This is a little off topic in one sense- it is not model railroading- but it is about trains, well, a game about trains anyways that I think is pretty cool.

The game? Yardmaster Express- a new offering from an indie publisher, that funded recently-ish on kickstarter and should be available soon.  Here is my review: 

If you like games at all, even the light family -fare kind of games, you should check it out! 

I've been working on the railroad, at odd hours of the day! 

To see progress on my little small layout adventure, check it out on my blog here: http://joshuadewolfe.wordpress.com/2014/10/17/the-state-of-the-layout-report/

There are lots of pictures (18 total) so if you have a slow or limited connection-you've  been warned.

http://joshuadewolfe.wordpress.com/2014/10/07/tea-time-a-brief-manifesto-on-the-benefits-of-tea-or-idea3-mr/

I like tea. (I am just not a coffee person) 

Now, my tea enjoyment can go beyond the cup...... and onto my model railroad! (Part 3 of my "Low (or No) Cost Ways to Enjoy Your Hobby" series)

Cardstock is an essential material for frugal modeling. But, how to find it. It won't likely just appear. It takes some scrounging and thrifting, but the effort is worth it. Join me as I share some of my favorite sources for this versatile material, and some ideas for using it: http://joshuadewolfe.wordpress.com/2014/09/12/idea-2-in-search-of-cardstock-mrbg/

In case you can't tell, I am getting a little excited for the newest addition to the Family roster. Probably be a little while until the #2015 can pull her own weight, though. 

Just another box of train set junk here. Usually not much to see here- clunky boxcars, old track, etc. Nothing work keeping, right? 

I was browsing through my bookmarks today, as I was working on a layout project. Along the way, I found a reminder about why I craft. 

http://joshuadewolfe.wordpress.com/2014/08/06/crafting-on-the-cheap/

You can find the inspiration for this post here: http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/5798

Let's face it- we all like bridges. I would guess that most of us have at least one on our layouts. 

I am not immune to this phenomenon, as I added a bridge to my layout last night: http://joshuadewolfe.wordpress.com/2014/08/03/the-bridge-to-somewhere/

We all have those big projects that stare forebodingly at us. You know the ones we put off, etc. Sometimes, they aren't as big as we thought, and we just need to tackle it one bit at a time. 

I have been starting on structures for my layout and it is slow going, but it has been going well. 

http://joshuadewolfe.wordpress.com/2014/07/18/bit-by-bit-board-by-board-card-by-card/

What is it about making something that is so intriguing? Is it worth spending more time to make something yourself? 

Join me as I discuss crafting/scratchbuilding here. Also, feel free to chime in here or on my blog- what is it about scratch building that appeals to you, or scares you away?