A complete standstill!

Yep. Looks like work was halted. Let me explain. Last Monday omscaler left town for the beach. The occasion was to attend the vows and ring exchange of my daughter and her intended. This ceremony took place on the beach at Gulf Shores, Alabama. And, omscaler “hisself” was the “officiant”. Omscaler had never done this before so there was a significant amount of practice beforehand. All went well. This was a driving trip so some site seeing stops were made. On the way in, I stopped and got some pics of the Bay Minette depot some of which included a grown grandson. On the way back, pics were made of the Foley, Alabama, depot and train display (real equipment). Now, it is time to get back to the passenger car project and other projects as well. Elated traveler, omscaler

 

Hooray for us!

Omscaler is happy to report that all heavyweight car sides have been successfully cut. There were some initial glitches due to still being a new operator of the hobby laser. I have had the laser a long time but don’t use it very often. This past weekend saw omscaler making up a large batch of couplers. We are thinking of adding some more before moving on to the passenger car running gear and underframes. Then onward and upward to the roofs. That is unless omscaler changes the order of things. You never know. Fabricating more coupler hooks, Etc. Omscaler

 

Just now ready for cutting

The passenger car project that is in process is taking more time. Omscaler found out that the “clean up” part of the cutting prep was a lot more detailed than he realized. Live and learn. That is what we do here on the Very Small Railroad. Add to that the steps to make the actual cuts will be taken slowly and carefully. Cut and check then cut and check and so on. After successful cuts will come floors and roofs. The roofs are the clerestory type and will prove somewhat challenging as well. In the end, this project should be an interesting addition to The Omega Scale Railway. Still moving toward the end goal, omscaler

 

Another progress update

 As mentioned previously, a passenger car project is underway. A coach has been diagramed and is ready for cutting out. However, omscaler plans to do a group diagram in an effort to move the process along. By that, the plan is to have all or almost all passenger car types loaded and ready for cutting. A baggage car will be up next. And then the rest. More news next week. Staying busy, omscaler

 

And a change-a’ dosey-doh

Time to swing our partners. As of this post, the William Hull house diagram has been started but not completed. As omscaler was looking upon the recently completed American locomotive it became painfully obvious that there were no passenger cars. So, last Saturday, omscaler put the structure project aside and started a passenger car project. Some of the details include: All will be heavy-weight types for this first group. Two to three coaches are planned. A baggage mail is needed. And a diner and sleeper to round out the group. Still a buildin’, omscaler

 

What we are doing now

 The next project has been started. Omscaler is building the Union Station that was located in Union City, TN. The reason it was called a union station is because both the GM&O and NC&StL railroads used this location. Currently, the building now serves as the Obion County Chamber of Commerce. A great save for railroad history. The architecture appears M&O/GM&O. I say this because the normal NC&StL depot color is yellow with green trim. A great example of this can be seen today in Albertville, Alabama. Another great save for railroad history. A smaller depot can also be seen in Guntersville, Alabama. Anyway, the building diagrams have been completed as of last Thursday paving the way for actual construction. Next up, if nothing changes, will be the William Hull, italianate style house in Murphysboro, Illinois. Big doins’ on The Omega Scale railway. Busy building, omscaler

 

Done and done times three

As you can see, the three locomotive project has been called complete. The start date on this was February 16^th, 2023. Completion date: August 21^st, 2023. This averages about two months per locomotive. If there was less procrastination, the time would have been less. From left to right we have 2-8-0 GM&O #2994, 4-4-0 Gulf, Mobile and Northern #33, and 2-8-0 GM&O #2998. The two consolidations have “The Alton Route” slogans on both sides of the tenders. #33 American was inspired by pics and information on Hawkinsrails.net. Gulf, Mobile & Northern was one of the older railroads that became part of the GM&O. A number of new techniques were used on this project. Overall, these were successful. A more distant focal length on the camera was used to hide the many “warts” that seem to pop up with close-ups. I like the improved roof lines, crisper tender lines and laser cut cab sides I had previously mentioned. There are some alignment flaws that may not be visible to us regular humans. Also, in the rear of the line-up is the old Mogul (jealous, not doubt). omscaler is still pondering the next project. Also, a module extension has been prepared to use. The legs of the module table were extended about five inches. The module top measures thirty inches by sixty inches. This will expand the layout possibilities in the future. The next two building projects will be the Union City passenger depot and the William Hull house of Murphysboro. Stuff to do galore! Staying cool and prepping up, omscaler