Label: Jus' walkin' down the street    

This week we look at some more details about the current project. Besides railroad track, we are also working on streets. The streets back in the day were simply dirt or chert or clay or sand or crushed sea shell. In Murphysboro, after the initial dirt or clay streets, the city laid down paving brick. That is correct, brick. Similar to what is used in house construction. The bricks were made in a brick plant located south east of town. The company made bricks for many municipalities all over the United States. And as you might surmise, after the advent of Macadam roads (asphalt), the company became less important and eventually closed. What this means for the Omega Scale module of said town is that we had the need to ascertain what tones and colors are needed to simulate a paving brick road. Should we indicate each and every brick. Oh no! We ain't gonna do that! We think that would take forever! So what we decided was to use a textured surface with a variation in tones. So far, so good. Yours again, a relieved omscaler

Label: A little update.

This week's post is just a small update on progress. We did complete the preliminary prep work and also we did get the grade crossings installed. I am working late on this part as I write this just having installed the aforementioned grade crossings. Next is the roadbed and track proper. Until next week. Staying busy, omscaler

Label: Oops! Correction to follow.

Well, it seems that I must correct myself. Last post, I related that I was working on grade crossings. I averred that three were needed. I now wish I was correct. What I should have stated was that three would be needed on the main line through town. We are good there. Now that I am working on sidings and a freight yard, some more are needed. Also, turnouts, also called switches are proliferating. I realize that patience is called for. But at least the work is relaxing and somewhat fun. That's what it's all about. Until next time, an industrious omscaler

Label: Slowly but surely redux

On my last post, I related that the main roadbed through Murphysboro had been laid out. At this point I am working on grade crossings. These are the points where roads and streets cross the railroad proper. I decided that it would be a good idea to do these first. There will be three on the module. They will be composed of creosoted wood boards of a hefty size and of course the rails. This was and sometimes is still a common practice. Then, the rest of the right of way will be put down. Until next time, omscaler

Label: Serendipity, that's the word.

As previously related, I am working on a town named Murphysboro. Located in southern Illinois. It is situated in an area known as the Shawnee Hills, actually the Eastern Ozarks. What is less commonly known is Murphysboro was the unlucky participant in the Tri-state tornado of 1925. The storm was one mile wide. Its effects were deadly. Thirty-five people killed when a roof came down at the M&O shops. Also, five hundred injured here as well.  A school was struck and children were killed and injured. After-math photographs show wrecked houses and buildings. The place looked like a war zone. A tragic time. The M&O passenger station was not damaged. The old roundhouse is now a printing business. Still, I was hoping to find some good pictures of the roundhouse. I looked and looked online. Many were there. None were what you would call a close up. Still, what I saw gave me hope. I felt like I could get the job done. I could not find any with the turntable showing. It is long gone. However, and this is what gave me hope, I did find an old aerial picture of the roundhouse with what looks like the turntable. The picture is grainy. But still, Serendipity! I think this will help me get the measurements I need. As a last note, the main roadbed through town has been started just a few minutes ago. Til next time, a once again elated, omscaler

Label: Module has begun!

Yes, the long awaited first module has been started. As previously stated, this module will be a partial section of Murphysboro, Illinois. A once important hub of the old Mobile and Ohio Railroad. Then later, the Gulf Mobile and Ohio Railroad. Designing the module has been very challenging. I must admit. But the reward outweighs the difficulties. The hardest part was determining what to include and what to leave out. A scale Omega Scale mile is thirteen and three quarter feet long. The section of downtown Murphysboro I was looking at was just over ninety percent of a mile in length. The old railroad shop area was several blocks wide and even more in length. I am going to use a module size of three feet by one foot. This situation mandated eliminating and rearranging actual physical elements of the actual town. Model railroaders call this “selective compression”. My goal is to capture the flavor of this location. I believe it can be done. Until next time, omscaler

Label: Good old summertime

Well, hot and humid weather is upon us. It seems like I stay in more in the summer than in the winter. As previously mentioned, I have decided to model Murphysboro, Illinois. The town having a connection with the GM&O railroad and an apple festival and all. It seems that the folks in the Shawnee Hills area would have cooler summers as well. Maybe I should research on location by living there? Maybe not! I heard on the radio that the government in that state (maybe just Chicago) was going to raise property taxes so high that no one could leave because no one would by their home. Sounds like they are being railroaded to me. Another pun, I know. Well, hot or no, I will move forward with plans now made. Apparently not permanently in Illinois though. Yours again, an unusually political omscaler