Still a little more

 Yes, the hopper cars a moving, albeit slowly, toward the finish mark. The previously mentioned stirrup step former is now a reality. The final form still needs to be fine-tuned. This construction aid is one of many omscaler has come up with over the course of developing The Omega Scale Railway. After the stirrup steps are attached, all that remains should be attaching the car bodies to the center beam assemblies. These center beams are already complete and awaiting the installations of the car bodies. Omscaler is expecting that the mounting of the bodies will need some fine tuning as well. Seems like it always does. Until next post, omscaler

 

“Gluing” toward the finish line

Omscaler is pleased to report that most of the hopper group are nearing completion. What remains now is brake wheel and brake wheel platforms along with stirrup steps. Hopefully, this will go smoothly. Omscaler has an idea for an assembly form for the steps. This form will be able to work on all freight cars and perhaps many locomotives as well. This form will allow for multiple groups of four steps. This alone will speed up production. Looking forward to being speedy, omscaler

 

Component success!

 Your erstwhile Omega Scale modeler has achieved another goal. The hopper end frame configuration had been previously problematic. When something doesn’t look right, it doesn’t look right. Lesson we learned here a long time ago. I am happy to report that the new method looks realistic. At least more so than before. Omscaler has only done the frames for one hopper. The new method allows for a strong bond while looking the right size. An important consideration in context. The rest of the batch will follow. Still "hoppering" along, omscaler

 

The new old boxcar

As readers will note, the M&StL boxcar has been improved. Omscaler was not satisfied with his own work on this one. Therefore, the boxcar was re-shopped. Part of the reason was the availability of better graphics for reporting marks. The other was that the ladders were sub-standard. The result is a definite improvement. There are still visible flaws to be seen. However, omscaler will try to adhere to a better construction standard in the future. As readers may be able to tell, this side project was interjected in the midst of the larger hopper project. The hoppers are in the process of having end frames installed. With the final details, this should bring a completion to this major project. Then, onward and upward. Working with anticipation, omscaler

 

A visit to a cultural venue

Last Saturday the 35^th Annual Coosa Valley Model Railroad Association train show was held in historic downtown Gadsden, Alabama. The location was the Mary G. Hardin Center for Cultural Arts. What could be more “cultural” than model railroading? And in a riverside town to boot! In fact, the whole area is replete with history and scenic beauty. Noccalula Falls, Coosa River, Weiss Lake (Crappie Capital of the World), Cherokee Rock Village and for Civil War buffs, numerous military sites. Anyway, yours truly won a door prize. Just made my day! A few more things. The main permanent layout is seventy-two feet long. It features actual buildings and activities from Gadsden’s past. A least five layouts were on display. Numerous dealers were present as well. The visit to the Falls showed it to be in full flow with a plentiful mist blowing off. The nearby park area was hosting a Barbecue Cooking Competition. Smelled wonderful. Cool and windy though. All in all, a nice day trip. Back home and working, omscaler

 

A little more insider information

For our blog readers, more insider information. Literally. Omscaler has reached the point on the hopper car build where the center slope sheets have been installed. This week we will begin center beam cover sheets. These parts form a metal tent over the car center beam for the purpose of directing all the coal out of the bottom of the hopper. Omscaler is in fact aware of the possibility that some hopper cars just had the flat top surface of the center beam exposed. The reason for this is that omscaler is in possession of a three- bay hopper car in the 1/160 N scale which has the exposed center beam. The car markings are for the Illinois Central RR. This begs the question, “Is the model true to the prototype?” Maybe back in the day, some of the coal load remaining on the center beam was considered too negligible to matter. Omscaler will consider researching this. At any rate, the GM&O hoppers will have beam cover sheets. Nothing is too good for the customer. Still ‘a-building, omscaler

 

TAG along, if you will

Last week, omscaler took a visit to Cherokee County, Alabama. The purpose of this trip was to get fishing information. One of the stops omscaler made was at Yellow Creek. Omscaler has written about this area before. It was delightful to see Yellow Creek Falls in full flow. Great natural beauty. Just out in front of the falls a little distance are the old trestle piers for the TAG line. The Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia Railroad. Folks used to be able to make Fall foliage excursions and visit this area many years ago. Ah, for the good old days. Anyway, omscaler did get some info and did get to try out some new fishing equipment and did not catch anything. Cool with wind although sunny later on. Mostly a sight-seeing outing. All good. We are back on the hopper car group and making steady progress. Specifically putting in the center sheets. Feeling refreshed, omscaler