Making a shed for Omega Siding

The shed I wanted to build is the one actually at Tuttletown.
Per the 1916 valuation for the railway, the shed is 12x12 feet on a 12x24 platform.
I had a sheet of Dollar Tree foam board to use. I cut the pieces and then stripped the paper off so it would be water proof. With out the paper its about 5mm thick. Then I hot glued it together.
Cut the battens from the edge of the foam board. Glued them on with outdoor Gorilla Glue.

Bare foam.

Painted with acrylics. Hot glued redwood posts and angle supports.

Bare roof.

I saw some videos online how to make corrugated metal with different paper crimper manufactures. They all work the same.
I ran down to the crafty stores and found none in stock anymore. So I Googled it and found the Friskars one through Walmart and added it to my Christmas list.
Thank you Santa!

The package.

The tool.

Stick a business card in and turn the side orange handle while squeezing the back handle.
I usually twist the side handle a little forward then back, then forward/back repeatedly to get better corrugations.
Especially on the end before spitting it out.
You could use aluminum from soda cans as well.

This is what you get. Paint the business cards before or after.

You could use longer card stock to get more scale lengths.
I may redo the roof later with thinner card stock and full lengths.

The Captain thinks its ok.

What do you think?

Report No.11

A little update on progress.
I have been running two Mixed trains every weekend per program when I find a spare 30-45 min for each.
A special order for the Omega Mine mill was shipped as an Extra also.
I wanted to start small with buildings, so I built the Tuttletown freight shed to put at Omega Siding till I get to Tuttletown. Per the 1916 valuations its a 12x12 ft. shed on a 12x 24 ft. platform. I'll do a post on making it later.
This week I put in the Peppermint Creek bridge because I was worried that fill might work as a dam. Map shows 3 spans, but I only wanted one now.
After that I finished the Marble spur and put the track in for the Storehouse and Oil Spur. I tested it per program with engines No.1, 8 and 10. No problems pushing two cars up the hill.

First car to new shed at Omega Siding.

Special order of replacement parts for the Omega Mine mill.
First ten Terok Nor model ST-DS9 self sealing extruder buckets arrive Omega Siding December 12.

New Peppermint Creek bridge.

Marble Spur track installed in final configuration.

Storehouse and Oil Spur track layed and tested today.

Locomotive Roster

My plan is for No.1 to be yard switcher till I get/ kitbash an 0-6-0 that Sierra had used. No.8 and No.10 will run the freights. No.15 will run the Mixed.

My four engines are converted to radio control. This works great. No interference or glitching ever. I have absolute incremental throttle control.

I fly electric R/C aircraft so I am using my old Hitec Optic 6 transmitter with a Spectrum 2.4 GHz module and Hobby King Orange receivers.

All have an on/off switch below tender deck on Engineers side.

Speed controllers are one direction, so I made servos push/pull a DPDT switch for reversing. The right control stick works like a Johnson Bar, push forward/up to change to forward and pull back/down for reverse.

Left stick is throttle. I have it reverse of real engines due to aircraft is push/up on, pull/down is off. I don't want to confuse myself between the two. Aircraft take priority.

Batteries are my older LiPos that won't provide the amp draw for aircraft, but will run an engine.

I have been using this type for 15 years and know to be cautious with them as when abused they can self ignite. I have not had this happen to me, but have seen it happen to others when damaged or charged incorrectly. Always read the safety instructions on all batteries and chargers.

Batteries are in engines or their tenders and are easy to replace if they get low during operating. They are ALWAYS removed for safe charging in an fire proof container.

The engines are lettered with vinyl from a local sign shop that made them as small as his machine would cut, 1/4 inch. If you tell them you will do the picking,(removing excess around the letters), and transfer to low tack tape yourself, they get friendly again. Thats the hard the work. They usually have tons of scrap to cut on. Cut a few extras because you will mess some up till you get the hang of it.

Most of the info to keep things running I learned from George's Technical Tips Page

A wealth of tips and tricks for G scale engines.

