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"Just Get it Done!'
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This is a very interesting topic. <br /> <br />I think it's safe to say the model railroads in Model Railroader are way better looking today than they were even 15 years ago. <br /> <br />With all the products available, people can focus on the overall picture more. <br /> <br />I love the idea of scratchbuilding stuff. I am currently struggling with this concept. What is scratchbuilding, really? How far do you take it? <br /> <br />MR had an article on scratchbuilding a steam locomotive in the late 90's. I have the article. The guy does an awesome job. <br /> <br />However, not everything is scratchbuilt. He still uses an off-the-shelf motor, trucks, wheels, lots of detail parts, etc. <br /> <br />It's almost as if there is an invisible line of where you "draw the line". People draw the line in different places. <br /> <br />I'm a mechanical engineer, and have designed, among many other things, motors. I know for a fact I don't want to be scratchbuilding a motor by hand. That would be crazy. So if I ever "scratchbuilt" an engine, it would not be 100% "scratchbuilt". <br /> <br />That line seems to be shifting closer to the ready-to-run side these days, I think. <br /> <br />Very interesting topic, and I don't know exactly where I stand. <br /> <br />If I were to scratchbuild a diesel, would I be able to make it look like a high quality atlas diesel? As much as I'd like to say I could, I sort of doubt it. <br /> <br />Maybe I'll have to be a structure/track scratchbuilder, but locomotive RTR'er. Maybe that's where my line will be drawn. <br /> <br />For the track though, I'll still be buying ties, rail, and spikes. So even there, a line is drawn. <br /> <br />Where's your line?
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