More serendipity!

First the clouds, then then the silver lining. While omscaler was checking supplies for confirming inventory levels (shuffling through cardstock), two different types used for track components was discovered. There should only be one type used for this. What is specified is 110# smooth (business card) stock. What was discovered was “Vellum” 110# cardstock. What happens when you use Vellum is that Vellum is not as smooth as 110# smooth. The rougher texture somehow acts a little like a sponge when glued. The results seem to be drying out at a thicker profile. This explains some strange equipment performance on the track in the affected areas. On closer inspection, the appearance at the central gap is odd as well. How did this happen? Omscaler suspects that he may have “asked” for Vellum by mistake. It seems like I got 110# smooth almost by chance during a later purchase. Or, and this is a big “or”, the sales person gave me the wrong stuff. We may never know. As a result of the discovery of the problem, omscaler decided to source some additional stock at an office supply store. We checked the price of a full pack. $17.99 plus tax. We asked about single sheet price. $0.81 per sheet plus tax was the response. Since we had some of the correct material on hand, omscaler decided to think about it and research some more. My subsequent stop was at a craft store. I went to the art supply aisle and began looking. What attracted my attention was Bristol 100# smooth. I decided to make a design change right there on the fly. When I returned to my lair, excuse me, craft studio area of my apartment, I compared the thickness of the new cardstock to the thickness of a measuring gauge I use to correctly mount running equipment on railcars. What I found was that they were apparently equal. It was almost like the problem corrected itself. Serendipity! Now, all I have to do is replace all the current trackage. But, you know what? Well, we will explain that next post. Jumping for joy, omscaler

Upgrading the equipment

Omscaler is currently upgrading rolling stock. Firstly, a truck redesign was called for to improve performance. Omscaler did not like what he saw in the day to day performance. Both appearance and behavior needed improvement. But, we are getting it done! Also, another “secret” project is being researched. If this happens it will be a step forward, though perhaps not a real big step. We will see what happens. I remain optimistic. In another project idea, omscaler is researching “Pullman” green. Reader input on this is welcome. Working away, omscaler

Back chirping along

Yes it is good to have basic power back at work. We did run a little behind as was warned in the previous post. I did have some explaining to do to the “Punctuality Police”. Also, a minor repair was called for when a coupler pocket failed. We beefed it up and got back in business. Just another day for omscaler. As noted before, rolling stock is back in the shop for upgrades. Hopefully, this will not take too long. Part of my brain is crying out for a 2-6-0 Mogul locomotive. Another part of my brain is calling for a least two cabooses. I think I will listen to my brain. Still thinking, omscaler

Power back to work 

As of this post, the rebuilt shifter should be back on duty. I say should be because this particular piece of effort has indeed been an effort. What omscaler found out was the conflation of two different equipment diagrams. This problem was seen in the last shifter having an “air borne” boiler appearance. It was not too bad but it was noticeable. The hashing out of the discrepancy added more time to the project. The good news is that the problem was discovered and remedied. What is next? Omscaler wants to do an outside braced wood boxcar for a new project. What is needed is a dual purpose road engine and one or more cabooses. More than half a dozen boxcars are in the shop for upgraded running gear. You pick your mark and you start. I hope next post shows much progress on all counts. Omscaler

Working the work

As omscaler mentioned in the last post, the shifter is in the shop for a rebuild. This effort may represent a leap in equipment operation and appearance of a somewhat major scale. Omscaler has used new and innovative techniques to improve the switching locomotive. However, and this is a big however, to do this requires as many components as possible to be rethought and often redesigned. This redesign is almost literally top to bottom. As demonstrated by the tender results, the effort is well worth it. On the other hand, the process is very slow relatively speaking. But as omscaler has said before, “we’ll get ‘er done”. And we will. Omscaler

The Train Show

Yep, April eleventh was supposed to be the annual Coosa Valley Modeler’s Train Show. This show is over thirty years old. The Statement online at the social media site said the city government was not going to allow the show to take place. Well, your old omscaler had a thought about the situation. Albeit a late thought. It occurred to us about Thursday evening before the show, or was it Friday? Anyway, the plan was to enlist the aid of a relative, engage a pickup truck. The next part of said plan was to break into The Gadsden Museum of Art where the model railroad club’s layout is stored. Dismantle said layout. Load and transport the layout to the 210 @ the Tracks venue. Break into the venue and reassemble the layout. As far as I can tell, we would have only committed four felony offenses! We would have charged extra of course to cover our efforts and potential legal expenses. Brilliant plan, huh? It was too bad that omscaler was late to the gate on this operation. We could have saved the whole show! Back to the present. At this point the tender rebuild has been completed and the actual locomotive rework is under way. The new tender does show improved appearance if omscaler says so himself. I am looking forward to posting pictures of the latest effort. Yours diligently and legally, omscaler

The reshopping

What is taking place on The Very Small Railroad at this time is the reworking of the 0-6-0 shifter (switcher). This locomotive has been reworked before. The issues were: the rework actually did some more damage, the retainers as well as the retainer shoes were hybridized during the previous work. The locomotive needed to be upgraded to the new G6 combined coupler/retainer pin configuration. So, as of this post, we are building a new tender with the aforementioned upgrade included where applicable. Also, the old tender had some damage for the same reasons as the locomotive. The design of both tender and locomotive will sport some improvements too. This project is moving at a snail’s pace so that the best job possible can be accomplished with some procrastination thrown in for good measure. Inching along, omscaler