Finding Time for Trains and Managing Projects - Dan's Backshop December 2023

[@kevingreenmeister]

Happy New Year, Don't miss any of your videos, keep them coming.

[@DanielCortopassi]

Thanks so much! There will be more this year. Happy New Year and thanks for watching!

[@canyonpast]

Great video, thanks for sharing.

[@DanielCortopassi]

You're welcome. Happy New Year and thanks for watching!

[@hunterIII-vr4nq]

Thanks Dan! Honestly can't think of any adjectives for the first part of the video. So, blessings from Japan to you, Nichole. and family!

[@DanielCortopassi]

We're so glad you liked the video. Thanks very much for watching!

[@jamesnicholas7180]

Happy New Year! Thanks for sharing.

[@DanielCortopassi]

You're welcome. Happy New Year and thanks for watching!

[@riogrande5761]

I can relate to delays which keep model train goals from being reached. My wife and I bought a bank owned home on a decent sized property. Between landscaping, house remodeling and finishing a basement all have eaten tons of time. The first 2 years in the house we DIY remodel the kitchen and finished the basement. Benchwork started going up in the 3rd year. Of course going through a divorce sets you way back as well which happened some years before hand - raises hand. I don't have really any project engines but I don't have much hobby time with all those other things that are ongoing. So much so that I often take PTO time off from work just to work on the layout. So one thing I'm doing is trying to get more locos that are DCC/Sound equipped that can be used without a lot of time and sell of models that would take time to get layout ready. Time keeps slippin, slippin, into the future!

[@DanielCortopassi]

Our house has been the source of a lot of delays. What was supposedly "turnkey" was not, and we've had to do a bunch of remedial work. I am making progress on the layout room again, which is great, but I was hoping to have been years into the actual layout build by this point. Yes, time keeps marching on, and we're not getting any younger. I'm still grateful to have the space, and we'll get there eventually. Thanks for watching!

[@riogrande5761]

@@DanielCortopassi You got that right. Maybe play some Steve Miller band music while working on the layout room! ;-) Hopefully this year will be the year you get that room finished. Do you plan to put in a ceiling with LED lighting? Based on some clues, I'm guessing you look younger than you are - and as you said, we're not getting any younger! I'm hoping to get some time in on that sanded grout scenery base after work today. I have to seal it in place with some diluted flat Mod Podge. Thanks for responding.

[@user-sv4pj5jl8n]

Dan and Nichole, Happy New Year. Looking forward to the craftsman kit builds. This past November I bought some LaBelle kits and am looking forward to assembling them this year.

[@DanielCortopassi]

I think the only other craftsman style rolling stock kit I ever had was an N scale boxcar from decades ago. That one is long gone. When and if I get around to working on these I'm sure I'll make videos about it. Happy New Year and thanks for watching!

[@aarongumbinger]

Well said Dan, I totally agree that I feel very lucky to be involved in model railroading as a hobby. My goal is to at least have something to see my trains running even if it’s a temporary track and plan for the future (I’m basically starting from scratch after years of being away from the hobby) - I can also relate to your “retail therapy” for buying trains but based on other reasons and realizing sometimes it’s better to appreciate some really interesting models then a need to actually own them…Alway enjoy and appreciate your videos with Nichole. Best wishes for a great new year.

[@DanielCortopassi]

I've done a lot of temporary track layouts, which we've enjoyed. Before we got cats Nichole and I had a couple setups on the floor. I think trying to appreciate things without buying is a great idea. I'm trying to do more of that, though I do still buy a few models. We hope you have a great new year, too! Thanks for watching!

[@mikedowell8978]

Happy new year nichole Dan 🐂

[@DanielCortopassi]

Happy New Year to you, too! Thanks for watching!

[@hond4srule]

I'm a sucker for a good locomotive deal just as you were. Wouldn't hurt just to see what you got 😂

[@DanielCortopassi]

Someone said once that they're kind of like puppies (or maybe kittens), and you want to take them all home. Anyway, some of mine need to be put up for adoption. I'll be selling stuff that hasn't been worked on yet, so basically just stock models in the box. When I get around to setting that up I'll let everyone know. Happy New Year and thanks for watching!

[@GrandTrunkWestern85]

Dude I'm super interested in scooping up one of your models!!! Especially since you got me into the SP.

[@DanielCortopassi]

Thanks for letting me know. Just FYI, I'm only selling stuff I haven't really worked on yet, not finished models. Many of them would be good for SP, though. Thanks for watching and Happy New Year!

[@154Colin]

My New Year's Resolution is to NOT make a resolution. Then you can't break it, or them, and; Therefore, you have noting to explain nor fell guilty about. Works for me.

[@DanielCortopassi]

Exactly. Happy New Year and thanks for watching!

[@NicksCollectableCreations]

Ya know, I like super detail models, but I grew up with Athearn blue box and details west stuff to make them what you wanted, so I don't mind less detailed stuff. I love life like Proto 2000 stuff and Athearn RTR, Bachmann spectrum and that is really enough for me, and the cost now days of stuff is really not what I want to pay. I have messed with DCC and sound, but I just like the model to run around the layout, so DC works fine for my small room. N scale is much more manageable than HO scale too. I actually love running some vintage cars, like from the 50's or 60's. I like the charm. Thanks for a year of wonderful videos! I hope you get to building your layout in 2024!

