So much for plans and intentions! This past year has been full of life's curveballs and my batting average has taken a big hit. Work and family have taken precedence while I have little to show for progress on modeling projects, although some key kits and detail parts have been acquired for existing projects and several (many) new ones have been added to the stash. My wife has accused me of being a collector and the current view would lead one to agree with her. Time to change that and build something.
On the plus side, we finally have our occupancy permit for the new house that I mentioned in June (!). Moving has commenced and space is cleared for my modeling workbench. Over the next couple of weeks I should be able to move the stored kits, supplies and such while setting up the space for active modeling, so my first resolution for 2024 is to build at least three resin kits before the end of June. A Westerfield Canadian National long gondola (kit 7111) purchased in June of 2022 will be my first. After that, there are a few one piece box car kits to choose from (RCW or Yarmouth first probably) as good next steps in building my resin "muscles."
The layout configuration is becoming clear, likely an L-shape shelf by the workbench with a pulp & paper mill complex. This will be the Puget Sound Pulp & Timber plant, loosely based on the actual mill (later Georgia Pacific, now a park) on the waterfront in Everett Washington. My space will only allow a compressed portion of the mill, but it will include switching for a nice variety of my cars. I will cover much more about this plan in future posts.
The potential for another layout that will be more operational and grandchild friendly has opened up in our loft space. The intention is to have them build some nice basic cars (Accurail, etc.) so that they can see their handiwork as we play with trains together. This is a great use for many cars that I purchased before getting the rivet-counting, super-detailing, prototypical modeling bug. It also should satisfy my desire for watching some trains go around the loop. I have a track plan from many years ago that may get adapted for this endeavor.
Which leads me to my second resolution for 2024, to blog regularly. For now, I am setting a goal of 15 posts in 2024, which, given my track record over the last couple of years, is plenty to aspire to!
I really hope to get into a regular cadence of model building this year while working on the shelf layout to provide a place to enjoy completed cars. Not going to call this a resolution, but rather a goal, with the pledge to blog helping to keep me on track.
Wishing all of you a very Happy Holiday season and all the best in the new year.
