This week we had James A. Powell on the show for a long-overdue appearance! James talked with us about some exciting new things he's working on including a soon available pre-order of a new book he is featured in from White River Productions. https://shop.whiteriverproductions.com/products/swts

NOTE: Brett was incorrect about White River productions and the Civil War History book, it was not WRP and instead a different publisher with a similarly scenic sounding name.

We started a TikTok, it may be available for the next week, or the next decade... who knows. But follow us there! https://www.tiktok.com/@wileysscalemodeling

Follow James A. Powell's different pages and adventures at the links below:

https://www.facebook.com/MonsterCityStudios

https://www.facebook.com/DirtSpot/

Wayman Humphrey from Pro Scale Models on Facebook, YouTube and even TikTok joined us for his first guest appearance! We talked about everything from his intro into scale modeling, his love of art, music, tattooing, and everything in-between. Make sure you check out Wayman's art and videos at the links below. We can't wait to have him back for some deeper model building and bench time talks!

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2LXm7buhIQJzcxylBzhUMg

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/proscalemodels 

This week we talk to Brian Wolfe from Mainline Hobby Supply! This is one of our favorite hobby shops in the PA / MD region and if you have a chance to stop by when you're in the area, definitely pay them a visit!

Another interesting thing we hear from Brian about his history with the hobby shop is how he literally had his blood sweat and tears in the shop build. It's these kinds of places that we need to keep in business as the hobby evolves.

At the end of the show we go into a little news and history of the East Broad Top Railroad. They're operating and running Engine No 16 which was recently restored. Check out more about the EBTR here: https://eastbroadtop.com/

Welcome back for Bench Time #184 where we featured Bernard Hellen of Miniprints.com! We were very excited to get Bernard back on the show, and coincidentally it was almost two years to the day since we had him on last, you can catch his other episode here: Bench Time #159: Bernard Hellen of Miniprints

Bernard talks about some new developments from miniprints and how we can't believe that he's coming up on the 4th anniversary of the business!

We also discuss some of our favorite miniprints models, oddities, processes for sourcing 3d models, and some info on the new space for miniprints. You should also check out miniprints.com/halloween for some neat and unique prints!

Another point of note, is his peanut butter lid challenge (which Brett is very interested in!), and to check out his live sessions on YouTube on the 1st Wednesday of every month.

This week, Brett talks about his holiday week off and a visit to NYC and American Girl Doll store.... We also cover some measuring mess-ups (or was it), Todd's canyon fears, adding fine snow from woodland scenics to the white water of a waterfall, some more glue talk, and Todd's mishap with his fine scale eagle.

It's the holiday season, so we decided to kick back, let loose and we definitely went all over the place!

Todd discusses his Neopolitan-like build and Brett chats about the new rocks and progress on the Terminal area of the layout where he's adding a gulley/storm water runoff area.

We also talked about some more affordable plaster that a long-time listener and original guest of the show, Steve had recommended to us. The details on it, directly from an email to us from him are below:

"This is from AGES ago, but I use Durobond 45 for all my rockwork - it is a fraction of the cost of plaster in hobby stores.  Here's an old blog post on it:

https://rgsrr.blogspot.com/2013/11/enterprise-and-hesperus-scenery-update.html

For example - here's 25lbs for it - $10 at Menard's:

https://www.menards.com/main/building-materials/drywall/joint-compound/sheetrock-reg-durabond-reg-45-pre-mixed-setting-type-joint-compound/381110/p-1444445395321-c-13060.htm?tid=-6689639879862189084&ipos=2"

Enjoy!

Jason walks us through the setup process of his business, how he got off the ground what it was like when he first opened up selling kits with Jason Jensen Trains. 

Then we go over the two new kits he’s now made available, the process of coming up with the new kits, and the trials & tribulations of getting them ready for sale.

After going through the new and exciting news Jason Jensen Trains has to share, we cover the listener questions and banter more about current work, modeling talk, and more!

We covered a VERY wide range of topics this week, starting with some Halloween fun, updates on what Brett & Todd have been working on, and some plaster tips from Todd!

Vote for Brett's Cocoa Puffs Pumpkin here: https://verberdentalgroup.com/poll/pumpkin-contest-2022/ 

The last time we had Jeff Grove on the show was in March of 2021 for episode 169. This week we talk with Jeff about: 

• Layout up-date, where he's at currently with his double-decker layout. The top level is 1945 era; bottom layer is 1970's. Coal mining & lumbering.
• New Kit: Cape fear Supply Company. 
• New Kit: from Jason Jensen.
• New Kit from Frank Salondino Mud Creek
• Craftsman Courtyard at Timonium, MD

This week's photo credit: Carolina Craftsman Kits - Jeff Grove

We summarize our trip out to Oklahoma, Todd goes on a rant, we talk about cats on a plane and Brett gives you insight on how he finds time to work in the workshop with his busy work/life schedule!

Brett’s been working on Pap’s Pizza, a new road that follows an old railroad grade, and he goes off into a whole story of the red light district which turns into a funny and typical story of the podcast. I mean, what 40’s city didn’t have a little shenanigans going on? He also discusses the recent 3D printing of the pallet stacks and end-of-the-line track buffers.

Todd goes into his recent work on his current build and then derails on the whole hobby shop rant and talks about his scenery from the current section of the layout that he’s working on!

Then we go into some modeling tips, some were funny, and the others were mildly valuable. Take what you want, and laugh at the rest.

Brett also goes into his recent conquering of the Paqui One Chip Challenge… It was a ride of spicy, hot, sweaty emotions. 

After all of the modeling content, we spend the next part of the show going over our takes and opinions on the Top 25 in College Football after week 1! Hopefully, if you’re a college ball fan, you’ll stick with us through our wild and crazy chat about the early season of College Football!