Am I on safari?

Well, well, well. It seems that the hunt continues more. A few posts back, I described my quest for a laser paper cutter. My search revealed several issues. The system needs an exhaust component. Shipping alone is four hundred dollars. Software is needed at one hundred fifty to five hundred dollars. The base model laser engraver/cutter is on sale for about eight thousand dollars. Money can be saved by using an external exhaust unit, but a window is not in my work area. What to do? Maybe run a duct through the living room? As you may have noticed, costs are somewhat formidable. Also, you may recall one of the tenets of The Omega Scale Railway is that everything can be done inexpensively. Looks like I'm getting off track (pun intended). But there is a silver lining to this cloud. One of the entries I saw online was about using a CnC paper cutter to “prototype” before firing up the laser cutter. It seems that this method saves time and money. Aha, I thought. Now I will be investigating CnC paper cutting. The hunt still continues

Good news!

Yes, we have a little progress report for you. The Murphysboro module rework is now around ninety to ninety- five percent complete. The road bed is all put in. we are laying ties and track. The turnouts are working. All good. Still got to get those flat cars going though. We need them to carry our scale ties and rails. See you on the next post. omscaler

Details abound

Yes, we are still looking into laser paper cutting. Yes, there are a lot of details. Yes, it seems that costs could skyrocket. Laser technology has come down. Just not completely to earth yet. What I checked into recently called for: the laser cutter (of course), an air ventilation system, drawing software. Optional: an equipment stand, air compressor, maybe a computer upgrade, maybe a new computer, maybe something else. I feel I leave out some things. Yikes! Yes, it seems simplicity may have been left behind. But, the digging continues, omscaler

Change is coming

Yep, that's right. Change they say is inevitable. And so it is. The clock is ticking. Hopefully, the plans for The Omega Scale Railway will begin to accelerate. Much is needed. I recently read that growth is caused by change but not all change is good. Sounds like a time for a little caution. Sometimes the work here is slow but I am always guided by a vision of equipment that looks realistic and has a quality appearance. I sometimes visualize this almost constantly when I am thinking about The OSR. The vision of sharp looking locomotives and cars drives me forward. I am working through the change. See you next time, omscaler

The search continues

Last post I mentioned I was looking at laser paper cutting. So far, I have located two distributors, located in Atlanta and Chattanooga. Wow, why can't things be simple? Also, how much power do these things use? How noisy? Are there fumes? What about service? Questions abound. Anyway, work on the railroad continues. There is nothing like a well thought out design. Almost finished with the Murphysboro module redo. However, the sunny outdoors beckon. Resist temptation, I must, to paraphrase Yoda. Steadfastly, omscaler

Back tracking?

Hello again blog readers. Last blog post was about the model train show in Gadsden, Alabama. I mentioned just a few of the highlights. One thing I did was have a lengthy discussion with a gentleman operating a very well done Z scale layout. Just for your information, he had a Japanese high speed train painted in the actual colors of the real train. And guess what? The train colors were in the format of...drum roll...”Hello Kitty”. That's right, both inside and out. It seems the Japanese people really like Hello Kitty. Also, this person showed me a laser cut building kit from Germany if I recall correctly. This got me thinking. What if I could do some things on The Omega Scale Railway with laser cut items? One on hand, our philosophy is everything is doable with simple tools and supplies. On the other hand, realism is an admirable goal. What a conflict! It looks like omscaler will be researching newer technology in the near future. Anyone have any input on laser cut paper? See you next time, omscaler

Uh Oh! I goofed!

Last post I stated that the Coosa Valley Model Railroad Association Show was at 125 Locust Street in Gadsden, Alabama. The correct address is 210 Locust Street. The venue there is called 210 @ The Tracks. I apologize if my error has caused anyone a problem. The tracks are in fact straight out the front door near the middle of the street. The eastbound tracks cross the Coosa River on the old swing bridge. The bridge is stationary now. It used to open for river steamboats. The old depot is near the bridge and is now, I believe an office. To give a little report on the show itself, it was well done. Some vendor tables were unused. Some great layouts were operating. A lot of vintage collectibles were available. Other things were for sale as well, including pre-made modules. Some of the technology used on various layouts was cutting edge. I met some really interesting people.  I really enjoyed the trip. And as a final icing on the cake, I did visit the falls and drove a little bit on one of the country roads on top of Lookout Mountain. Back safe and sound, omscaler