“Okay, you are probably saying to yourself, the label is “The Graphics Project”, I thought The Omega Scale Railway is the project?” Well, you are correct. As I thought, The Omega Scale Railway project is actually a very large project. So big in fact, that many other projects are required to build the main project. Which brings me to the above stated label. I went by a print shop to discuss what I was trying to accomplish. As mentioned in an earlier post, the printer said that printing in the size require would be no problem. Great! I thought. Let's move forward. So I prepared a rough sample for discussion purposes. Took the same to the printer. The printer said it looked like I needed lettering on the side of the railcars. Yep, I said. That's right. He said that white letter would be created by printing color around the letters. In other words, the white color of the paper would be the color of the letters. Considering the amount of color needed I said I would think about reworking the lettering. At this point, I have developed “plan B”. I am taking this new sample to the printer for discussion and will update here with the results. Til then, omscaler

The Mikado, sounds Asian doesn't it? It is in fact the native word for the Emperor of ancient Japan. So when in the 1930's (date uncertain), the government of Japan ordered some locomotives from an American builder, the builder named the new locomotives “Mikado”. The order was in fact canceled. The design itself was the most advanced for its time. The Mikados soon proved their worth and became ubiquitous on most railroads. They were affectionately known as “Mikes”. And so it is with this history in mind that the decision was made to include this powerful industrial workhorse on The Omega Scale Railway. This project is of course waiting in the wings for the appearance of the hopefully soon to be completed Shifter. More on that as it happens. So long for now, omscaler

Last week's activities illustrate the same principle by which children come to be in the world. One thing leads to another. To wit, after visiting the Gadsden Train Show, referred to previously, I was “inspired” to construct an N scale “module”. The “module” is basically, at this point, a 30'' by 60'' table without legs. I did get 'er done so to speak. As a nod to procrastination, I have had the hardware on hand for perhaps one or two years! Anyway, back to the module. I went to the building supply store with my trusty specialized tool I made from instructions in the ultra lightweight layout article I read in N Scale magazine. I picked out two pieces of light blue ¾'' extruded foam 4'x8' panels and began figuring out how I was going to cut the pieces small enough to fit in my Japanese car. I put it on the stores panel saw frame and a clerk with a customer come up immediately to use the saw frame. He said, “we don't cut that”. I said, “I am going to cut it myself”. But I still decided to move to an area less traveled. I found an out of the way place on a stack of boards. Some customers came up immediately and said they needed some of those boards. I said, “no problem”. They got their boards and then offered to help me cut the blue foam. This was a huge help. If not for this, I would still be there. We all need good neighbors! When I built the module I was very sore the next day. How could I be so sore from using a utility knife blade on foam? I must really be out of shape! Next, legs for the module. Also, back to The Omega Scale Railway. We are now building the locomotive tender. We still need to look at car movement and behavior on this scale of track. We are also in talks with a printer to see about developing a “kit” for the railway equipment. He said printing in this scale would be no problem! Wow, that was interesting. See you next time, omscaler