels are in trucks (rail-car trucks). Say good-bye Kadee. What about the rolling stock? Say good-bye Athern, Atlas, Bachmann, IHC,Life-like, Roundhouse-Model Die Casting, Model Power Rivarossi and more. What powers the locomotives? Say good-bye MRC. What no power pack? Say good-bye local power company. Scenery? Say good-bye Woodland Scenics (maybe?). Where are we now? Wow! As you can see. The potential for disruption is vast. Well, maybe not. I have many items from many of the above mentioned makers. I have no plans to get rid of them. Still, the OSR is a game changer. Change is inevitable. Who knows what transformations will take place in year 2018 (the year of the Dog for those of you who need to know ;) <= emoticon with wink.)? As you can see, The Omega Scale Railway is very different. It utilizes different resources. But also returns model railroaders to an earlier time when most things were completely scratch built. Challenging, I know. But that is where the fun is (insert another emoticon with a wink). So, perhaps this year we will see who will step up to the plate at the OSR. Maybe I should watch out. Maybe someone else will take the lead in The Omega Scale. Maybe? We will see. I am hoping that all have a great and prosperous year ahead. The optimistic omscaler

Label: A Christmas tradition

With apologies to the estate of Clement Clark Moore.

T'was the night before Christmas when all through the freight yard,

Not a switcher was stirring, not even a car.

The knapsacks were hung by the coal stove with care,

In hopes that Saint Nicholas would fill them there.

The track-gang was slouched in their bunk-beds while visions of rail tools danced in their heads.

And I in my red/green striped P.J. overalls and cap had just settled my brains for a long winter's nap.

When down on the mainline there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from my crew-bunk to see what the matter.

Over to the window I flew in a flash, ripped off the shade and kicked out the sash.

The moon reflected off the dusting of snow and gave the quiet rail yard a nocturnal glow.

When what to my groggy eyes should now display,

But eight tiny boxcars and a miniature locomotive, type Shay.

The little old engineer, lively and quick, gave me pause;

his antics reminded me of Santa Claus.

Faster than a speeding passenger train they came,

The driver blew the whistle, rang the bell and called each car by name.

Now Northwestern! Now New York Central! Now Milwaukee and Penn!

On Baltimore! On Frisco! On Chessie! On L&N!

To the top of the shed! To the top of the wall! Roll away, roll away all!

As cinders blow upward when the fast express rolls by, the train in passing sends them toward the sky.

So on to the crew cars they flew, with cars full of goodies and the Claus-engineer too.

And then in a moment I heard on the roof above, a jolt and bang as each car stopped with a shove.

As a pulled my head back through the wrecked window and was turning around,

down the stove pipe and out the fire door came the little engineer with a bound.

He was dressed in white denim with green and red stripes from his head to his foot,

And his overalls were all tarnished with cinders and soot.

A bundle of goods he had flung on his back,

and he looked like a paymaster happily opening his sack.

His eyes glowed like stars! His dimples were merry!

His cheeks were like ash-dusted roses, his nose like a dusty cherry!

His mouth was turned up in smile, and his snow-white beard looked a little shorter than a mile.

The smoke-stack looking pipe he held in his teeth, the billowing smoke circled his head like a wreath.

He had a broad face and a boiler shaped belly that shook when he laughed, like a bowl of jelly.

He spoke not a word but filled the hanging knapsacks with new tools then turned with a crack and next went up the stove pipe on his way back.

He sprang to his engine and pulled on the whistle and away the little freight rolled like a wind driven thistle.

But I heard him exclaim as they rolled out of sight

“Merry Christmas to all and To all good night!”

I couldn't have said it better myself. omscaler

Label: What is needed?

As mentioned previously, the OSR is gearing up for more equipment. The big question is, what is most needed right now? Well, (to the tune of The Twelve Days of Christmas) one yard shifter, two Moguls, three red cabooses (caboosi?), four flat cars, five gondolas, six tank cars, seven, coal hoppers, eight covered hoppers,  nine out side braced wood boxcars, ten refrigerator cars, eleven wood sheathed boxcars, twelve sheet steel boxcars. But seriously, what does a small railroad really need? Let's look at what businesses need rail service and also what geography is the railroad located in. Potential answers: large factories – boxcars, gondolas, coal hoppers, flat cars. Food processing – refrigerators, boxcars, coal hoppers. Note: if this railroad is placed back in the day, lots of plants had their own steam generation capability, hence coal deliveries. Chemical plants – tank cars. Plus smaller distributors need all of the above in smaller amounts. And where to put the main rail yard? And does the railway cross rivers, lakes, ridges and mountains? We need bridges and extra locomotives. So, start small and work your way up. The sky is the limit. omscaler

Label: Holiday Season

The Holiday season is now in full swing. It is a great time of year. This is the time when many people put train at the foot of their Christmas tree. Fun, fun, fun. Is that what it is all about. Yes and no. what is wrong with good clean fun. Special programs and activities abound. Also, many groups and individuals give to those who need help. Also, fun? A philosopher once said there is no truly unselfish act. This is great. That means a gift is always a win-win. Here at The Omega Scale railway, plans are afoot for upgrades and improvements. A fitting past-time for years end. And, where I am at, the weather is significantly colder. Good to have indoor activities. Your omscaler is busily biting off more than he can chew. Whatever. We will chew harder and faster. Again, fun, fun. That's we are all about here at OSR, fun. Have fun readers and be safe as you crank up for Christmas and New Year's. omscaler

Label: Heading toward year's end

Wow! We are already at November's last week. Thanksgiving time is here. It seems like the year has blown by. Traditionally, many people would have a model train running under the old Christmas tree. I like this time of year. However, many people do not have happy memories at this time. Sometimes, family problems are inadvertently highlighted. Often by strife, want or family problems in general. We here at The Omega Scale Railway are mindful of this. Hopefully, you faithful reader, will think about this as well. Even if you are one who is not so happy at the holiday season. We all can feel better by being generous or a help to those who may be in need. Your friend year round, omscaler

Label: Freight house going up

     A new freight house is being constructed for The Omega Scale Railway. This effort is our very first structure for the OSR and we are excited to relate this to our reading public. As a matter of note, the small town train station was a major hub of activity in a bygone era. The romantic allure and atmosphere of this public place is not now understood or appreciated. However, movies from that time period often include this place as an exciting starting place for the stories they portrayed. And in real life, the excitement was palpable. The passenger's comings and goings were the stuff of real life drama. Especially for small town America. As an adjunct to the station's passengers, freight and parcels were coming and going as well. Sometimes the freight activities were right in the next room. Often they were in their own special building. Hence, our construction efforts. And, for very small towns, passengers left from the freight house. The freight agent being the ticket agent as well. ALL ABOAARD!, omscaler