I am still looking for a bargain Bachmann Heisler to be No.9
Update 5-18-20. Aquired a used Bachmann Heisler, 2trk Shay and a 3trk Shay.
I am reshopping them, see below.

Engine No.1

Pretty much stock Bachmann Porter sidetank 0-4-0, Coal Creek Lumber.

Started out blue before repaint.

Replaced bell rope and added whistle rod.

Added sand dome lid handles.

Reworked cab roof vent so it will open and close.

Removed track pickups.

Cut backhead off so a 2 cell 610mah or a 3 cell 370mah battery can slip in/out. The backhead is held in place by a magnet.

R/C receiver in left tank and speed control in other. Reversing servo/switch on fireman's side wall.

No sound yet.

Runs well and surprisingly will pull the two hoppers out of the steep grade of the gravel spur.

Don't know run time, but it used half the battery to switch the yard and run a work train to Omega Siding, do some switching and run back to JT.

Engine No.8

Bachmann Class B Climax, older version, undecorated.

Yes, Sierra didn't have a No.8 or a Climax. But a Climax was ordered and used on the Sugar Pine Ry. and other engines may have been ordered as demos, and may have used the unused numbers while on site. Works for me.

Replaced bell rope and added whistle rod.

Added a rebuilt 4-6-0 generator and moved the air pump exhaust.

Removed coal and made oil tank to hold 3 cell 1300mah battery.

Added sand bunker in cab for the Fireman's daughter to sit on. She likes the Engineer. Held in place with a magnet.

Scratch built a "cow-catcher" to front pilot beam. All Sierra road engines have them.

Installed rear footboard that was missing, from a 4-6-0 tender.

Moved reverse lamp from roof to back of water tank.

Replace head/reverse lamp LEDs with SMD LEDs. Just brighter, better color.

Hardwired truck to chassis wires with silicon wires. Heard connection can be bad.

Removed roller ball pickups.

Disconnected all other lights.

Added older version 4-6-0 chuff board and smaller speaker. Now has MY Loco Sound.

Un-quartered cross connecting shaft so chuff switches in pistons now go chuff equally,(although half the real engine), not chuff chuff nothing nothing chuff...

Made and added ladder to Fireman's side of water tank.

Made hinged stack cover.

Made front flag holders and white flags.

Added rod for roof vent.

Filed bolsters on front frame to let front truck tilt side to side better for uneven track. Left rear alone.

Runs great. Have run for 45 min and used half of battery. Works well on uneven track.

Engine No.9
Bachmann 2 trruck Heisler.
Aquired 5-18-20 from Dave Connery's now retired South West Side Lumber Co.
Thank you Dave.
As of 5-25-20.
Already has PCM R/C with Sierra Sound installed and working.
Fixed front truck to frame connection.
Pulled side air tanks, rear ladder, rear sandbox, roof light, front foot board.
Added Bachmann couplers.
Removed roof reverse lamp.
Made oil tank and hatch, moved water hatch.
Added a "cow-catcher" to front pilot beam. All Sierra road engines have them.
Repainted cab and tender.
Relettered.
Replaced crew.
Made a new stack and cover.
Runs and sounds great.

Engine No.10

Bachnann Class B Shay, older version, Ely-Thomas lumber Co.

Replaced bell rope and added whistle rod.

Removed coal and made oil tank.

Removed diamond stack and used a 4-6-0 stack with an extension. Will make a hinged stack cover.

Added "cow-catcher" to front pilot beam. Also from a 4-6-0. All Sierra road engines have them.

Installed rear footboard that was missing, from a 4-6-0 tender.

Painted cab sides and tank flat black to cover lettering.

Removed reverse lamp from back of water tank. No. 10 did not have one.

Replace head lamp LED with SMD LED. Just brighter, better color.

Added older version 4-6-0 chuff board and smaller speaker. Fixed short circuit behind cylinders.