[@DanielCortopassi]

It sounds like you're enjoying the hobby and that's what counts! I still like N scale a lot, and plan to do more with the Siren Creek layout, which has kind of been on the back burner for a while. And yes, I'm really hoping to get started on the HO layout this year. Happy New Year and thanks for watching!

[@hectorgill328]

Hello Dan, Can you share about the couplers and trucks used in your project for the GP15-1 California Northern. Love the show.

[@DanielCortopassi]

The HO GP15-1 has no couplers on it at the moment, as I still need to be able to remove the shell to work on it a little more to do some touch ups. The trucks are the ones it came with. I will put Kadees on it eventually when it comes time for final assembly. Happy New Year and thanks for watching!

[@Trains-With-Shane]

I'd be interested in seeing what N scale diesels you might have coming up for sale.

[@DanielCortopassi]

I have a lot of N scale that I'd be willing to re-home. I'll let everyone know when I have a place set up to sell stuff. It may be a little while. Thanks for watching and Happy New Year!

[@cherokeecoyoteoffical4625]

Id definitely be interested in what your selling

[@DanielCortopassi]

Thanks for replying to my question. When I get something set up I'll let everyone know. Happy New Year and thanks for watching!

[@robingagnon9659]

Happy New Year to you 2! sticks and sticks and sticks hahaha I never came around to do my 2 craftman kits. Not sure if I will ever will....I don't think it will come out at a level of details and finish that are now used to...

[@DanielCortopassi]

I'm glad you enjoyed seeing those. They were kind of out of the blue, and not stuff I'd probably buy for myself, but they're interesting to look at. When and if I build any of them I'll probably do videos about it. Happy New Year and thanks for watching!

[@georgedeboer8532]

Happy new years Dan! Enjoy watching your videos as I can relate to this also. Happy modeling.

[@DanielCortopassi]

Happy New Year to you, too! I'm so glad you like my content. Thanks for watching!

[@ultimateinspector4901]

I want to say thanks for all of your reviews on the locomotives and railcars. They have helped me make decisions on several of my purchases.

[@DanielCortopassi]

I'm glad you've found the reviews helpful. There will be more coming. Happy New Year and thanks for watching!

[@markhayes6407]

You have some great projects and getting a train layout built should be fun . Happy Railroading!

[@DanielCortopassi]

Yes, I'm really hoping to get the layout going this year finally. We'll see. Happy New Year and thanks for watching!

[@scampinaround]

I’d be interested in seeing what you’re selling

[@DanielCortopassi]

Thanks for letting me know. I think I might try something other than eBay, so I will let everyone know when I have something set up. Happy New Year and thanks for watching!

[@paulkirkmanMYTRAINS]

"Lots and lots of sticks" The story of my layout I want to built. Love your program, and of course, you guys have a very Happy New Year !!!!!!!!

[@DanielCortopassi]

I'm glad you liked the program. Layouts are built with bigger sticks, usually, and we don't have any instructions. We're on our own. I'm looking forward to hopefully starting mine this year if all goes well (we'll see). Happy New Year and thanks for watching!

[@mikechristensen2099]

Always enjoy. Thanks for continuing to make videos. Happy New Year.

[@DanielCortopassi]

I'm glad you're enjoying the channel. Happy New Year and thanks for watching!

[@pacset2]

Very cool Dan Happy new year 2024 to the 2 of you Highball on the air

[@DanielCortopassi]

Happy New Year to you, too and thanks for watching!

[@Beux3751]

I think if you showcased your models you want to sale it would be awesome. I know I would be interested

[@DanielCortopassi]

I am thinking of trying something other than eBay, but when I get it set up I'll let everyone know. Thanks for replying. Happy New Year and thanks for watching!

[@davidl.miller8168]

Dan, Nice video. I remember that Thrall door box car kit. Back when I was modeling in HO Scale, I wanted to try one just to test myself. It was actually easier than I anticipated. I wish I would had primed it and sanded it a few times, as the finished model did not have a true steel appearance. I hope you have a Happy New Years

[@DanielCortopassi]

Thanks for the tip. I'll remember that when I get around to working on this one. Happy New Year to you, too, and thanks for watching!

[@Steamerthesteamtrain]

Yeah, I know how you feel, 3 major appliances broke in this December, and I wasn't able to get a small circle of track for my Christmas Tree, my Mantua tank engine project got delayed from making sure I sent my Christmas presents to my friends. I also know what it's like to hoard engines, I had many old steamers back in the 2010s and a lot I couldn't fix when they broke down so in 2019 I purged many engines from my roster. But on the bright side I did get what I've been asking for for the past 3 years, Kadee Cars. BTW when you rename engines for your North Coast Railroad do you use legacy numbers or do you give them new ones? What about lore too, do you make up who is owner of said railroad and the history of it?

