stutsmans – The Hills Line

Finding Focus

January 5, 2021January 4, 2021 by James McNab, posted in Philosophy

With the annus horribilis that was 2020 done, I'm hopeful that 2021 will be just a little bit better for everyone. As far as The Hills Line is concerned, the start of a new year gives me opportunity to define my goals for the layout over the next 365 days. Producing The Hills Line with … Continue reading Finding Focus

Conversation Starter

September 10, 2020August 25, 2020 by James McNab, posted in Construction

I will admit something. I don't find enjoyment in modeling locomotives and freight cars. There are obviously excellent examples of those that do, and they deserve our kudos. But it doesn't appeal to me. Locomotives and cars are one part of a larger aspect to model railroading. I can play chess with rocks and sticks … Continue reading Conversation Starter

Relics

September 1, 2020July 14, 2020 by James McNab, posted in Design

At the far southern end of the prototype Hills Line sits a relic of times long vanished... The Plymouth HLC-2 locomotive dates to 1928 and spent most of its life as Union Railroad of Oregon #1. After 40-some years of work as the sole locomotive on the line, it was retired and sold to Eldon … Continue reading Relics

The Case for Mockups

February 25, 2020February 18, 2020 by James McNab, posted in Philosophy

I have a love/hate relationship when it comes to making mockups on a model railroad. On one hand, it annoys me to spend time on something that I know will end up in the trash instead of on The Hills Line. On the other, I really hate redoing things I've already done, so taking the … Continue reading The Case for Mockups