I thought you guys would like to know that the Jedi (DakotaCowgirl) surpassed the Master (Hemiadda2d) in spotting trains.... DC: Honey, look at that train in the distance. I think they are pulling Hemi: Those are roof tops. I don't know why you are distracting my drivin DC: Hemi, those ARE trains! Look! Hemi: You don't know what you are talking about....(long pause) Look DC, there ARE trains over there!! DC: I told you so! I know trains after 7 years of Marriage! Hemi: Shut up. It took about 5 miles for him to start talking again. :tb-biggrin: Sorry dear! They guys need to know that sometimes wife does know trains. Where is that dancing icon when you need it! Have a nice day!
Uh oh.... You know what this means? He's spending too much time working, and not enough playing. Therefore, he must get more practice. I hereby decree that he spend some extra days railfanning! (Yeah. Right. As if anyone would take me seriously. ) Well, Hemi. I tried. Boxcab E50 :tb-wacky:
My wife is not a photographer, but she has always been very helpful in spotting good potential pictures, including when we are at a railfan site. She can spot the possibilities and leaves the rest to me. :bear-biggrin:
Face it, after a week at the fair, 200 miles of "I want Milwalkee Road", and a toddler going..."Da twain daddy..." I thought I was pretty helpful. Also, ask Hemi about the 1 for 3 shot of the hobby shops. Tee Hee. I never saw the anger come out!!!! He pouted! Hemi, those cars were all the red color but, when are you going to learn, trust the wife.
Hatch's Big Sky Hobbies ("new" hobby shop recommended by a fair-goer) Out of business. Strike 1. Stan's Roundhouse & Crafts (found during a web search for Missoula-area hobby shops) Out of business. Strike 2. Treasure Chest of Crafts: that place is jammed with every craft material known to man. The MSRP priced trains turned me off, but 2 coils of 18 yards each of brown bumpy chenille (only $5.50 a coil!) for trees, and some more ground foam later, it was one of my cheapest hobby shop visits ever. I did like the rather small book selection, however. DC talked me out of a copy of Milwaukee Road in Color, one with Lines West emphasis. If you want a great book selection, go to Caboose Hobbies in Denver, or Jim's Junction in Billings, MT. It doesn't get much better than that.
Ouch. I had not heard that Hatch's closed. But I did warn you about Treasure Chest being full list price. Anyhow, is the book noted above, the Jim Boyd one? "Trackside..." Someone back east sprained a brain cell there, as it's only about 1/2 Lines West. The rest is Lines East. Apparently anything west of the Mississippi is "west" to some people. The Color series, for out west you want Volume 5, and then 6 when it's released. Also, get Under Milwaukee Wires. And that's it for MS Books. Boxcab E50
As it applies to Milwaukee Road, "Lines West" refers towest of Miles City, MT. Ken, I think it was that trackside book. Full list price. That's ok, the bumpy chenille will make hundreds of trees, something I'll need by the thousands. As an aside, I did manage to rough-in Tunnel 7 with foam on Friday.
"Selective editing" I used "Selective editing" just like Mrs. Train does to me :tb-tongue: Hemi I think she is right. again.
Officially, on the Milw RR, the line of demarkation was Mobridge, South Dakota. Where their western extension began. Boxcab E50
Gotcha. I had to go back to TC for more bumpy chenille. I have 180 yards of brown, tan, dark brown and gray stuff. Spent about 22 bucks for all. Each 45 yard coil should build many hundreds of trees. Don't call asking for some for a week or so--I cleaned them out of the usable colors!
:w20z6q: Listen to him!! Trust me, my boys have been making trains like you wouldn't believe!!! Between that and the foam all over my house, I don't think we will ever see this layout finished. That was a good price for those bumpy things though! I didn't mind spending money on those because it keeps the kid busy for awhile! TC was a really nice hobby shop. Something for everyone. Even the child loved the little layout! He just screamed for MORE MORE MORE MORE!!!:tb-hissyfit:
And lil' engineer just would not get into the car. Flatly refused. So I took hime in for a few more minutes. And then he was OK.
And everything between Chicago and San Bernardino is Fly-over country. East coasters would consider Chicago Flyover country, but they are often forced to stop at O'Hare.
DC Much you have learned. Much more have you to go. Impressed we are. (couldn't resist doing a Yoda impersonation). Hemi- be fotunate. When my sons were younger, they loved to see Dad's trains run. Now, they couldn't care less. Hopefully your little engineer will keep the love for the hobby well into adulthood.
