Wiley's Bench Time - Model Railroading Podcast

Bench Time #190: Getting Ready to Assemble the Layout

Hey gang! We're back with Bench Time #190 and the typical internet problems that Brett loves! This week we give you all some updates on our newest work, plans for the layout, gripes, and a funny eye doctor story. Question for all of you: What are some topics that you'd like us to cover in the coming episodes? We're always willing to share our stories and what we're building but want to hear from you what are some content topics you'd like us to discuss next week?

Bench Time #189: Memorial Day Bench Talk

We hope you all have a safe memorial day weekend and take time to remember the reason we all have the ability to enjoy this holiday.

This week we're back with the usual rants and discussions about the hobby. Brett also talks about his crusty paint bin and the things we save in the hobby trying to be cheapskates.

What are you working on currently at your workbench?

Bench Time #188: Let's Get Building! The Long Awaited Return and Reboot

Hey Fine Scale Freaks! Guess what? Todd and Brett Wiley are back at the bench, and we couldn't be more excited! It's been over a year since our last episode, and boy, do we have some catching up to do.

So, here's the scoop: we've been through a lot – layout teardown, house demolition, building a new home, and finally moving back in. Now that the dust has settled, Brett is ready to dive back into the bench, and we’re both gearing up to piece together a brand new, much larger, and way improved layout.

In this episode, we’ll fill you in on what Todd’s been up to in the modeling world, including some cool new clubs he’s joined and all the latest projects he's been working on. 

We're thrilled to be back and can't wait to share our journey with you. So tune in and let's get back to some fine scale modeling fun. Happy to be back, Fine Scale Freaks!

Bench Time #187: James A. Powell of Dirt Spot.7 and Monster

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/

 

Bench Time #186: Wayman Humphrey from Pro Scale Models!

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 

Bench Time #185: Brian Wolfe from Mainline Hobby Supply

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/

Bench Time #184: Bernard Hellen of Miniprints.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.

Bench Time #183: Todd’s Canyon Fears, Snow in Water, Glue Talk, and an Eagle Nightmare

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.

Bench Time Podcast #182: Every Episode has a Porpoise

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!

Bench Time #181: Jason Jensen of Jason Jensen Trains

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!