A little New Year's Stock-taking

 

Will Whittaker photo

It's normal to look around at the turn of the calendar and assess what one did and/or what one set out to do. Last year did not go at all according to plan and I believe that this year cannot be any more unpredictable or worse than last year was. One thing I can do to create some certainty, knowing that there will be plenty of the alternative, regardless, is to set a few realistic goals. One caveat: these are not Speedwitch-related, as those will occur on a separate path and trajectory with their own peaks and troughs. These are all personal projects.

Without further fanfare:

• Bike 3,000 miles
• Finish 12 of my in-progress freight cars from the following list (and blog about the results here):
1. PRR F29 flat car (F&C)
2. New Haven 1937 AAR box car (IMWX)
3. Chicago Great Western 1937 AAR box car (Chicagoland RPM parts set)
4. PRR G22 gondola (F&C)
5. GTW reefer (old Norwest/Brian Pate kit)
6. USAX Emergency tank car (Tichy kitbash)
7. MP Lines 52' gondola (Sunshine)
8. NP and SP&S flat cars (Speedwitch; twofer listed together)
9. SP O-50-13 tank car (Athearn kitbash)
10. T&NO Emergency design gondola (F&C kitbash)
11. CG 50' 1-1/2 door box car (old Speedwitch kit)
12. M-K-T single sheathed box car (old Speedwitch kit)
13. at least one Shake-n-Take project (Cocoa Beach freight car projects)
• Complete benchwork for switching layout (there will be separate posts about this as I had to shift direction from the Ikea Ivar solution due to some sizing issues... all will be revealed)
• Lay track for said switching layout
• Complete two structures
• Develop a true skill/facility with solid modeling tools and 3D printing, as opposed to mere dabbling

Happy New Year... What are your plans?