Roman Ladder

Geography, sci-fi, and who knows what else.

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Weathering Cars

Here are some cars that I’ve weathered with just acrylic paints and a fine-tip sharpie.

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Want to Get Started in Model Railroading?

Guest Post by Liam Thomson

Research prototypes and maps of the era and area that you want to build, as well as scenery and realism (buying a few era-specific cars wouldn’t hurt either, as long as you’ve got the prototypes down). Go to train shows-these usually have excellent deals on locomotives, rolling stock and scenery, as well as awesome layouts. I also recommend a subscription to Model Railroader. This is an excellent magazine that gives you updates on the latest modeling products, layout tours, how-to articles on weathering and sound, and more!

https://mrr.trains.com/

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New Layout Started

Guest Post by Liam Thomson

I just came up with an idea for an add-on to my dad’s 6 x 4 HO scale Stanford and Truckee branch line. My layout is going to be larger than his (I do not know the dimensions), and it is going to be divided into sections so it can fit in our garage.

The first section is a scenic route covered with trees, which has two roads, as seen in the picture of a concept drawing (above). The road beneath the tracks connects to my dad’s layout. The crossed lines represent tracks.

My second section will contain an airport, small hills and forests, and the two roads and tracks descending. Another section is going to consist of Truckee itself, with the switchyard, industries, and trees and mountains, as well as a tunnel that is a staging track. There is also a third section, which leads to staging. Here are the three sections combined (below).

There are two other sections, all scenic; there is a loopy rectangle, which connects to the last upholstery; the other section contains an old Transcontinental Railroad tunnel, which is one of my staging tracks. The tracks then move North, into a tunnel that is another staging track. Here are the two sections put together (below).

So there you have it! These are the plans for my early 1950s HO scale project layout. Watch for updates!

Photo credit Liam Thomson and https://catalog.data.gov/dataset/usgs-1-62500-scale-quadrangle-for-truckee-ca-1955e3de7

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Sacramento

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#verysoon
https://www.instagram.com/donnthomson/p/BywFtgLlkoP/?igshid=f36erwy9ax2d

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So happy and proud to have been given my Wood Badge necker, woggle, and beads this weekend. Taking the course was one of the best things I’ve ever done.

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A fave from the Pack 48 Space Derby last night

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Seen two days ago. Win.

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Webelos about to bridge to Arrow of Light

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A model my son and I are working on.

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Latest obsession

[gifbro]

[4gifs]

Dammit, Carl!

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This time, with audio! :)

My spoiler filled thoughts on The Force Awakens.  

http://twitter.com/2MTRGuy http://twitter.com/dthomson http://projectfalcon.tumblr.com

Show Notes:

Star Wars Ring Theory http://www.starwarsringtheory.com

Star Wars: Oxygen http://www.rebelforceradio.com/star-wars-oxygen

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My review of the Star Wars: Rebels episode Blood Sisters.

http://twitter.com/2MTRGuy http://twitter.com/dthomson http://projectfalcon.tumblr.com

Show Notes:

WEG Star Wars RolePlaying Game: The Long Shot Campaign http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/The_Long_Shot_Campaign

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An introduction to to awesome Star Wars dude Sam Witwer.

http://twitter.com/2MTRGuy http://twitter.com/dthomson http://projectfalcon.tumblr.com

Show Notes:

Sam Witwer IMDB http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1022429/

Rebel Force Radio Commentaries http://www.shotglassdigital.com/artist/commentaries-with-sam-witwer/

Sam on The Comlink https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijspNzliBWk

[uketeecee-deactivated20250310]

From 1937 Woman with a ukulele sings badly and annoys little boy. Famous poster by artist Gino Boccasile ‘Le Grandi Firme—Banjo’.

[ukehunt]

That’s what you get for fretting with your thumb.

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The Millennium Falcon makes a great DJ turntable John Brownlee, cultofmac.com

You may may never be able to listen to Figrin D’an and the Modal Nodes live in the Star Wars cantina for yourself, but here’s the next best thing: a turntable modeled after Han Solo’s famous parsec-shattering ship, the Millennium…

I'm not sure how I feel about this. On the one hand: clever! On the other: nooooooo! Maybe if it were already seriously damaged or incomplete. Lotsa parts on eBay. Hmm…