Product Review - Bar MillsModel Works Craftsman Kits

I have a pretty vast collection of Fine Scale Miniature kits awaiting the day I dust them off for the build. I find that George Sellios is the best in the business, hands down. If you have seen his layout in countless model railroad magazine articles or have built any of his kits you will agree.


But recently I have been purchasing Bar Mill Model Works kits. This company nestled in Bar Mills Maine is really impressive. They are housed in a reproduction of a railroad station and from what I have seen on their videos (on their website) have a really sound processes. The folks that work there are true professionals.

The majority of the kits they offer are under 100 bucks, mostly in the 30 t0 60 range with some "super kits" as well. The kits are simple to build (under 8 hours typically), they have unique designs and really make for enjoyable bench time.

The kits that I have purchased so far consisted of laser cut panels, some of which are adhesive backed, precut rafters (now that is nice), finely detailed castings (even better), and excellent humorous instructions.

"I tell you what", there is no fighting these structures to get everything squared and plumbed. Its smooth sailing for both the novice as well as the pro.

Their website is www.barmillsmodels.com and I encourage you, if you have 30-40 bucks, treat yourself to a great time.

For their consistent quality, unique designs and castings, very reasonable cost, and just generally cool approach to the business I give the 5 out of 5 lanterns.... Great job!

Image of the Month

This is a famous scene from Buster Keaton's "One week" where the couple is forced to move their house and of course of doing so, it gets stuck on the railroad track... well the rest is priceless..

Hearing the piano playing at the front of the theater...


The impending doom as the locomotive approaches...

.


The relief as it misses



But unfortunately it was a double main line...

From My Workbench

Greetings everyone, I just finished up my MMR CAR AP entries number 3 and 4.


To obtain the Master Model Railroad Car Builder Certification you are required to build a total of 8 cars of various styles. 4 of the 8 are required to be scratch built, and of the 8, 1 has to be a passenger type car. With that said, I have completed 4 of the 8 required. These next two cars will supplement the HoN3 flat cars that can be seen on the blog.

This water tank car is a HoN3 style wooden tank car towards the end of its life. I scratch built just about everything on this car excluding the trucks and couplers. This was also my first attempt at mold making and casting my own parts. The dome as well as the end pieces of the tank are custom made using silicon and plastic resin. A lot of fun actually.

I have also learned some really cool ways to mimic rust. This technique was developed by Brett Gallant of Sierra West Models of whom I recently met at the LSR NMRA regional convention. I really like the technique and Brett outlines how to do this on his website. While your their take a look at his craftsman's kit his offers for sale. These kits are out of this world.







This next car was really something that morphed into what is is now, a blacksmith car. I fully in tended on building a gondola but when I placed my first side on the side I stumbled across another blacksmith car on online. One thing lead to another and this is what I came up with.

I outfitted the interior workbench,forge, tools, coal bin, and even a cuspidor. I enjoyed these builds and hope that they will merit at my next NMRA meeting.

4 more cars to go... Stay tuned...