Another Train Show under the belt

This past Saturday was the Coosa Valley Model Railroad Association 2^nd Annual Fall Train Show. Reportedly over one hundred dealers were set up to serve model railroaders. The permanent layout had many scenery improvements. There is still more to be done. It is a very large layout. However, the current work is of a very high quality. The next show will be in April. If readers could not attend this one, perhaps the Spring show? The Alto Pass module continues to be worked on. Until next post, omscaler

 

Layers done

As of this post writing, the base layers all are glued to the sub-layers. To inform readers, the modules are one twelve inch by eighteen inch module along with four six inch by six inch modules. The smaller modules will have curved track on them. This will form a loop of track. Alto Pass has one main track and one passing track and one short passing track. The shortest track was probably a helper “pocket” and short term storage. The next step will be to mark out the track and put in the sub-surface channels. Turnout equipment is needed as well. Just taking one step at a time, omscaler

 

A new discovery

As said before, the new Alto Pass module is underway. As omscaler was researching the GM&O South of Alto Pass, the town of Mountain Glen was noted. Also seen was a stub end turnout. The track appeared short in length. Further map research showed the town of Kaolin. Digging further revealed that historically, the town was the site of a kaolin mine. The information also stated that there was a track to Mountain Glen. This discovery will motivate omscaler to place a turnout and do some pickup of kaolin loaded boxcars originating at the mine. Always more fun on The Omega Scale Railway. Until next post, omscaler

 

Moving higher

Omscaler is happily working on new modules. Previously mentioned is the Alto Pass module. This module will contain straight sections of track. What is needed on each end is curved track. This will make a loop of track. Something not tried before on The Omega Scale Railway. The plan is to make two half curves for each end. The front of the largest module will portray Alto Pass around year 1946. The back of this module will be Shawnee Hills/ Eastern Ozark scenery. It has not been that long ago that omscaler learned that there was an Eastern Ozarks. The idea is that the hills will provide a view block. This is supposed to make the module appear larger than it is by hiding the loop of track. The reason the end curves will be half curves is to provide even more modularity which may be needed in the future. Happily building away, omscaler

 

Another one for the history books

Saturday morning at about 9:47 A.m., the last of four refrigerator cars was complete. This project marks another landmark effort for The Omega Scale Railway. This important railcar type brings closer the last of the types planned for The Very Small Railroad. Point of fact, only the stock car and the tank car types remain. However, the two gondolas and flat cars need a serious upgrade. Altogether, this shows how much there is yet to do here on the OSR. Currently, omscaler is laying out patterns for additional modules. One is planned to be Alto Pass, Illinois. The highest point on the entire GM&O. In steam days, helpers were always needed unless a very light train was moving through. Until the next post, omscaler

 

At the fifty-yard line

This post marks the completion of two of the four refrigerator cars that are planned. Since a better roof making method was used, the roof appearance is neater. Stirrup steps look better as well, but continue to be challenging to build. However, omscaler has had one of his “scathingly brilliant” ideas. We will see how this works for the remaining railcars. Pushing toward the goal, omscaler

 

Still creaking forward

As this post is being written, all that is needed to complete the first refrigerator car is six stirrup steps. As readers will note, normally there is a stirrup step at each car corner. Refrigerator cars came with one at each center door as well. Omscaler is using the last technique learned to make these as this will be a stirrup step closer to scale size. Moving toward completion, omscaler