Back to modeling in a busy era

After a whirlwind summer and early fall, in a busy year of a busy era, the next few months offer a lot more time to get back to some of the basics.  We had an amazing number of high-impact singular events in 2023 and that time has to come from somewhere - and a good chunk of it came from modeling.

I model mostly in the evenings after the kids are in bed, or weekend mornings while everyone is getting going.  Weaving activities that require downtime - paint drying, glue curing - into active time is something I am getting better at.  

As was discussed back in the springtime, I am working with a young, small company in Garden State Modelworks and another associated company called Upstate Custom Models to help in improving the fleet on the OC.  That includes light and sound upgrades for some locomotives, along with proper paint schemes on others.  Recent fleet upgrades included Conrail GP40-2 3312, which needed new sound and lights as well as proper paint changes and detail upgrades, as well as Susquehanna SD45 3612, which got sound for the first time as well as full lights.  

When work like this is done, it makes me examine other things that I can improve.  The window glass on 3312 was fogged due to the CA I used 10 years ago when this locomotive needed windows reinstalled.  That was before I knew about canopy glue.  I made new windows from clear acrylate and replaced the old, clouded ones, securing the new parts with canopy glue for a much improved appearance. 

The 3612 got a new decoder and speaker for sound, as well as lighting.  

Part of 3312's improvements included 'Conrail-izing' the grab irons on the short hood.  Due to the cab signal box on the engineer's side, Conrail had the grabs on the fireman's side, a small but distinctive Conrail/PC/PRR feature.

New lighting installed along with a new engineer figure and the sounds, and we have a clear improvement for all to enjoy going forward.  3612 never looked or sounded so good on the OC!  

Making the most of the time available is something I consider a responsibility.  Like many notions these days it is one with a bright and positive result, and a corresponding shadow side that balances things out.  On the bright side we have a happy and satisfied family in good health, full employment, the satisfaction of the submission of a second book manuscript last week, ongoing excitement and fulfillment in the model railroad hobby - really, a very full basket of wonderful things.

The shadow side fills in the rest, always there, always helping provide contrast that shows how good the rest of life is.  Honoring that and making the most out of both bright and dark is how we can truly maximize our time in a busy era.  People often mention "I don't know where you find time for all this!" Well, when you consider the 135 minutes of commuting time each day, 95% of which is on a train, you have a big piece of the answer.  Filling most of that time with creative work on a mobile device opens all sorts of avenues to finish projects at other times.  

As we get back into the regular swing of things, I am excited about what will be possible this winter!