2015 Resolutions, and the Home Hobby Shop

This year I resolve to:

1. Finish more projects than I start.
2. Lose 20 lbs by my 40th birthday (May 22)
3. Spend no money on my trains.

The first and the third go together - it is time to build strictly and solely from my HHS, my Home Hobby Shop.  I took a look in my closet of kits and determined I would do what I already suspected I could, that is, build, to completion, many kits without having to purchase a single thing.

Yes, that includes paint and glue.  Couplers and wheel sets.  Detail parts, supplies and tools.  None should be needed to complete many kits 'in stock', and I have these things handy already.  Pictured below is the closet in my train room.  Below the shelf are two white 'Helmer' drawers, full of tools and supplies.  On the shelf is my portable workbench, on which sets the Red Mountain Mine mentioned in a previous post.  Nope, still haven't put on the remaining rafter tails. 

Above the shelf are miscellaneous non-railroad things in need of fixing; a statue that needs gluing back together, etc.  Above that are more drawers of parts and supplies, including some of my son's N-scale in need of repair (mostly couplers).  And above that are the boxes of engines, rolling stock and structures.  And trees.  Two boxes of super trees material. 

Down below next to one of the Helmers is a plastic box containing everything necessary to build a static grass applicator.  Not pictured are all the scenic materials for the layout, and track and turnouts and turnout controls.  Before the end of last year I bought some gold-n-rod rod & tube so I could install more turnout machines, along with the chicken-head knobs for the controls.

Yep, I should be set for this year...and truthfully the next two or three.  But I am only resolving to spend nothing THIS year.  I may or may not write another article for MRH...partly because I STILL haven't heard back about the last one, even though I've contacted them THREE times, but also because I would rather just build without the pressure of having to take super-great photos each step of the way.  The money is not an issue.

There is one exception to this resolution...my eldest son's N scale layout.  I may need to buy some terminal strips and wire....but that's another post!

Happy New Year, and Happy Model Building!