Hopefully I am not posting too much... To that one guy on Facebook sorry, I'll only post a few videos.

This year I built two kits I had sitting in my kit cache. Both were high end craftsman kits from different eras. The first, as seen in another topic titled Shipyard at Foss, was built very similar to the kit design. This kit will be planned out from the ground up, literally.

In video one we talk about the design and how it will fit into the broader scene of two dioramas joined as one.

Let's be honest, it does not take much for a project to get the pink slip, and get set aside for another project. I could toss out a thousand excuses at this moment, and maybe, so could you.

To me a project set aside isn't really a project lost anymore. Because I have a tool to make sure I get back on track, when the fancy hits, or a commission leaves the shop. I inherited this tool from my great-grandfather, you see he was a tinkerer too.

Oh and before you think I haven't been made fun of, because of this subject, think again, I have. But I stand behind it whole heartedly.

Photography is a tricky thing. 

First, what type of camera you use demands different styles of operation. My friend Bob made a website with tips and tricks for digital and SLR/DSLR type cameras.

Bob has won many Model Railroader photography contests, with some of the most unique shots I have ever seen. Bob's style is to think outside the box. And I think you all will enjoy this website

https://sites.google.com/site/railphotog/

Sometimes, I'm not the best video maker...

Sometimes, my big nose will get in the way...

Now for some of my modeling.

I bought this kit a few months after a very close family member passed away. I knew that, someday this event was going to effect me a great deal. For years it sat on a shelf, waiting for its day to be built.

I met Ulrike Strauch (Ulee) in the usual way. I first saw some fantastic images of her work on Facebook, and simply sent her a message. What I found was a German custom builder, that is highly talented, and not afraid to try something new.

Ulee’s scenery work is well sought out, in Europe. And after this interview was completed, my friend has started creating Tree’s so realistically, that I feel we need to talk again sometime next year. She is so very talented, and I do hope you agree.

Please enjoy
 

Earlier this year I started seeing the posts of this cat from the UK, except he models the USA. How peculiar I thought to myself. So I introduced myself and asked him to have a chat with me. 

What I found is a small world, one that was very relate-able.. 

What really caught my interest though was the methodical method of this modeling wizard. Usually I am quite prepared to pick apart scenes in my minds eye, to try and figure out how he did things. However I was humbled a number of times, including the moment when he pointed out the mirror. THE MIRROR, I fell for that? Well you will have to watch to see it happen.

Rob Clark is a gentleman and a great modeller. His photographs and blog posts are an inspiration for an international crowd, an accomplishment not many can achieve. Then I noticed he was an Author here, which helped me to re-live the mirror charade, twice... 

Now since I started in this hobby, I have been a wood model kinda guy. Plastic models are a whole different beast IMHO. So talking to Ramon Rhodes is a huge opportunity for me to learn some insights into a segment of the hobby, I know little about.

Yet this segment of the hobby is probably the most popular among the young. I think that If I am going to get a better grasp on the hobby I so enjoy, I need to learn what I am missing out on. Ramon is a true gentleman, and I was honored to enjoy this chat with him.

Last week we talked to the founder of ITLA. This week we have the new owner of the company and also an advertising partner here at MRH.

Nick has been releasing new kits, also in the theme of the big city. And if anyone out there reading this, knows how to paint yellow brick realistically, please let me know. Because these kits straight out the the laser look to only need an application of clear coat to look like a very realistic yellow brick. And I hate the idea of leaving a kit unpainted, loath it.... The pet peeve of a custom painter

Thanks for watching

There are many chapters to a companies existence. The early years, first lessons, success, then sold. ITLA is exactly that type of company. 

I could talk to the owner today of the kit division, but that would ignore all the fun of the early years. And alternatively the owner of a time past wouldn't have a clear picture of the company today. Then consider they still "kind of" operate separately serving the hobby in their own way.