I'm not quite dead yet...

[johnb]

Well, let’s face it, I still love trains, I still love to model them, I am going through a dry spell…In the last few months, I have discovered that I hate DPM kits, seriously, loathe them. I plan to find more brick laser kits because they are higher quality and easier to paint.

I built a new kit from Interurban Models and it was a nice little evening’s work, I honestly can’t recommend Volkmar’s creation too much.

This simple kit is laser cut MDF, and I painted it with the cheapest of cheap Wal-Mart craft paints and Elmer’s glue.

I also bought a Walthers Bright Boy and have been cleaning track, I have not really switched Playa Desnuda since the relocation to my office. I really can’t wait to get the track clean again.

I also went to an evil, big box crafts store that I will not name and purchased bulletin board paper to use as a backdrop. the biggest issue with it is that the pattern of the clouds repeats itself every few feet, but for a 48″x144″ backdrop for $10, I really can’t complain. I used my PVC pipe cutter to cut it down to 16 inches, and used scotch tape to attach it to the wall…

Now, a little personal news, I have started dating someone new, who, ironically has the same name as my ex. We went out to a podunk town in rural New Mexico that does not have a stoplight, yet, it has a beautifully restored Santa Fe station that is used as the local library. The have even left the worker’s “graffiti” on the walls of the freight room.

While there, I bought a print of a Stan Kistler picture of Santa Fe 2-10-0 2566 switching an industry. This will be framed and hung in the office soon.

[Chris333]

Somehow the trains are always right where you left them 

[Philip H]

I also went to an evil, big box crafts store that I will not name and purchased bulletin board paper to use as a backdrop. the biggest issue with it is that the pattern of the clouds repeats itself every few feet, but for a 48″x144″ backdrop for $10, I really can’t complain. I used my PVC pipe cutter to cut it down to 16 inches, and used scotch tape to attach it to the wall…

This is epically brilliant. And may just have solved my backdrop issues as well . . . . Was it a big box with an M or an H L?

[w neal]

My dear sir,

You didn't say this at all, I just wanted to emphasize this to those who weren't aware. There is nothing wrong with cheap Walmart craft paints. The Apple Barrel flat craft paint they sell is one of the greatest assests we have in this hobby!!! It can be brush painted, dries flat and thin, and costs less than 65 cents a bottle. Highly recommended!!

[Ed Kapuscinski]

My dear sir,

You didn't say this at all, I just wanted to emphasize this to those who weren't aware. There is nothing wrong with cheap Walmart craft paints. The Apple Barrel flat craft paint they sell is one of the greatest assests we have in this hobby!!! It can be brush painted, dries flat and thin, and costs less than 65 cents a bottle. Highly recommended!!

Holy ***** yes. My paint rack is 50% this stuff!

[peteski]

. . . . Was it a big box with an M or an H L?

Yes, why again is someone afraid to mention a store or an auction site name?  This is the Railwire, not your father's forum.  There are no evil admins here who will punish you for mentioning acutal names,  Trust me -- it's ok.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Yes, why again is someone afraid to mention a store or an auction site name?  This is the Railwire, not your father's forum.  There are no evil admins here who will punish you for mentioning acutal names,  Trust me -- it's ok.

Some of us have rather strong opinions about certain retail establishments.

[peteski]

Some of us have rather strong opinions about certain retail establishments.

Oh, like my GF who refuses to shop in the HOBBY LOBBY!       Got it!
Still, should some member here be so offended by seeing a name of the establishment (where John bought the backdrop) to leave the forum in a huff?  I think we are more adult than you give us credit for.

[thomasjmdavis]

Oh, like my GF who refuses to shop in the HOBBY LOBBY!       Got it!
Still, should some member here be so offended by seeing a name of the establishment (where John bought the backdrop) to leave the forum in a huff?  I think we are more adult than you give us credit for.

Don't let her read your emails from Con-cor, she may never speak to you again.

[Missaberoad]

Oh, like my GF who refuses to shop in the HOBBY LOBBY!       Got it!
Still, should some member here be so offended by seeing a name of the establishment (where John bought the backdrop) to leave the forum in a huff?  I think we are more adult than you give us credit for.

Never know... Some members have such a problem with abbreviations or euphemisms they have to make a point of saying something any time someone uses one... 

Reminds me of the beating a dead horse emoji used on that other forum... 

[thomasjmdavis]

@johnb - back to the subject at hand.  I think you are somewhat more alive (in term of making progress on your modeling) than I am- looks very nice.  Are those all MTL cars parked at D'amato Lumber Co? 

I have started dating someone new, who, ironically has the same name as my ex

There is an upside to this.... in that it avoids the embarrassing and/or painful error (when dating someone with a different name) of using your ex's name to refer to your current special someone.... don't ask me how I know this.

On backdrops- that's a great and simple solution and beats paying a couple hundred bucks for a custom made sky backdrop.  For things more complex than "sky with clouds" I have been pleased with backdrops from Realistic Backgrounds- they are inexpensive compared to a lot of what is out there, and have some pretty good industrial scenes- https://www.realisticbackgrounds.com/backgrounds

[peteski]

Never know... Some members have such a problem with abbreviations or euphemisms they have to make a point of saying something any time someone uses one... 

I see what you did there. 

I just find it annoying that when someone describes a technique or a source of some item, that they beat around the bush when describing where they got it.  If they take the time to write up what they did, it would make  sense to make it easy for others to be able to purchase the product by giving the source.  This pussyfooting IMO is not helping. Where is the eye roll emoji?

Abbreviations are another matter. Well known ones are ok, but some regional ones (like DELMARVA for example) result in WTF moments for many members.

[johnb]

Yes, why again is someone afraid to mention a store or an auction site name?  This is the Railwire, not your father's forum.  There are no evil admins here who will punish you for mentioning acutal names,  Trust me -- it's ok.

it's more that I don't want to admit that I spent money in a store that supports Pray the Gay Away camps when I have 2 LGBTQ kids....

[johnb]

@johnb - back to the subject at hand.  I think you are somewhat more alive (in term of making progress on your modeling) than I am- looks very nice.  Are those all MTL cars parked at D'amato Lumber Co? 

thank you, and most of my rolling stock comes from Oregon....

[basementcalling]

I see what you did there. 

I just find it annoying that when someone describes a technique or a source of some item, that they beat around the bush when describing where they got it.  If they take the time to write up what they did, it would make  sense to make it easy for others to be able to purchase the product by giving the source.  This pussyfooting IMO is not helping. Where is the eye roll emoji?

Abbreviations are another matter. Well known ones are ok, but some regional ones (like DELMARVA for example) result in WTF moments for many members.

DELMARVA I understand, what WTF is WTF? It's WFT: Washington Football Team.