Well and done

As of last Thursday afternoon, all seven turnouts were completed. All seven turnouts utilize material heretofore avoided in the past. Three turnouts were done with a vinyl insert and four were done with a polystyrene insert. Previously, cardstock had been used. However, material weakness made this unsuitable. Once the card began bending, there was no way to straighten or reinforce it enough to continue use. Most of the time the turnout worked very poorly. Now that the new material is being used, trials indicate a longer and more rugged working life. Currently, the southbound Gulf Coast Special is boarding and will depart for the port city of Mobile. This will be followed by an empty hopper extra headed south for Streamline and Captain mines. On a construction and building note, this past Saturday saw the preparation of a batch of air-dry clay. Soon this material will be tried out for vehicles and figures it is hoped. Also, the Union City module is soon to be assembled. Two structures are on the way as well. Staying very busy, omscaler

 

Still heading up

Omscaler is still heading up. Up the turnout upgrade hill that is. As of this writing, two complete turnouts are done. Several more components are ready made and waiting. The next turnout is number three of seven. After these are done, the turnouts come in pairs whereas the earlier ones lead to stub tracks. More clearly, crossing from one parallel track to another requires two turnouts. This has the potential to stall rail traffic when the pair is removed for replacement. Seems like OSR dispatch may have their work cut out when this happens. Omscale feels they are more than able to handle the challenge. Until the next upgrade, er, update that is, omscaler

 

Up the turnout upgrade hill

As mentioned previously, omscaler is busy working on upgrading seven turnouts. The first one is already done. However, what was revealed was that the “frog area” needed a rework as well. In reality, the old problem of frog weakness still remained. Somewhat improved but still there. Fyi, a frog is the metal plate that keeps rail car and locomotive engine wheels tracking correctly as the turnout is crossed. So, omscaler returned to the drawing board for a redesign. We think we have it now, we hope. Keeping you posted on the turnout rebuild trail, omscaler

 

Those pesky switch-stands!

Last week was spent working on switch-stands. Things seemed to start out okay but when it came time to do a trial fit, not so good. The reason was that the base was too big. Well, back to the drawing board. Fortunately, the base was able to be shortened. Shortening the base also meant that rod guides on the base had to be redone as well. We did not have much room to spare. The base measure 5/16” by 5/16”. The so named sliding wedge could only be so long before it interfered with the next parallel track and roadbed. As it turned out, omscaler was able to work through the challenge. After redoing the measurements, work began on making seven new turnouts for the Murphysboro module. When this is complete, one of the 2024 goals will be met. Still working ahead, omscaler

 

Better and better

As this post is being written, the glue is drying on the latest project. Specifically, a “target” was attached to the switch stand on a new turnout. The old turnouts did not function as well as was hoped and were prone to warp during use. So, last week, omscaler rolled up his sleeves and began designing an improved turnout. This has been an ongoing periodic effort since The Omega Scale Railway’s inception. The first attempts were very clunky. This last design may be number six on the list of trials. Here is what we have. The new turnout is about ten-percent the size of the current ones. It uses “drop-in” installation. It looks much more realistic. And, pending a shake-down period, it works better. This is a win-win-win-win for The Omega Scale Railway. Pending final installations, this will be an attained goal for the new year. Then, onward and upward, omscaler

 

New beginning, new goals

As this post is being written, the new year is fast upon us. Omscaler has already made goals for The Omega Scale Railway for 2024. Honestly, some things did not get done in 2023. These were reinstated for 2024 as well as new goals for the year. 2024 promises to be even busier than last year. The first thing slated is a turnout upgrade. The previous ones did work but did not wear well. Omscaler has a better design in mind. Then what? That will be determined soon. One thing under consideration is figures for the OSR. Place looks like a ghost town. With the completion of the passenger train, the entire local area looks overcrowded and technically, the train has no place to go. We hope to change this soon. More on this later. All supplies are believed to be on hand so building can start on many projects. See you in the new year, omscaler

 

Step by step again

As omscaler sits writing this blog and waiting for “Santee Claws”, it occurred to him that the lead caption seemed familiar. So, what was done was add the word again. We are indeed working on passenger car steps. It was good that a working plan for making the steps was thought out. Makes things simpler. Omscaler loves simpler. These are the last parts to be done to complete all the cars. Should be, I say should be, done by this post appearing on the blog. Then it is rock and roll time for passengers on The Omega Scale Railway. Have a wonderful Holiday, omscaler