If your wheels wobble you need to REPLACED ALL CRUMBLING WASHERS BETWEEN WHEELS AND BEARINGS with 3/8 steel washers, drilled out to fit on axle and No.10 nylon washers for insulating wheel from axle. MY ENGINE DID. Bachman doesn't have the kit anymore.

SO FAR I REPLACED ONE AXLE DRIVE GEAR THAT CRACKED. Got a replacement from Northwest Short Line . The gear is a Spur Gear, 32DP x 22 Teeth x 18.9mm OD x 0.173" Face x 6mm Bore, Delrin Compatible with:  Fn3 Bachmann 36T Shay axle gear. Part Number:  2225-6.  As soon as I replaced it another cracked. Ended up replacing all four.

Removed roller ball pickups.

Disconnected all other lights.

Made front flag holders and white flags.

Added rod for roof vent.

Replace long air tank with scratch built shorter one.

Removed rear ladder.

Runs great also. Likes uneven track.

Engine No.15

Bachmann 4-6-0 Chattanooga Rail Road Set.

Replaced bell rope and added whistle rod.

Removed coal and made oil tank.

Made a hinged stack cover.

Moved reverse lamp from center of tender to back left edge.

Replace head/reverse lamp LEDs with SMD LEDs. Just brighter, better color.

Made new guide for pony truck,(front 4 wheels), per George's Technical Tips Page.

Replaced chassis and running gear with Bachmann 4-6-0 Anniversary chassis.

Added extra chuff bars to axle contacts for four chuffs per revolution.

Removed track pickups.

Disconnected all other lights.

Made roof vent operable and added rod.

Removed brass painted boiler bands.

Painted cab and tender black.

Runs ok. Doesn't like uneven track.

Report No.10

First work train to use Omega Siding.

Notice, Marble spur not in then.

I have arrived at Omega Siding,(work train tested it Nov. 15),and I am working on the Marble

spur. I plan on stopping here while I go back to work on locations that need ballasting and

site work. Maybe a building or two also.

Saturday Nov. 17, I got to take the white flags off  No.8 and ran the first scheduled Mixed

train from Jamestown to Omega Siding with one car, (I did take the two hoppers out to the

Gravel Spur also), and return to Jamestown with three cars. It took a long time to switch

at Omega due to the main on the east end was too short to back the whole train out of the

way and the siding can only hold four cars, plus I had both coaches 5 & 6.

It was a fun first trip.

Oh yea, I did add the most simple sound to No.8, a Bachmann Big Hauler chuff board. Sounds

better than nothing.

Spent last few nights finishing Shay No.10. Also added the same sound board. She took out

today's Mixed to Omega Siding.

See video of first train at bottom. Yea, I now know to film in landscape only...

Sierra Railway 
Manifest for train (Omega 22 East) Valid 9/24/1912 22:54 
Scheduled work at Jamestown Yard, departure time 18:34 
[ ] Pick up TCX 424 Tank Oil Silver E from Oil Spur 
Train departs Jamestown Yard Eastbound with 1 cars 
Scheduled work at Jamestown Yards, arrival time 18:54
ALWAYS KEEP MAINLINE CLEAR AFTER WORK IS DONE THERE! 
[ ] Pick up EL 1877 Flatcar Orange L from Freight Siding 
[ ] Set out TCX 424 Tank Oil Silver E to Main Siding 
Train departs Jamestown Yards Eastbound with 1 cars 
Scheduled work at Omega, arrival time 19:34 
[ ] Set out EL 1877 Flatcar Orange L to Marble Spur 
Train terminates in Omega

                                         First scheduled train ready to leave Jamestown Nov. 17.

Set out hoppers at Gravel Spur.

                               

                                                             Arrive at Omega Siding.

