Vol. 1 Issue 4 - July 2005zz

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MANIFEST

Editor's Thoughts
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Walther's HO Modulars
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Why Todd needs just 15 more minutes - and why you do too!

MODELING

TomPM converts an IHC Camelback engine to Lehigh & New England.
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Matthyro does windows

END OF THE LINE

Have a little fun! _________________

Letter to the Editor

BACK ISSUES

Apr 2005
Jan 2005
Dec 2004
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Editor:
Ed Gagnier
Publisher:
Mike Pizzano
Art Director:
Val Fullard
Contributors:
Ed Gagnier
Tom MacKintyre
Todd Groettum
Robin Matthyson
Val Fullard

SIDETRACKED

Fifteen More Minutes
by TILEGUY

What could I do if i just had the time.The things I could accomplish if I only had 15 more minutes. Perhaps I may even be able to finish my layout in this lifetime!!

Sound familiar? The question of finding the time has always plagued those of us in the model railroading hobby. No, you are not alone. We all struggle with the day-in day-out demands of life and the small and large curveballs it throws our way. So why do some modelers accomplish so much while others have so much trouble just getting started? Have these people have found the secret to manipulating the clock? Own a time machine? Perhaps they are all independently wealthy.......thats got to be it right? We, the mere mortals with our 24 hour days keep waiting for the miraculous disclosure of technique, hoping that one day somebody will take pity on our efforts and give up this coveted information. Information that must have been discovered and preserved for those select few belonging to a secret society, A society who whispers behind our backs and laughs smugly at our puny efforts to manage our modeling time.

Actually, there are no secrets, no fancy mathematical equations that allow these folks a longer day than the rest of us. The answer is actually very simple. Desire, Commitment and Organization. These are the 3 keys to getting more done in your chosen hobby. Nobody can create within you the desire to sit down and accomplish something, anything. If you lack the desire you may be in the wrong hobby. Commitment requires setting aside that 15 uninterrupted minutes each and every day, (more if possible) and using that time wisely. Finally, this can only be accomplished if you are Organized!! Organizing means more than just having a place to model and the materials at hand, it means having a plan, a set of goals and working towards accomplishing these goals in small increments. When we write things down and set ourselves a task we accomplish more in less time simply because its on paper in front of us, reminding us, nagging us to eliminate that goal. This seems to work particularly well with tasks we really are hesitant to start and exceptionally well for those we look forward to.

But where do i find that 15 minutes? That is of course an individual solution. I can tell you where I found mine and it may or may not work for you. My 15 minutes comes after my second cup of coffee and before my shower each morning. It's also an hour before the wife gets up so its quiet time. I've even been known to stretch it into a full 1/2 hour. This little block of time may not seem like much, particularly if you are staring down the barrel of a loaded room sized layout. Lets take a little harder look at it though shall we? 15 minutes a day, 5 days per week = 1.25 hours per week or 5 hours per month. Thats 60 hours per year if you only use 15 minutes a day. Enough to scratchbuild several buildings or lay a couple hundred feet of track. How much could you accomplish if you worked on the layout for a week and a half instead of going to work?? It amounts to the same thing!

Now, I've used up 2 of my 15 minute sessions writing this article which cost me a good weathering job so I hope someone gets something out of this that will help you to accomplish your hobby goals and allow you to discover that its not a secret, Its just 15 more minutes!!!!