Greetings to all for the start of 2025!   I hope everyone is safe and well.

 

We're in the midst of building work to adapt our new abode and make it more accessible.  I'm not sure how much modelling will take place in the coming months, as there'll be a whole pile of sorting out to do when it is completed.  Much as I'd like to prioritise a layout project, that's not the most realistic goal for me to set at the moment. 

 

Nevertheless, several things recently have convinced me there is value in setting some practical and realistic forward looking objectives to help me get the most from our hobby, and that's the subject of this blog post.

 

A video by Jason Jensen I was watching the other day includes an interesting reflection on the topic of setting objectives, starting at the 10:00min mark:

 

 

(If you're not familiar with Boomer Diorama and his work, I would very much encourage you to check it out, here.)

 

Not convinced?  This one was 'on the button' for me - if you have any sort of "stash" of kits, you may be able to guess which direction this goes in.

 

 

So where am I at?  I'm nearly done finishing a couple of magazine freebie Metcalfe Kits I've been given, but what's next?

 

1.  Finishing the kits I've started:

 

 

These four are in various states of completion.  The two H0 kits at the rear were intentionally left unfinished when we moved house last Summer to avoid damage to any details in transit - so I really ought to finish them now.  The other two were paused and put away over the Christmas break, although I suppose the Polsue barn could have been used as a stable for a nativity, while the Noch Edelweiss Inn could have displayed the traditional "No room" sign too I guess?

 

The trick when completing kits is not to use it just as an excuse to buy some more - that'll be the challenge if I finish these!

 

2.  Solving the Neustadt Riddle:

 

 A lightbulb moment while watching a video by @James Hilton gave me a way to use my large Faller Neustadt Station Kit, discussed in my previous blog entry here and now ready for the project list:

 

 

(The unlit compartment hides the motor unit, as there is limited space underfloor)

 

I have some wood cut to 53" and 19" from baseboards I'd started in our last home, just right for a diorama here.

 

 

While operation may be limited, atmosphere can be maximised, as James demonstrates in this short video:

 

 

Building the Neustadt kit may move into 2026, but the 641 Coradia unit certainly meets the requirement for getting started, as well as my interest in having a model of a contemporary Continental prototype despite my lack of space.

 

3.  More German modelling:

 

Almost a decade ago now I started getting a bit more active in the hobby, making some of the static budget Dapol ex-Airfix / Kitmaster models from our local model shop for a mantelpiece display.  They're long gone now, but it perhaps explains why I've been drawn to the Revell range of German steam locomotive kits.  This was my Christmas present:

 

 

4.  Narrow Gauge:

 

This Peco Laser cut OO kit caught my eye:

 

 

It was initially released as part of Peco's TT:120 product range launch, and is now available in OO (with the addition of an interior).  Having described the TT offering as "perfect" this was one I couldn't resist.  Without a raised platform, I think it could work really well for freelance Narrow Gauge.

 

5.  New developments for Pagosa Junction:

 

Last year I tried both Laser Cut and more traditional wooden Craftsman kits, and found the Laser Cut kits more to my liking.  Neverthless, the quality of Craftsman kits continues to attract.  This kind of quality can now be achieved with 3-D printing, and a company called "Keep it Rusty" had a stand at the Warners / BRM NEC show in November showing kits inspired by exactly the kind of high-end US modelling that always grabs my attention.  This small boiler house will fit well next to the Depot - another diorama beckons!  (see here as well):

 

 

Plenty to go at then!  I don't anticipate posting so much this year - I aim to use my time working through my stash instead!  Although I am having a go at the Layout & Track Design Festive Challenge 2024-25 to keep the old grey cells ticking over.

 

So that's where I'm at.  As always, I make no claims to be an expert, or even a good, modeller, but I do enjoy our hobby, and I hope to be able to look back in twelve months and see what I got done.  And, if I need a final prompt to get going...

 

 

Have fun, and thank you for having a read of this year's ramblings.  As always, let's see where we get to Keith.