Migrating Sans Migrations

I'm trying to add a table to an already established ruby on rails system, but I don't have access to a shell where I host my site, so I can't use the automated migration. Luckily the new table is similar enough in functionality to another that I've taken the controller/ model/view/helper files for the other table, copied them and then modified slightly to fit the new functionality. I can go to the list page for the new table, follow the link to the create page, type in everything and click create, but the new item never appears, and the database is unchanged. Rails never complains at all, and since the database isn't changing I know its not a problem with the display code(yet). So my question is, is there something besides creating all the files, some config file i need to change somewhere to make this work, or is it really just not meant to work in a non-automated way? the URL is www.askreilly.com, and the 'new quotes section' is the one I can't get to work. Thanks lots. ~R