It's Summer break and now that sports and activities are winding down, Brett is getting some more time back at the bench and layout! This week we pulled off the second live stream of the podcast and you can watch the replay here: https://www.youtube.com/live/TWRqKsBErlI?si=LF1eRjn1x8oyYnQq

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Catch Bench Time #210, our first ever live stream episode! Join Todd & Brett as we dive into the world of scale modeling, discussing our latest projects and updates after a brief spring break. We cover various aspects of the hobby and share our tentative plans to attend the AMPS 2025 International Convention in Camp Hill, PA (May 15th - May 17th). Tune in for the usual banter, modeling insights, and maybe a few live stream hiccups!

This week we had the pleasure of having a long-time listener and supporter of the podcast, Matt Probst on the show to share with us his history and journey in model railroading and how he has really exploded onto the scene of our hobby online by putting together some amazing scenes and work on his layout! The other great thing about having Matt on the show (which was long overdue) was that he is literally our neighbor as far as the hobby goes! He grew up practically down the street from us and it was long overdue to have him chat with us and tell us what he's been up to.

Matt also recently started a model railroading YouTube channel and it's taking off as he shares his techniques and layout progress with the world. Check it out, he's making some pretty awesome videos and sharing a lot of great tips & answering questions about scenery and more on his channel. Link to Matt's My HO Scale of Model Railroading is here: https://www.youtube.com/@mattprobst2321

Episode artwork credit to Matt Probst

Welcome back to the show James A Powell of Dirt Spot.7 and Monster City Studios! This week we had a blast talking with James about setting scenes, working with limited resources or forcing yourself to do more with less, and the fun and differences of the various types of detail parts that are available now. We also got super into the colorized historical videos of cities from the early 1900's. Check out this great YouTube channel that colorizes old historic videos:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1W8ShdwtfgjRHdbl1Lctcw

Make sure to follow all of James pages to check out everything he is up to here:

Dirt Spot.7

Monster City Studios

We really don't have much to say about this week's episode other than it was full of some really off the wall topics and we just let it rip!

The rest of the episode was... Well you just gotta listen because we were all over the place on this one!

Ouch! This week on Bench Time, Brett shares the gory details of his recent encounter with a miter saw, a cautionary tale for all hobbyists. (Spoiler: fingers and spinning blades don't mix!) We'll also dive into some inspiring model railroad layout discussions, exploring creative design and construction techniques. And to keep your projects looking their best, Todd's here with invaluable tips and tricks for maintaining your paint brushes and paints, preventing that dreaded gunk buildup. Whether you're a seasoned modeler or just starting out, this episode has something for everyone – just maybe keep your fingers away from power tools while listening! Tune in for laughs, lessons, and a little bit of shop talk.

This week's episode is packed with exciting updates from our world of model railroading and model building. We dive deep into the latest transformations of our layout. Brett's been hard at work adding hills, planning a serene "wooded" area, revamping the wharf, and developing the intricate downtown/city section.

Then, we check in with Todd on his epic, never-ending train station project. He shares his recent progress and discusses the details of his latest modeling endeavors. Plus, Todd recounts his experiences at the Great Scale Model Train and Railroad Collectors Show, sharing insights and highlights from this must-attend event for any model railroading enthusiast. Join us for a dose of inspiration and practical tips for your own layout!

Welcome back to Bench Time with Wiley's Scale Modeling! In this episode, we sit down with the talented duo behind Mudd Creek Models, Frank and Natalie. We delve into the world of laser-cut wood structures and detail parts, exploring their passion for creating incredibly realistic N and HO scale components. From intricate buildings to essential windows and doors, Mudd Creek Models offers a fantastic range of products to elevate your layout. Join us as we chat with Frank and Natalie about their design process, the challenges of laser cutting, and their commitment to quality. Whether you're a seasoned model railroader or just starting out, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration.

Check out Mudd Creek Models' website for their full product line: https://muddcreekmodels.com/

And be sure to follow them on Facebook for the latest updates: https://www.facebook.com/groups/289147449717697/

There are no affiliate links or paid promotions by this manufacturer. This information and links in this podcast are all to pass along a great manufacturer in the hobby for you to enjoy or pass along.

It’s been a few weeks since our last episode, but we’re back from the holiday break and we’ve been cranking out some great model railroading work and progress on the layout.  Brett Finished the Walthers Merchant Row I, and had been adding track to the layout, so you’ll soon be seeing some trains running soon!

We also spend too much time talking about bubblegum… But we’re proud of it. 

In addition we also talked about the price of the insulation foam that we use for the layout and how it seems to keep going up every time we need more of it. It’s crazy, but that’s the times we’re in. 

There was also a discussion about including videos in the instructions of craftsman kits, which we’re both in favor of!

Todd goes on a rant about hobby knifes and acrylic paints at the end too, so stay tuned for that!

This week we talk about the difference between going 50%, 90% or 100% on a model kit build, what it takes and doesn’t take to make a kit more realistic. Todd’s example is how he built the Merchant’s Row II kit to look almost real as if you were walking down the sidewalk in front of that building. 

Then we talk about the monstrous train station that Todd is building along with the Merchant’s Row I kit that Brett has started!

We wrap up the week talking about some plans for the background/upper section of the city on our layout!