[@DanielCortopassi]

It sounds like you've gone through a similar thought process. It can be kind of sad but it's also kind of liberating to get rid of some models. I'm glad you got your Kadee cars. Those are really nice. When I was doing the North Coast more actively years ago, I did come up with a theoretical roster. I have been more or less using that for the newer models, like the N scale 2-8-0 218, or the N scale diesels I painted. The 4-4-0 was already numbered 4 for another fictitious railroad, and I didn't really feel like renumbering it so I just changed the lettering on the tender. I haven't made up too much of a history of the railroad, other than my original concept long ago was that it would be more or less parallel to the real Northwestern Pacific, only extending up into Oregon so that it could carry through traffic. My newer concept is maybe a little less ambitious, but it's still pretty vague at this point. Happy New Year and thanks for watching!

[@devernepersonal3636]

there are a lot of lessons to be learned from this. Not what i was expecting exactly. But a good thing. i never thought i would hear you say you were getting rid of a lot of them and stuff. But it makes sense. Have a strong group of engines you really like and a layout for them to run on. Happy New Year.

[@DanielCortopassi]

I may discuss it more in the future, but some of it also has to do with my choice of modeling Donner Pass, and the capacity of that layout if I build it as planned. I am only getting rid of project models, too, that haven't really been started yet. I'm not getting rid of any of the ones I've already done. Happy New Year and thanks for watching!

[@devernepersonal3636]

@@DanielCortopassi oh ok, that makes way more sense. but i can understand why it will be healthier and more fun for you to rid yourself of what feels like work. and yes since you are not only modeling a specific railroad in a specific year, but also a specific subdivision, it makes sense that the collection would be trimmed to what makes the most sense. Either way as long as it makes you happy and gives you more space to enjoy the hobby that is all that really matters.

[@stephenhottle6783]

Yes life has a way of getting in the way of what we really want to be doing sometimes. Since you're on the subject this is a great time to ask you about the SP consist build . Are you still planning on doing that project? Happy New Year Dan 🎉

[@DanielCortopassi]

Yes, the consist build is still a thing. It's taking longer than I'd like, but I am going to finish it. Happy New Year and thanks for watching!

[@stephenhottle6783]

@DanielCortopassi that's great to hear. Your handrails video on the B30-7 is what inspired me to subscribe to your channel and I've enjoyed all of your reviews 😀 👍🏻

[@scale_model_apprentice]

Hiya Dan, I'd be really interested in any SD45Ts you have for sale or plan to sell. Especially one thay I could convert into a super early production one. Thanks for the high quality content.

[@DanielCortopassi]

Since I'm modeling Donner the tunnel motors are in the "keep" pile. I will post my listings next time I put some stuff up on eBay in case there's anything that might be of interest. Thanks for watching!

[@scale_model_apprentice]

@DanielCortopassi Thanks Dan, I will be looking forward to seeing what's going up. Happy modeling

[@goob67896]

A box of sticks indeed.

[@DanielCortopassi]

Yes. I kind of want to build that one just to see how it turns out. Thanks for watching!

[@Dawsonsrailfanadventures74]

I am im looking for more SD45s for my freelanced roster

[@DanielCortopassi]

I have a few Kato units I am interested in sending to good homes. They may be spoken for, but if that doesn't work out then I will put them up for adoption at some time. I will make some kind of an announcement when that happens. Happy New Year and thanks for watching!

[@hectorgill328]

OOPS what would you recommend in N Scale for the GP15-1

[@DanielCortopassi]

If you mean couplers, I didn't see a recommendation on the Micro-Trains website for that engine. It looks like Micro-Trains hasn't updated their conversion list in years. I have an N scale Atlas GP15-1, but I think it still has the stock couplers on it. I'm not sure which MT coupler would work best on it. Happy New Year and thanks for watching!

[@SPSteve]

I don't see why it would be a problem for you to list your stuff for sale? I think a lot of guys would like to have something you've built. Getting rid of projects resonated with me. When I first got into the hobby I bought about 15 "new/old" Proto 2000 locomotives. Hey, they were cheap! Well, I sold all of them at the swap meet except 4 SP/SSW GP30's that I converted to DCC with sound. I recently pre-ordered 2 Scale Trains Cotton Belt GP30's that will be far superior to the Proto 2000 units. So, no more refurbs for me, I'm only going to buy new premium quality DCC equipped locomotives. I can spend that time working on the layout or building structures instead of refurbing old locomotives. We only have so much time and I want to finish my layout some day.

[@DanielCortopassi]

Thanks for replying to my question. I would only be selling projects that aren't started yet, basically just stock models in the box. I agree that with all of the accurate models that are coming out these days, the incentive for kitbashing is less. And like you, I would also like to be able to finish the layout (and I haven't even really started it yet). I still have a list of diesels I want to get through, but I'm cutting it down to a more manageable size. Happy New Year and thanks for watching!

[@SPSteve]

Happy New Year, Dan! Thanks for all the great content. I'm looking forward to what you have in store for 2024.@@DanielCortopassi