I don't check in as often as I used to (and will again) so it is my esteemed honor to open.

Get your own breakfast. I'm intermittent fasting.

Welcome Home Bob...can't wait to hear about your trip. I'm off to ride the Glacier Express and all of the other Swiss trains in 3 weeks.

I've got all kinds of model projects going but keep getting pulled away...I'd really like to get a nice trackplan together to show you all what I'm working on...someday soon.

Happy Hump day!

John

Morning All

Today looks to be a good MR day for me. I've got one more module to assemble, maybe even paint...when it's installed in place, I'll consider my benchwork essentially done and (maybe) even worthy of a few pictures. I have gotten the HOn30 section running and all track laid with the exception of a couple of engine house tracks that will ultimately lead into a Sierra West structure that I'll build elsewhere and then install.

Pouring outside and the dogs are going to explode if it doesn't let up - or they'll just have to accept their wet fates (and mine). 

Have a good  one.

Hello ...figured this deserved its own thread...so people might see it and pitch in.

Anybody find any good Modeling podcasts to listen to?

I used to listen to Scott Mason's with Jimmy and Doug and I really miss it. Doug, especially, always had some valuable insights and suggestions. His short lived solo podcast kind of died on the vine - which I completely get...you kind of have to be a bit of a blowhard to fill all that dead air and keep it moving, so I never fault someone for just not being wired for that. Scott's podcast actually got me to this (its predecessor)forum, to multiple Craftsman Structure Shows, to the home layouts of my modeling heroes, to dinner with some of them, and, ironically, to meet a modeling group right in my little hometown. Ultimately, it introduced me to an entirely new level of modeling and helped me gain the confidence to believe I can build stuff like I've seen in the magazines and often better. Nowadays, I don't miss a NNGC and I don't allow myself to do crappy work...it all comes back to a podcast. 

I can't find any I really like at present...I won't be critical of any because everyone has different tastes, but I would love some submissions and I presume others might too. 

Morning All, once again I apologize that I don't eat breakfast so you're on your own.

Nice to see all of the activity on the forum, including an influx of my favorite sorts of stuff - narrow gauge, critters, caricature-ish, Dave Meek-styled, etc.

Good news on MY modeling front...the Orlando Magic have again refused to make any positive moves at the trade deadline yesterday, so I've resigned as volunteer GM and rabid online fan...I'll hopefully redirect my energies and time to more important things like getting my layout to start looking like a layout and wake up my long dormant thread. 

Next, I'll have to do something about this whole "work for a living" thing - it's cramping my style. 

Have a good one...John

Morning All,

Last day of work before I leave for Pittsburgh for the National Narrow Gauge Convention early tomorrow. I'm looking forward to reconnecting with some train buddies...anyone here going?

Last night, I finished my "musts" on the layout...All of the HOn30 track is clean, extra ties replaced and feeders dropped. The layout room, in general, is clean and neat and ready for the next phase of construction. I inventoried my Micro Engineering bridge parts and made sure I have what I need (ME will be a vendor at the show). The remaining portion of the layout will be HOn3, so tonight I'll check my inventory of track and make sure I don't need to order more...nothing worse than getting rolling and running out of something that isn't immediately available. 

Busy day today-so I'm off and running. Have a great day!

John

Wow...I get to open.

All good here. Many track plans spinning in my head, but I think I've boiled it down a bit. I won't lay any track until after the NNGC because I know I'll see things that make me want to rip it all down and start over again 

I'm pretty certain I'll include a loop of HOn3 (I'm in HOn30) so I can reclaim one of my beautiful Blackstone locos...my 1yr old grandson seems very confused when he comes to find me in my office and the choo-choo's are gone...I'm going to up the ante and bring in a nice sound-equipped steamer for his enjoyment...my kids didn't care-maybe I'll hook him.

John

Morning All...

Been traveling a lot this year and more to come...most notably, the Narrow Gauge convention in Pittsburgh in Sept, Salt Lake City (just to hike-relatively cheap flights, so...), Costa Rica in December. We've already been to Ireland and on a European river cruise as well as 2 or 3 short trips to NY to spend time with Mom, and multiple short RV trips and a longer one to Asheville, NC.... This sounds like a lot and it certainly is - I don't think I've ever traveled half as much in a year...Next year, we've already resolved to stay home a lot more  .

I'm steadily coming to the conclusion that it's time to re-do the layout...I'm kind of paralyzed by analysis - and that's a sign that the design doesn't inspire me to action. I can see a few obvious trouble spots that will look toy-like and, admittedly, that's kind of what I had in mind at the outset - but that's changed. I'm thinking about how to build a more realistic, linear, scenically powerful layout in a somewhat less than ideal space...this thought process has me fired up again - which I'll take as evidence that I'm on the right track.

