Summit fever again!

Your erstwhile omscaler is nearing the completion of the final three covered hoppers in this group of railcars. By the time readers see this, they should be 100% complete. Part of the delay came from a vacation day last Tuesday. Traffic on this one was much better than the nightmare traffic experienced last trip. First stop after fuel was the tourist information stop at the Georgia state line (west). After the helpful staff confirmed that my planned route was low traffic and good roads, I left for breakfast at Villa Rica. Then omscaler drove to Cartersville to visit the historic passenger depot. After taking pics, I thought to myself, “I better go ahead and leave to get across the tracks before a train comes.” Lo and behold! As I was just about to get in the car, I heard a train horn from the north side of the area. I thought at this point to just wait and watch the train go by. This as it turned out later was a fortuitous decision. Omscaler then drove through the north side of Cartersville to the freeway. Next stop was Adairsville to get more pics of the depot which was historic and figured in the “Great Locomotive Chase” during the American Civil War. The downtown area is quite picturesque due to the Victorian architecture. Next, headed up the freeway to Dalton, home of carpets and railroads. The visitors center is located in the historic Dalton freight house. The track side loading dock is now a train watching platform. There is also a Southern passenger car on display. The helpful staff lady was kind to show me the television screen that looks out through one of the large windows. This screen receives input from the railroad. The screen has a diagram showing the actual real time signal conditions. All signal aspects were showing red the entire time I was there. Nothing moving. The only train I saw was indeed back at Cartersville. This freight house has an important museum inside. The displays demonstrate the founding of the textile industry here by a young woman. Humble beginnings to significant industry. Omscaler asked the staff person if the old passenger depot still existed. She said it did and game me directions. She also said it was a closed restaurant but the owner was planning to reopen. Turns out omscaler has been in this restaurant on a previous trip some years back. “Deja Vue all over again”. Omscaler knows this has been a long account but as the man said, “One more thing”. Next stop was Prater’s Mill. Interesting place. Mill, lint house(?), cotton gin, mill store, barn, Doctor’s office, six by ten feet(!), barn and...caboose. Tracks are not nearby to my knowledge. I guess the caboose is for a more widespread appeal. Train nuts being what they are. Thus this and the next late lunch stop ended this day trip. Refreshed and working, omscaler

 

New equipment on the property!

About 8:15, PM, Central Standard Time, a brand new thirty-four foot covered hopper was placed on the Murphysboro module. This is the first of four being produced. The reason this one was finished ahead of the others is that omscaler had a friend who wanted to see the railcar. This person had asked about it after we had shared our model railroad activities when I visited the local model railroad club. Since he was kind enough to ask to see the finished work, omscaler decided to push one to completion so as not to prolong his wait. Another reason the lone covered hopper was completed ahead of the others is that some innovative construction methods were being used. This improved the timing enough to go ahead and get it done. Some more improvements will be tried on the remaining three as well. Should not be too long now. Hastening the day, omscaler

 

Back on track

Yep. We have been busy working on the group of four covered hoppers. Right now we have roofs attached to sides, end sheets in place and two sets of center vertical supports in place as well as one set of car end frames. Omscaler has been able to develop a better way of attaching these parts which is naturally a big help. Still a lot more to do. This project is the most detailed car project to date. However sunny weather is beckoning us out doors. Temptation is dogging us. We will persevere. Shoulder to the wheel. Omscaler

 

 

We took the plunge!

