It's almost Halloween, am I being haunted?

Yes it's time for spooks, goblins, wraiths and monsters. As I write this, the dread day is fast approaching. I know the readers of this blog will see this after the fact. This will work in the reader's favor. Helping to keep them safe from aforementioned hazards and all. But the question remains, is The Omega Scale Railway haunted? I am beginning to wonder. I have had several occurrences of equipment failure that seemed monstrous in retrospect. Particularly, repairing the damaged places on the rolling stock. Nevertheless, we persist. I wonder if the failure is indicative of an opportunity to learn better construction methods? I have upgraded assembly components for this purpose. As for the previous remark, readers seeing this post after Halloween will realize that the fact they are seeing this after Halloween means that they have survived another year. A cause celebre` no doubt. Presently I have finished the needed repairs and will start on the next project. I will keep doors and windows locked October 31^st and hunker down to wait for the witching hour. (Creeeak...) What was that! Yours trepidatiously, omscaler

Ahh, Fall at last

If you are like me, you are ready for less humidity and more sunshine. The weather is great as I write this. This is the kind of day a locomotive engineer would enjoy. Soon leaves will turn and scenery will be more colorful. And now for a confession. Omscaler finds it hard to stay inside and work on days like this. A hike would be more appropriate. Oh well, it's either too hot or too cold, too dry or too wet. Human nature. I bet this is a good day for a hike on an old railbed. There are a few around. It's all about balance. We shall see. The work on The Omega Scale Railway continues. Albeit with some distraction. Until next week, omscaler

A little music please   

Yes, back in the old days vaudeville performances, at the conclusion the conclusion of an act, the performer might say to the conductor, “Maestro, a little traveling music please”. So now we can travel better to other sections of track, typically called a siding. Whew, the battle wasn't long, but it was intense. You're right, I am being dramatic. But anyway, we got it. As again. Onward and upward, omscaler

Quest for perfection?

Yes, dear readers, you now see omscaler's Achilles heel. “I want what I want.” one man said. Well, maybe it's not that bad. Or maybe it is. What I want is a reliable turnout. What is in place on the Murphysboro module does work, but not up to our usual standards. It now looks like more work is needed to produce the type of better operating turnout that should be the minimum standard. And that my dear reader is exactly what we will do. We do have a working idea and by the time readers catch the next blog post, we will have what we need. So, good luck to all out there who work to improve what they produce. Yours sincerely, omscaler

Captain Applesauce to the rescue

Yes, readers, Captain Applesauce is the name of the Apple Festival mascot. He presides over a number of festival relate activities. From the accounts I saw online, the festival was a great success again. Kudos to the folks in Murphysboro, Illinois. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, as they used to say. The Omega Scale Railway is making very slow progress. Some equipment needed a rework. Fortunately, the upgrade was indeed just that. Improved construction methods are being used or designed. I strongly dislike these delays but as I have related before, they will save time and trouble down the road. I must be diligent for all our sakes. See you next time, omscaler

Looking for a report

As previously mentioned, the big Apple Festival was recently held in Murphysboro, Illinois. I also stated that I would be unable to attend. I had hoped that blog readers would come forward and relate their experience at the festival. So far, no response. I am somewhat surprised. Given that this festival has such a storied history. Oh well, I will try to get some reports for next blog post. As far as The OSR is concerned, upgrades continue. Keeping you posted, omscaler

The Big Event

It's finally here! The big Apple Festival, Murphysboro, Illinois. A very historic family friendly event.

Unfortunately, omscaler was unable to get away. I can hardly wait for the media reports of this event. In the meantime, work on The Omega Scale Railway continues. Once again, slowly but surely. A little side note. Murphysboro back in the day was home to two milling companies. Two competing railroads served each one separately. That is the GM&O worked the one on 1^st Street, now 17^th Street. The IC was on the one by the renovated IC Depot. Now used by the Jackson County S.T.A.R.T., program. It's nice when old historic basically sound structures can be re-purposed. If you are at the Apple Festival make sure you check it out before you leave town. Back to the milling companies. Initially, grain was delivered by boxcars. Grain cars did not come into use until much later. Anyway, what they did was use “grain doors” inside the boxcar door way. These were wood and corrugated cardboard (boxboard back in the day). They came up part way leaving about a two foot gap to the top. The grain chute was place over the grain door and the grain loaded. Upon arrival, the door was crowbarred out and the grain spilled into a lower level augur to be uploaded into the milling storage bin, usually a massive structure. Now you know how the did it. See you next time, omscaler