John

Wow...I can't believe I'm opening at 10:30.


Hope all are well....just getting the gears turning again with the NNGC looming. I'm determined to make some tangible progress on my layout before then. Made a list, cleaned some track, moved some things around, but need to dive into something significant soon. 

We're going on a Viking riverboat cruise from Belgium to Amsterdam in July, so I'm trying to set goals and deadlines, etc.

Hoping to find more on here to get my juices flowing. Tom, Mark, and others...I'm counting on you. 

I'm thinking about booking this week (before life gets me off course and I forget again)...anybody going?


John M.

Morning All,


Yesterday, I dove into the rabbit hole of re-organizing all of my train stuff storage. I didn't throw out much, but I've got it all nicely organized in labeled storage crates beneath the layout and on a couple of shelves in the closet. The biggest improvement was clearing off the workbench (in my layout room -really more of a glass desk) to prepare for some kit building. Based on what I see on here, most of us thrive on organized chaos at our workbenches, but I'm drawn to a more clean, undistracted work area as my mind is already a chaotic beehive. So, I'm trying to limit what's at hand (and in obvious sight) to what I use often and hiding away things like replacement blades and duplicate tools or rarely used specialized stuff. Everything is nearby and easily accessible, just not in my face. Again, nothing revolutionary, I just figured it might be kind of unusual to most of you...Most of the pics show racks and racks of paints, clamps, dozens of tweezers, strip wood, etc...which is a beautiful thing, but I'd spend too much time staring lovingly at them all and remembering other projects I have forgotten or delayed. To each his own.


Have a great weekend...John

I've met a bunch of this crew at prior NNGCs (and Expos)...I'm kind of on the fence this year so I thought I'd take a roll call. Anyone going to Hickory, NC this September?

I haven't posted much lately but, for some demented reason, I can't resist opening 


I actually had a pretty good modeling weekend, with the rainy weather it was a natural on Sunday. I began building Fos' Pendleton Marine, which will basically function as a background structure. I'm at the point where the only available real estate on my layout is spoken for and Pendleton's is the least intimidating of the builds ahead, so I finally dove in. Feels good...
I'll get some pics posted on my layout thread when there's anything worth sharing.


My focus has been on the next stage in my career...my partners and I are pushing for the finish line, so I haven't been as frequent a modeler as I hope to be in the not-too-too-too-distant future...eyes on the prize and all.


Have a great Monday


John

The backside of my layout is shaping up in my mind. I'd like to do a backwoods, little trains big trees thing to really take advantage of the shadowbox framing. Some of the great Aussie layouts of Geoff Nott and company, as well as the Hangman Creek display layout (and others) illustrate this well. Big trees extending right up under the valance ( to infinity)...I'm thinking no better way to simulate the detail of bark, moss, etc like the real thing. I'll find small (fake or floral supply) branches to insert into the natural trunks as I research the right stuff for Maine lumbering. Same goes for stumps, pulpwood, logs, etc....Here's my question:


Can I spray some kind of clear mat fixative to stabilize rotting wood or will be rotting wood?


Do I need to nuke or bake it to make sure I don't invite termites or smaller organisms into my layout?


Any other thoughts or suggestions?


John

I am offering the Model Railroader DVD series "Dream, Plan, Build" for sale. I subscribed to this series for several years and the set includes...
       -episodes 1-14
       -"Real Rails Edition..."Big Power"
      -"Real Rails Edition..."Horseshoe Curve"
       - Special Episode...:Layouts, Tips, and Prototypes"
       -Special Episode..."Painting Backdrops"
       -Special Episode..."DCC from Start to Finish"
       -Special Episode..."Realistic Layout Operations"
       -Great American Layouts Edition..."Doug Tasgold's D&RGW Silverton Branch"


21 DVD's in all, all in perfect condition in original packaging. For sale or trade (interests are HOn30, built up small structures or vehicles, details...make an offer 


John

I am starting this thread to share the progress on my layout, which some of you are familiar with. I began it in August 2012, as an N scale layout, but after track was laid I decided to follow my heart and convert to HOn30. After a few minimal trackplan alterations, I was on my way. Oddly, I decided to leave a remote corner of the layout in N scale, hoping that it's isolation would lend a nice forced perspective effect on what is not a large overall layout. I think it's worked out so far and I was able to display my best N scale structures and rolling stock.

I'll catch up with a flurry of photos and, hopefully, a good track plan to catch us all up to date.

Thanks for any interest, suggestions, or comments

John