Wheel after wheel

Let’s see, two coaches, eight wheels each, sixteen. One baggage car, eight wheels. One diner, twelve wheels. One sleeper, twelve wheels. That’s a lot of wheels. They all had to be made, naturally. Total: forty-eight. Fortunately, about ten were already in back-stock. Omscaler will take all the breaks available. These are installed on trucks and side frames are done as well. Next should be installing trucks to center beam/coupler units. A working plan is in place for this. Then will come passenger car floor, body and roof assemblies. Omscaler is looking forward to the next steps. Passenger car building bound, omscaler

 

What’s taking so long?

Well, a number of things. As I write this post, I have just returned from a long drive out in the beautiful sunshine on this fine Fall day. Not too productive but very energizing. A stop was made at a train watching spot in the next town over where a very long intermodal and regular freight train was observed. Then after visiting downtown Birmingham, the return home. As far as the passenger cars, center beams are mounted on all five cars. It was determined that fifty-two wheels would be needed with only ten already made. So, the rest were made. Now we need passenger truck side frames. Two of one length and the rest in varying lengths. After this, window mounting. Maybe car floors next? Continuing the good work, omscaler

 

Moving passenger cars along

Before we begin this week's post, let me put in an aside. This past Saturday was the Fall Smokey City Rails Train Show in Helena, Alabama. Omscaler really enjoyed this show. As a point in fact, the last one was not attended. So this may have made the experience more enjoyable. Saw a number of folks that I had not seen in a while. A notable appearance was made by the Redstone Model Railroad Club of Huntsville, Alabama. Their modules were very crisp and well made. The Smokey City folks will have another show in February just to give readers a heads up. As far as the passenger cars go, window inserts have been cut out and are ready to install. Many running gear parts are also ready. Truck sides and wheel attachment are next. We are slowly nearing completion. Still moving along, omscaler

 

Did I say doors?

Yes. We had good progress on passenger car building. Reporting marks. Car numbers. All ready for car side doors. Omscaler was getting ready to take care of business when to his horror, a glaring omission was detected. Not enough room was allowed to make door openings. “How did this happen?”, readers may wonder. Omscaler thinks that due to trying to make cuts for the prototypical number of windows, the allowed room was exceeded. Nothing for it but to go back and redesign the car sides. Make a new set of reporting marks and get it right. So that is what we did. After redoing the work, center beams were cut. And still more to be done, omscaler

 

Doors and floors

 As usual, omscaler has put up another cryptic remark. But don’t worry dear reader. I will explain. So far, last week showed good progress on the passenger car project. Reporting marks (railroad name) and car numbers were applied to each car. Next will be door installation and then putting sides on floors will be done. However, a side journey into running gear building may be done before floors. We shall see, omscaler

 

A complete standstill!

Yep. Looks like work was halted. Let me explain. Last Monday omscaler left town for the beach. The occasion was to attend the vows and ring exchange of my daughter and her intended. This ceremony took place on the beach at Gulf Shores, Alabama. And, omscaler “hisself” was the “officiant”. Omscaler had never done this before so there was a significant amount of practice beforehand. All went well. This was a driving trip so some site seeing stops were made. On the way in, I stopped and got some pics of the Bay Minette depot some of which included a grown grandson. On the way back, pics were made of the Foley, Alabama, depot and train display (real equipment). Now, it is time to get back to the passenger car project and other projects as well. Elated traveler, omscaler

 

Hooray for us!

Omscaler is happy to report that all heavyweight car sides have been successfully cut. There were some initial glitches due to still being a new operator of the hobby laser. I have had the laser a long time but don’t use it very often. This past weekend saw omscaler making up a large batch of couplers. We are thinking of adding some more before moving on to the passenger car running gear and underframes. Then onward and upward to the roofs. That is unless omscaler changes the order of things. You never know. Fabricating more coupler hooks, Etc. Omscaler