Yes! We blasted out of town a few days ago and headed for the great outdoors. But not before we stopped at the Southeastern Railway Museum in Duluth, Georgia. And boy what an interesting(?) first leg of the trip. We left Leeds(AL) at a little after 7:00 a.m. We wanted to get fuel in east Oxford in case Georgia gas prices were higher. We did so and tried to get on the freeway. There were locations where fog was somewhat heavy everywhere on the road. Omscaler got gas went to the on ramp and noticed ten or more cars coming up the ramp. Still hazy with sleep I said to myself, “I did not notice this being a two lane road.” What my foggy brain did not realize was that cars had turned around on the ramp. The reason was that the freeway was now a parking lot. After a few moments of mental processing we decided to go to Hwy. 78 East. I guessed that super thick fog on Cheaha ridge had either stopped traffic or had resulted in an accident. After a few miles I was able to get back on the freeway. Smooth sailing all the way to Villa Rica and breakfast. Umm, umm, delicious! After this things got interesting. I had decided to try to go through downtown Atlanta to Get to Interstate 85 north. The last time I was on the 285, traffic was slow and heavy. This decision also turned out to let me experience traffic that was slow and heavy. I eventually got on 85N and drove on. After a few miles up I85, I looked over at the southbound side and noticed traffic was not moving. “How do people live like this?”, I wondered. Anyway, after trundling on for a while, I came to the Duluth exit that I wanted. I got info from the admission person and learned that the miniature train used to reside at the Jimmy Morgan Zoo in Birmingham. He said I could choose this train or the full size one that toured part of the grounds and shop. I told him I had already ridden the little train when I was a boy so I would take the big one. Sometimes things really do come full circle. What an interesting museum. Franklin D’s railcar, steam locomotives, an E8 streamliner and a lot more. I told the conductor I had accidentally climbed up the ladder to the E8. He said the door was locked. After the train ride, I showed the conductor and engineer my sample of an Omega Scale Railway boxcar that I carry around. They were appreciative and invited me to visit the inside of the locomotive that pulled the tour cars we had ridden. I am writing another thank you to these men for their courtesy and favor. Next, omscaler drove to Roswell for a visit to Blue Ox Model Trains. This store has an outstanding inventory! I have not seen this much model railroad inventory in years. After a brief chat and getting some directions (Don’t want to get lost. Do we?), I headed for I-575 north. And here omscaler experienced...wait for it...heavy traffic! After what was a long time, we were able to head to Ellijay for check-in and supper. Whew! The next day I visited and hiked at Fort Mountain State Park. My goal was to see the stone serpent effigy. This effigy is reported to be between 850 and 930 feet long. I only checked out a short section of the site. The identity of the builders remain a mystery to this day. Next I wanted to go to one of the apple orchards for fried apple pie. It was delicious. Then I made my way home. The week of this post should see more progress on the covered hopper project. Roofs are complete now and we will work on smaller parts next. Refreshed and diligent, omscaler

 

Blue skies and cool at last!

 Yes sir, we have real Autumn weather at last. Great news for all of us that hate humidity. Got out recently and walked at the park walking track. Refreshed omscalers brain it did. The only problem we see now is a conflict between staying in and building The Omega Scale Railway and going outside and being in the great outdoors. Per last post omscaler can report that all wheels are installed and running gear is ready to receive car bodies. Currently car roofs are being fabricated. After that we will have to decide which components are to be done. Enjoying the options, omscaler

 

Blue skies...and warm

Per last post, omscaler is still looking for cooler temps. And looking, and looking. I know it will come. Just when? Anyway, enough complaining. Let’s complain about something else. Omscaler is still working on the covered hopper project. As of this writing we are assembling freight car trucks. I have to admit it is a little time consuming since we are working on four cars plus one set for an upcoming car project. Lots of wheels needed. Plus additional parts. But we will work and work until we get it all done. It is what we do. Moving forward, omscaler

 

October already!

 Omscaler is a little surprised. Surprised that Summer is gone and it still is warm and humid. However, we believe that spectacular Autumn weather will appear soon. This a great time for outdoor railfanning and hiking and other outdoor stuff. Omscaler has been chomping at the bit to get outside. Chores and errand are looming but we will get it done. Then, hit the the road. Road trip! Where will we go? Answer will be listed in future blog posts. We are still building covered hoppers slowly but surely. Working along, omscaler