Speaking of Layouts

Just a little more about layouts and some exciting news. Hopefully last post got everybody at least a little curious about model train layouts. I have great news. People the the southeastern corner of the United States will soon have an opportunity to view some layouts if they have not seen one up close and personal. What this blog writer is talking about is the Winter Train Show at the Helena Sports Complex, Helena, Alabama. The last time I went there were indeed layouts to be seen. All good stuff. This is a great mid winter family venue due to the presence of a number of vendors being there as well. These vendors often have things on display for all ages. The dates: Friday, February 28^th, 4 P.M.- 8 P.M. Saturday, 9 A.M. - 3 P.M. There is an admission charge. I hope to see everyone there, omscaler

Layouts? What is a layout?

One of our readers recently contacted me by non blog channels. He remarked about one of the “firsts” I had referred to in the previous blog post. He is busy working on his model railway. It is a set up we commonly call a “layout” . I have seen a number of layouts both in person, in magazines, and online. The work is often spectacular and almost approaches “art”. I was thinking about what makes a really great layout. There are usually a number of salient characteristics. The trains run well. There are usually a number of turnouts. Plenty of railcars. Often, the layout is equipped with sound. Sometimes the sound is in cars but now more commonly in the locomotives themselves. Also, there is ambient sound. Waterfalls, cattle mooing, diner/nightclub music and more. Animation is present as well. Besideds railway equipment there is vehicle movement, boat movement, factory movement and still more. But again I ponder what makes a great layout? What characteristic seems to be the pinnacle characteristic of a layout? If you study any layout that facscinates you, I believe one feature always stands out. That feature is “realism”. The viewer feels like they are gazing upon a miniature world. A world very much like their own or like their grandparents world. A world so realistic they wish they could become small and get in it! What makes this miniature world so realistic? Usually the viewer will see lots of scale people. These people are going about, seemingly, daily activites. Ballgames, street repair crews, travellers, commuters and so on. Also, look at the railcars. Do they look like they sport factory fresh paint? No, they look somewhat grimy. The buildings also look weathered as well. Where do these features live? They live among foliage. Trees, bushes, grass, cattails, rocks, hills and ridges. If you, the reader, attend a train show and see something that grips your attention, please give a nod to those whose work has culminated in the effect you enjoy. Still enjoying the OSR, omscaler

Happy Anniversary!

Yes, Happy Anniversary! To who? To us! This is the third anniversary of The Omega Scale Railway blog. You, the readers, and I the erstwhile blogger have kept at it and here we are. What a great milestone! The actual start date was in fact February 14^th. This post is about three days early. Better early than late, eh? I was thinking how the OSR began as a germ of an idea. Then after a number of years, things began to come together, literally. In a previous post I recounted how the blog got its name. Omega Scale was coined by a Model Railroader editor in the April, 1982 edition as a comment at the end of a contributor’s article about his 1/384 scale model railroad. Since 2015, omscaler has worked seriously to bring the vision to fruition. I also thought about the many ideas, projects and plans that were called for. Omscaler has built his own dual beam trammel compass to aid in large curve radii drawing. One of many “firsts”. As I think back, obstacle after obstacle was over come. Frankly, that has not changed even now. Although, they are not so many as before it seems like. At this point in time, this blogger is not even aware of any other 1/384 scale model railroader any where in the world. If you follow this blog, you and I are truly unique! Here’s to uniqueness! Long may we prevail! Still prevailing, omscaler

Well...not quite!

Last post I described getting back to building the passenger depot. I did in fact do a little double checking of measurements. However, a review of master priorities revealed that there was a chronic delay in elements of landscaping and related streets. So, without further delay, streets were laid in the town of Murphysboro. Next we will be getting dirty with a dirt lot for the railway shop area. Also on the list is lawns for the other town lots. As an additional note, the original streets in Murphysboro were made locally at a nearby clay pit. This means that all the old streets were constructed of paving brick. Other cities in the U.S., used this material as well. What this means is that the streets appear a somewhat deep red, even today. I hope that everyone did not celebrate too much over Ground Hogs Day. See you next time, omscaler

Traffic moving again

Yes. We are back in business. Last post I described the process I was in to move a turnout about forty feet south. I am very glad I got that done. The benefit that came out of all the effort was that the both the turnout construction method and the specifications got a much needed upgrade. Previously omscaler was like B. Gates, doing things “quick and dirty.” Too dirty as came to find out. I wonder if gates has this issue? So when i got the relocation done the result was the main line and the main passing siding/ yard lead were operational again. In reality, this is only a module. Currently, this module is the only module so the afore mentioned tracks just needed an upgrade. If omscaler had more modules the problem would have been more critical. As it was, the relocation delayed construction of the critical passenger station/ headquarters building. So as of this writing we are once again working on the depot. Thankfully yours, omscaler

Getting back to normal

Whew! Work is slowly getting back to normal. This post has been uploaded late. Some of this is due to an irregular schedule the past two weeks. Last week was occupied helping a relative move. There were some hiccups but all is now well. I had hoped to get the railroad running again before this point. The relocation of the problem turnouts (a pair were affected) revealed a need for a specification upgrade. In other words, a redesign of the turnouts. We are currently doing this as I write this post. Well, back to work. omscaler

Oh no! Shut down!

Yes readers. The Omega Scale Railway has been shut down! As readers know, The OSR is building a headquarters/passenger depot in Murphysboro. Upon beginning to prepare the site for the main platform it was discovered that the main turnout throw was located under the soon to be erected station porch awning. This placement created problems. One being that using the turnout sliding plate would require reaching under the porch. Another would be that the porch would likely be damaged if said turnout sliding plate needed maintenance. The decision was made to move the turnout about one inch south. This still puts the turnout location in the platform proper but with blue sky above, i.e., no obstructions. See, if omscaler may remind you, the fun is non-stop. The turnout connects to another turnout to let equipment pass from the main line to the main yard lead. Moving required uprooting both turnouts for this reason. Crossover turnouts always are in pairs. When this need was discovered, work immediately began on the relocation. In order to do this, no traffic can be allowed in either direction until work is complete. The dilemna was leave one and move one or bite the bullet and complete the relocation. Omscaler decided to hold or reroute traffic to another railroad. Toiling away, omscaler