Morning Fellow Modelers,

Back about two years ago, before stumbling across Scott Mason’s Model Railroad Podcast (www.modelrailroadpodcast.com), Jimmy Deignan’s well received Model Railroad Forum (www.mrrforums.com), and well before Model Railroad Hobbyist, I was starting a “dream” Layout.  It consisted of a couple of old, war-weary saw horses holding up a 4’x8’ sheet of ½-inch Plywood, quite a bit of Bachmann EZ-Track, an MRC DC Power Pack, and a couple of Walther’s Built-Ups™ structures. That was the extent of my modeling talent, thinking I would eventually “learn about the hobby” later. After joining the local chapter of the NRHS, a member & new friend, Jim Kheener, convinced me that since I am just starting out, I should do two things:  First, check out DCC before I go any further, and second, look around the web for articles on how to weather my rolling stock and especially my structures. After a little web surfing and Google searches, I found some good info and began to think I should try a styrene kit, to start out; ‘Craftsman Kits’ were the furthest things from my mind. After purchasing & building a couple of ‘shake the box’ kits (and they actually came out ‘plumb & true’!), I thought, “Things just couldn’t get any better.” Little did I realize what a wide world of modeling I was soon to encounter…

I have to add that I love music almost as much as I love Model Railroading. Not that I can carry a tune, even with the help of a bucket, or ‘make noise’ sounding close to an old diesel truck starting up on a cold morning.  It is just that I love to listen to music, especially during work on my model railroad and ‘Craftsman Kit’ building. Mainly 70’s and 80’s Rock & Roll, but I listen to other things, as you will see below. I thought I would share a few things that I have learned about Craftsman Kits, with a few musical references:

• “I Want It All & I Want It Now”: From Queen’s power ballad, I am slowly learning patience and prioritization (not to mention some motivation to save up some $$$!). While all those annual Limited Edition Craftsman Kits and the latest of hopper cars, boxcars, and tankers look great (which I am thinking would look even better in my basement), I have to buy the things I “need” gradually for my layout, as well as those I will actually build.  Whether for future dioramas or your next layout, research carefully and do not look at taking out a second mortgage to get the ‘Full Monty’ every year.
• “Ch-Ch-Changes!” David Bowie was correct there. Both the quality of my modeling skill is changing (hopefully for the better!), leading me to change the level of difficulty of kits I choose. Those “beginner” kits will eventually not challenge me, or give me the same level of satisfaction or enjoyment they did when I first started out. I am enjoying my journey as I am growing in the hobby and encourage you to look at where you are now and where you will be in the hobby. Remember, “Time may change me, but I can’t change time.” We should all be working towards getting better and growing in the hobby – if not, we may get bored with it and take up something more stressful… like knitting.
• “Everybody Makes Mistakes, Everybody Has Those Days”: As much as I hate to admit it, I should listen to Hannah Montana. While I’ve been to several clinics and shows, as well as the fact that I’m now working on my fifth wooden Craftsman Structure kit (admittedly, they are small ones), I constantly remind myself that when things do not go right, take a break, shake it off, and when I think I am ready, get at it again.
• “Before you accuse me, Take A Look At Yourself”, Eric Clapton – Ol’ Slowhand has it right. If your kit does not turn out like the pictures on the box or on the web, take a moment to see if you followed the directions, before you go ranting to the manufacturer. Also, see Hannah’s advice (above).
• “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction”, The Rolling Stones: While I know it takes time to create an Award-Winning Model, I never put that philosophy towards the kits for my own layout. Craftsman kits are kits that take some time and some effort, with the “get out of it, what you put in to it” philosophy.  Seeing the photos on the MRR Forum of several “contest quality” pieces, I know that with patience & practice, I can get those same results for my buildings.
• “Moonlight Sonata” by Beethoven – I know, it is a bit of a reach, but the title made me think a little about two things I have learned.  First, proper lighting has a big affect on how your models will look and how well you can see, whether you are young or old (like me).  Second, if it’s late and you’re tired, and you are contemplating working on that ‘showcase’ kit you want to place front & center on your layout, or enter it into a contest – DON’T. Get out of the hobby room. If you do not, you will regret it in the morning.
• “I Get By with A Little Help from My Friends”, the Beatles. As my kids would say, “True that.” I have met some excellent modelers through the MRR Forum, who I can count as friends, both in and out of the hobby. They have helped a lot, with suggestions, tips, and tricks to make my Craftsman Kit and Layout-building experience more enjoyable (and much less stressful). If computers, blogs, and forums are not your thing, then ask around about local clubs or groups, or mention your hobby to friends and neighbors.  You will be surprised how many people are ‘closet Model Railroaders’ or kit builders, or always wanted to be, but were afraid to ask! Don’t forget to check out Model Railroad Hobbyist, for a list of shows that may have “how-to” clinics, to help you figure out that hard to finish (or even hard to start) model railroad project.

Would love to hear some additional ones from you guys.

Thanks for letting me 'rant'.

Norm