Well that's a bit of an Ooooppps

 

The launch of the Modelu figures has been very successful, particularly with the Test Track article in the latest Railroad Model Craftsman.
However, this morning, I discovered a rather serious booboo on the website.
The figure prices listed, show the British Pound value in USD.
So I will be spending a few hours fixing that error.
Not sure how that one got by us, but there you have it.

And we're live!

 The website for Modelu figures is now live and taking orders
https://ymw-modelu.com/

The site is not fully complete and there are items to be added. 
That will be tasks for the coming weeks
I will have a large selection of figures at the St Louis RPM next weekend as well.
See you there

New items in time for the St Louis RPM

 It's been both frustrating and exciting in the YMW shops.

For reasons I won't go into, the website for the Modelu figures has been delayed many months. At this time I still don't know when the website will be active.
However I will have a selection of Modelu figures available for sale at the St Louis RPM at the end of this month.

In the good news department, we have 5 new kits that will be released at the St Louis RPM.
The first 3 were originally Sunshine Models kits that have been reworked. Made into one piece bodies and have had custom photoetch details created along with new running boards and all new decal artwork from National Scale Car.

YMW-137 SP B-50-12A

YMW-138 NYC 40' steel rebuild

YMW-139 NYC 1 1/2 door raised roof rebuild

And 2 all new resin kits. One piece resin cast bodies, custom etchings , TMW trucks and all new decal artwork from National Scale Car

YMW-140 Great Northern 50' rebuild single door

YMW-141 Great Northern 50' rebuild double door

Each kit will retail for $65.00 USD and will be available through the website shortly after the RPM

And as a wee bit of a teaser
Here's a shot of a project we've been working away on slowly for a couple of years now;

A helium tank car kit.
This has been a tricky project trying to get the details just right.
At this time we're looking at multimedia kit, pressure cast resin components, photoetch side sheets, laser cut running boards and 3D printed trucks.
No firm release date as yet, too many variables in the various supply chains, but I'm hoping early next year.

See you in St Louis!

Big news!

 I'm thrilled to announce that Yarmouth Model Works will be the first "stockist" in North America to stock the Modelu line of figures
https://www.modelu3d.co.uk/

Initially I will be only stocking the North American figures, mostly in HO, but some O scale as well.
Everything in the product line can be ordered though

These are simply the nicest figures available today, which is why I decided to import them.
It will take a few weeks for the website to up and running, as well as for initial inventory to arrive from the UK.
Bookmark YMW-Modelu.com and checkin in a few weeks.

Let's talk about paint

 As many of you know, I'm a big user of Scalecoat paint. Sadly, Minuteman Models, has closed his doors over the winter. So there ends that supply line. I have heard that someone is looking at purchasing the product line and rereleasing the paint into the market. Only time will tell if that comes to fruition.

I still have a large inventory of Scalecoat paint for my own uses, but I feel that I have to now look to alternative paints to recommend for use on future model kit releases. Not much point in suggesting something that maybe hard or impossible to source.

Fortunately, there are many options, and I'm going to list my favorites, but first lets quickly review what I won't use, knowing that your results may vary;
TruColor. Never, ever, ever again. I had a HUGE paint fail on a large number of cars I did for a client many years ago. This paint will not adhere properly to resin. Nuff said
Tamiya. I like Tamiya for scenery and structures, but I don't trust it on resin.
Most other acrylics. Most acrylics don't bond well to resin and early generations are tricky to work with.

Now to the paints I'm having good success with

AK Interactive Gen 3

These are the first acrylics I've worked with that didn't leave me swearing half way through the paint job. And the best part is, there's a great selection of red/browns. The consistency is constant from colour to colour.

AK RealColor

This is an Acrylic Lacquer. (The nuance is lost on me too) This is lovely paint to work worth. It handles very much like Floquil or Scalecoat. I make a point of thinning this with the brand name thinner. Saves a lot of potential grief

Mr Color

My new favorite paint. This stuff is a delight to work with. When combined with Mr Color leveling thinner, delightful results occur. And it is opaque, which can not be said for many acrylics these days. Some creativity maybe required to achieve some of the red/browns we desire, but it is well worth the effort.

All three of these paints dry relatively quickly. So no more waiting a week or more for Scalecoat to fully cure.
These paint lines can be found through hobby shops that cater more to the plastic modeler, but a trip into that realm is worth the effort just to see all the delightful tools and finishing products that are available.

It is well worth exploring these alternatives. There are alternatives to our old tried and true products, and you may discover some techniques.
Enjoy

The resin elves have been busy

 Here it is
After many years of delay
The Soo Line 36' stock car

From a fabulous set of patterns by Aaron Gjermundson.
Pressure cast resin, injection molded sill steps, custom decals from Black Cat, custom etchings, laser cut running board, Tahoe Model Works Andrews truck frames and a tiny 3D printed brake staff support.

The kit will be on the website sometime next week, $60.00 USD plus postage.

Another Successful Binbrook RPM!

 It's February, which means 2 critical things,
Winter is almost over
And it's time for the Binbrook RPM!
My friend (Hunter Hughson) celebrates his birthday by hosting a group of like minded modelers to his home for a day of trains, food, laughter and comradeship. And if you don't have to drive home that day, Bourbon sours!
This year was the first since the Covid changed our lives, which only made it even more special. Along with the usual suspects, we had people in from Atlantic Canada, Quebec City, and one stalwart pal all the way from North Dakota. So good to see our friends.
The icing on the cake was the next day the distant travelers made their way to St Thomas and we put the layout through it's paces.
My guests all thoroughly enjoyed the experience of operating the Clovis branch. I enjoyed watching the layout do what it was created to do.
Entertain my friends and guests for a few hours.
It's been a very trying year health wise, and certain issues persist, but watching 4 people so thoroughly derive pleasure from my layout lifted my spirits and allowed me to forget, briefly, about my trials.
Thanks guys for making the drive, and Hunter, we'll do it again next year.
This time with Ted and Aaron! And of course the man who designed the layout, Trevor.