Still laying the groundwork

Omscaler continues building sub layer roadbed support. One thing that took place last week was redesigning the standard turnout. The old turnout length was three inches. The new turnout length is one inch. This was necessitated due to the planning of an interchange track. This track area caused the main yard area to be shifted to the North. The old turnout length was found to be problematic in not allowing enough room for usable straight track sections. In other words a cramped condition was created. Initial testing of the new turnout was done at the South end of the interchange track. Although this was successful, yard turnouts have yet to be installed and tested. The geometry in the yard area is more acute and may yet cause problems. Keeping fingers crossed, omscaler

 

Implementing new ideas

As this post is written, the building of the Union City module is well underway. Not to be trite but the method of construction of the top layer is being done in a modular way. The main drive channel sections are being built as one half or three eighths inch wide sections. The length varies according to the need. After this, main terrain sections will be installed. The number of turnouts needed for this module is a record twelve. Sounds small but, trust me, it gets bigger as you begin building. Still, the newest turnout building method will help. The a fore mentioned PS-1 boxcar project has turned out well and more car diagrams have been included in the laser project file. All in all, things have gotten very busy on The Very Small Railroad. Onward and upward. Or is it downward? Onward and littler? You pick one. Until next post, omscaler

 

Where are we headed?

Now that the Hull house is complete, the next phase of The Very Small Railroad will start. Specifically, the sub-roadbed building will start. This is on the new Union City module. An idea for an improved PS 1 boxcar has been implemented as far as the basic car diagram is concerned. This improvement will go hand in hand with the overall railcar upgrades being planned. Unfortunately, omscaler can only do one thing at a time so we will just move forward one thing at a time. This is not to say that work on one project will be halted in order to work on another. Sometimes inspiration strikes. Still inspired, omscaler

 

Repro post

 Well, the big day finally arrived. Last Thursday the Hull house was completed and installed on the module. I have to say this has been the most challenging build I have done. It was supposed to have been started in February. The more time it took, the more I seemed to have to do. If one looks closely at the pics, lines that are supposed to be parallel are not. Angles that should be right angles are not. If I seem to be satisfied overall, I am not. However, on the plus side, this is another landmark project for the Very Small Railroad. The William Hull house actually exists in Murphysboro, Illinois. The home is an asymmetrical, Italianate style building. Formerly a bed and breakfast, it is now believed to be a private residence. I have never seen a roof like this one. I hope I never get the urge to build one like it again. The real house has much more exterior decoration. One each upper and lower windows were left off by accident. The actual roof is very dark gray. We did learn a more precise way to use the hobby laser as evidenced by the porch railing and “wrought iron” front fence. The direction the house faces may be changed in time. Where to next? The Union City, Tennessee module beckons. Gearing up for the next phase, omscaler

 

Note to readers: This post in large part is a duplicate post that was entered on the TrainBoard forum last Friday. Omscaler posts there under the name gmorider.

 

 

Is the project growing?

Omscaler has noticed something always happens. As projects are being worked on the timeline for completion somehow automatically expands. The the Hull house project for example. Omscaler keeps thinking, “If I do one more step then the project will be complete”. The next thing I know, I am thinking “It would be good to make this addition”. And so it is with the Hull house. Right now the house proper is complete. The porches are done. The family has moved in. So what is the hold up? As it turns out, omscaler has decided to add a front fence. It is a challenge to make a wrought iron type fence in this scale. Therefore a compromise will be used. Ya’ gotta’ do whatcha’ gotta’ do. It is expected that the last part of this project will be completed by the end of the week. With much anticipation, omscaler

 

Happy Fourth and happy Omscaler

 Happy Fourth of July to all the blog readers. Omscaler is happy to report that much progress has been made. However, we are not quite there yet. The front porch roof is complete but not installed. The porch railing is installed but may be removed and redesigned. The reason for this is that omscaler accidentally discovered a better way to use the hobby laser to more precisely make parts. A side project was started involving stock car sides and ends using the new method. Results are promising but need some adjustments. Experience gained with this should help all laser cut projects going forward. Omscaler is very happy with this new approach. Also, the previously mentioned foot ailment is practically healed up as well. Have a great holiday, omscaler

 

Trudging along

Omscaler has had to move very slowly, literally. What happened was a few weeks ago omscaler sustained an injury to the left foot. Walking was so uncomfortable that a lot of pressure was put on the right foot. At one point, both feet were problematic. However, the left foot returned to normal while the right one worsened. As this post is written, the right foot is almost well but not quite. During the time period omscaler was asked to repair some bicycles for neighborhood kids. Due to the discomfort, work was slow. For the same reasons The Omega Scale Railway project languished. At this point, the front porch roof is being worked on. Due to this being a Mansard type roof, design and installation is slow. We do have a working plan though and hope to finish the week of this post. Getting back to normal, omscaler