Different folks, different views

Last Saturday I stopped in to the local model railroad club to say hello to a friend. As we were sitting there watching the (model) trains go by the subject turned to rolling stock. We were watching some modern equipment roll by on the layout and the remark was made about how long modern equipment can be. The friend said that some modern types were too long to negotiate certain curves on his home layout. I mentioned that my modeling goals were centered around the late nineteen forties steam to diesel transition era. This choice gave me the leeway to model thirty-eight foot boxcars and refrigerator cars. I could include outside wood braced boxcars in regular service. The hopper types were twin bay cars of thirty-four foot length. I confessed I had to fudge a little bit to allow “Ike” type wood rack cars due to their later manufacture, but that is another story. Getting back to current model railroading. Today’s modeler will often get some very colorful high horse-powered locomotives and likewise colorful rail cars. To each their own. I appreciate what I see being used and often find it interesting even if I have no plans to utilize the same at home. As someone paraphrased, “Model railroad variety is the spice of life”! I hope readers will leave a comment or more about their own preferences and why they like it. See you along the right of way. Omscaler

 

More trains

As I was preparing to write this blog post by brewing up some green tea, I heard the sound of a train horn. I live in a small town dominated by the railroad tracks. Two sets in fact. This is actually music to the ears of someone like me. However, a few weeks ago, about 1:00 a.m. I heard a train horn. Moving up the grade into town. Then in a little while (after falling back asleep) I heard another. Then another. Then later some more. Later that morning, you guessed it! Another train. It seemed like the whole railroad world had woken up and decided to come through my town. I have not noticed the same frequency since. Last post we were writing about someone asking me “Why so many trains?” I wish I had someone to ask that question of now myself. “Why so many trains?” ”Why so early in the morning?” I may never know. Back to The Omega Scale Railway. As of this post we are working on window framing and how to fabricate it. It is a slow process but we want something that looks as sharp as we can make it. Still being diligent, omscaler

 

Why so many trains?

Recently, I was asked this question by someone who had to contend with stopping at a rail crossing until the train passed. This had to potential of happening every work day. I explained that the area was home to a number of cement plants and limestone quarries. Also, there were other industries in the area. Overall a very busy railroad place. Has been so for almost a century. Fortunately, the person was able to use another route after a little exploration which limited the problem somewhat. I myself usually enjoy watching trains go by and consider myself lucky when I see one. One man’s bread and butter and so forth. Anyway, omscaler is still working on the Hamilton House. Also, fighting the sunshine too. Yours not hardly distracted, omscaler

 

Back in the day

Yep. More reminiscing. Once upon a time the little burg of Murphysboro Illinois was the de facto headquarters of the Mobile and Ohio Railroad. All activity was directed from the depot. This was actually a big comeback for the railroad after being destroyed during the “late misunderstanding” (American Civil War). But progress was indeed made and the railroad became prosperous. Competition was stiff but persistence paid off. Time passed and railroads were getting larger or perhaps getting out. Chicago was the big lure for carriers and in year 1946 the Mobile and Ohio was joined with the Gulf,Mobile and Northern to step onto the industrial stage as the Gulf, Mobile and Ohio. Chicago was indeed reached and goods began to flow into and out of the Windy City. When the banana boats docked at the Port of Mobile, Chicagoans could count on fresh fruit in a very short time. Coal from Illinois might make its way to South America. Busy times for busy people. The GM&O was so successful among travelers, shippers and employees that the good reputation of the road lasted and was lamented long after it ceased to exist. Funny how life happens sometimes. Still keeping the dream alive and thanks for stopping and reading. Omscaler

 

Fighting the weather

Yes, omscaler has been fighting the weather. The weather here has been sunny with clear blue skies and somewhat balmy. Readers may wonder about fighting the weather under these conditions. The problem is that omscaler has developed “Spring Fever”. And a pretty severe case too. Symptoms include sitting on the porch and looking at the sky. Going for drives in the country. Going to the park and walking. And lately, weeding a flower bed. Thankfully, there several at hand to week. Also, sitting inside and just thinking about going outside. Perceptive readers will notice that these activities had no mention of working on The Very Small Railroad. This is because no work has been done on The Very Small Railroad. However, good news is at hand. The symptoms are subsiding and omscaler is beginning to feel more normal. Thank you for your patience and understanding. Returning to diligence, omscaler

 

Where did they stay?

 As blog readers know, The Omega Scale Railway town on Murphysboro will be receiving a hotel in the near future. This building is for short term stays primarily. Some guests may stay longer but the better part of long term stays were arranged at boarding houses. The usual terms were in fact room and board. This means a room for sleeping and three meals a day at the dining room table. Fare was often delicious but not for the calorie conscious. Such boarding houses were operated as for men only or women only. The one near the passenger depot catered to railroaders and was located just a short walk east. There were probably a number of other boarding houses but the hotel and the boarding house referred to were the only ones omscaler saw on the Sanborn fire map. At any rate a little information is better than none. Still working on the building, omscaler

 

Another opinion

Sometime ago I was visiting a local model railroad club. This club is over thirty years old I believe. The subject of modules came up. I had remarked that the sections of the layout were heavily built. The person I was speaking with said that indeed they were. The modules were in fact hard for the older members to handle well, being so heavy. This contrasts with an article I have in an old magazine I got at a train show years ago. This periodical covers N scale exclusively. In this issue the article in question explained how to make a module in a box beam configuration. The material used is expanded foam, not to be confused with the white bead foam. I decided to make one of these box beam modules a few years ago and it now resides in the walk-in closet. Neatly out of the way. The only wood is used for the legs and two end panels on the box beam. I can carry it on my head if I so choose to do so. It is very strong in spite of the light weight. During the above mentioned conversation, I suggested simply leaving the old layout in place and construct a “show layout” to transport to train shows. The idea being using newer methods to build, these being lighter. So far, no changes have taken place but in the future, who knows? As readers of this blog know, The Very Small Railroad has a transport box which was used to visit a show last Fall. Such simplicity was sublime! I am a big proponent of modularity. I know the idea has caught on in may instances. Hoping for model railroad progress, omscaler