A Few Good Pens

At the moment, we're taking a much needed vacation...so, our shop is closed until after the 13th. That's not to say that some work isn't being done.


When I travel, I travel very light. One of the few things I bring with me are a sketch book and a few good pens. While I am spending the week on a beach, far from New England's icy winter, it's a great time to focus on upcoming kits. No distractions. I'm able, with no technology other than pen and paper, to flesh out several new kits that we'll be working on through out the year. A sparse setting like a beach is perfect for work like this, it's much like the blank sheet of paper I'm drawing on - other than the occasional dolphin, it's clutter free.


As you may have guessed, I offer no indication as to what those kits will be. For one thing, more than likely some ideas will be dropped, some added and some combined. It's an ongoing process that changes daily, as I work on these designs every day, one way or another.

I've also been able to continue with some plans for my layout, sketching out some potential structures and solving some operational issues. One being that I've always enjoyed modern auto rack carriers, but never had a reason to buy them. Even as I've been working on the layout recently, it didn't occur to me that I actually could use them - until a few days ago - I guess the sludge level in my brain was high enough that I couldn't connect the dots so easily, proof that I needed a vacation....here's what this caveman couldn't figure out: I'm modeling present day. I'm modeling based on the idea that all the businesses and industries served by my railroad would supply or manfacture green, or eco-friendly, sustainable products as well as alternative energy. How could I possibly use triple rack auto carriers?

Hybrid electric cars, that's how. After I patted myself on the back for this moment of clarity, I quickly got online and ordered a couple from Walthers. So, I plan on modeling a Toyota plant that manufactures the Prius, even though they don't have a plant in Illinois or Iowa - it satisfies my issue with auto racks and works within the bounds of my theme. I'll have to compress this industry into some kind of background flat and accomodate at least two tracks...

That's it for now; back to the sketch book.