Sierra Railway 

Manifest for train (Omega 21 West) Valid 9/24/1912 22:54 

Scheduled work at Omega, departure time 19:45 

[ ] Pick up SRy 20 Boxcar Lt. Brown E from Marble Spur 

[ ] Pick up SRy 42 Flatcar Brown E from Marble Spur 

[ ] Pick up F&CC 588 Boxcar Brown L from Omega Siding 

Train departs Omega Westbound with 3 cars 

Scheduled work at Jamestown Yards, arrival time 20:05 

ALWAYS KEEP MAINLINE CLEAR AFTER WORK IS DONE THERE! 

[ ] Pick up SVX 1443 Tank Oil Silver E from Main Siding 

[ ] Set out SRy 20 Boxcar Lt. Brown E to Indust. Siding 

[ ] Set out SRy 42 Flatcar Brown E to Indust. Siding 

[ ] Set out F&CC 588 Boxcar Brown L to Storehouse 

Train departs Jamestown Yards Westbound with 1 cars 

Scheduled work at Jamestown Yard, arrival time 21:05 

[ ] Set out SVX 1443 Tank Oil Silver E to Oil Spur 

Train terminates in Jamestown Yard

Cars in background are on the unfinished Marble Spur.

Ready to return to Jamestown.

                                                      Pulling out of Table Mt. cut.

                                                              Crossing Woods Creek.

                                         Spotting flat and boxcar at JT Industrial Spur.

                      Mixed today was made up with 0-4-0 No.1. Here No.10 is ready to highball.

                                                         Heading into Table Mt. cut.

Spot to Marble Spur SRy flat 42 and OSHX 1992 in memory of our favorite hardware stores that closed. I have two OSHX and was going to paint over one till I heard they were closing. Changed my mind to save them.

                                                         Running around the coaches.

                                              No.10 looking good over Woods Creek.

                        After setting out the freight cars a special raifan trip departed Jamestown.

                                                              Stopped for a photo run by.

                                                                   Omega Siding.

                                                                     As it looks today.

Report No.9

Woods creek Trestle.
Per Brian Curnow- Bridge 42-A, 16 feet high and 224 feet long. Had 15 bents. ten bents had Redwood footing blocks, and five bents had concrete footings. Mine is curved and has 7 spans.

Picture of my copy of Newell's 1916 track plans.

Found this picture six months after building it. I will modify my trestle.

 Last week I got around to cutting the 6x1/2 inch ties and 5/8x1/2 stringers out of redwood.
All the redwood is old 2x6 deck boards from when a neighbor replaced theirs.

The bents are recycled from another garden Ry. in the area.
 Here is a good site about trestles. Trestles 101

 Saw another trestle online that incorporates the LGB track w/ties, so the LGB track is removable and more important, floats a little for thermal expansion and contraction.

 I used Gorilla wood glue I got a Lowes for $3.98 8 oz bottle, non-expanding, dries natural color, non- foaming, indoor/outdoor type 2.

 I bent the rails w/ a bender and put the track in place between abutments held up w/ pieces of wood. After it looked right and had proper grade, I propped it up w/ two tubes driven into the ground that had T shaped wire inserted in the tops to hold the track w/o the wood pieces. I then took the track to a flat surface and put it rail side down. Next inserted the bridge ties, made a spacer jig to center them on the LGB track. Glued the stringers on, each joint is 10 inches at center of ties. Added an extra piece to join the stringer joints, except two on right side due to need to be flexible for slope change.
 Let dry overnight. 
Next day I set the whole bridge on the T topped tubes w/ help from my son. It lined up perfectly.

Bridge crew ready to leave Jamestown.

Heading down to Woods Creek.

Ready to start bridge building.

Notice rod under right flatcar. Used a few blocks to level track.

I then modified and installed the bents, put them 10 inched apart at the stringer joints, checking slope and rail to rail level. After a few dry fits, glued tops to stringers. Then added sway and cross braces.

 Some more parts were needed, so a train was quickly filled by the office staff and headed out to ride the trestle whether done or not.

It works! Would have made a great picture if it didn't though.

Picking up work cars from Jamestown Industrial spur.

         One more time back over for the enjoyment of all aboard.
      Very rough grade for the gravel spur below the train.

Crews still have to add more details to finish.