Wiley's Bench Time - Model Railroading Podcast

Bench Time #30 - Frank Varga of Facebook Group Model Railroad Structures & Scenery

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On this special extra episode #30 of the Bench Time Podcast our guest is super size, large structure, urban scenery fine scale artist Frank Varga. His structures are a marvel of extreme detail, and his city scenes on his layout are jam-packed with everything your mind and eyes can think of. On his tall ho-scale buildings that borderline skyscrapers in scale, there is no details spared. We’re not just talking about on the roof or on the ground level, but from top to bottom, the walls come to life, his streets and alleys you can almost hear the sounds, feel the textures.

Join us as we discuss with him how he adds the kaleidoscope of detail and creativity to his art. Listen as he explains how he views a scene as he recreates it from his eye. Plus we share some of our modeling techniques, how to use some very simple everyday materials to achieve great results, and you will feel the passion he has for his work. This podcast is a Cornucopia of inspiring ideas, and we had a lot of fun, as usual trading views on the finer points of modeling. Modelers talking with modelers about modeling!

You can find many of Frank’s builds on the Facebook Group: Model Railroading Structures and Scenery so make sure to go there and join the group and check out his and many other outstanding modelers work!

Bench Time #29 - Featuring Dave Frary

This week we are very excited to have world-renowned modeler Dave Frary on the show. We go over everything from his modeling past, his work with George Sellios, some of his photography work with model railroading and Model Railroader magazine, and a little bit about his past outside of model railroading which included set building on movies, Construction and a whole lot more. This week's episode is a long one and we were just absolutely excited to get Dave on the show, and I'm sure many modelers out there listening have seen some of Dave's work whether it be in a magazine or online or even from some of his self-published books so we hope you're just as excited too.

Dave Frary's Links:

• The Trackside Modeler
• Dave Frary's Trackside Scenery Blog

Bench Time #28 - Some catching up with Todd & Brett's Projects & More

This week we get back to what's going on on our personal benches. From both of our busy workbenches, we record this episode and go over the projects we have going on including some scratch builds, new kits and some layout work on a bridge installation.

We also go over a couple topics from an user email about downspouts and chainlink fences. We encourage your feedback by sending us an email at podcast@hoscalecustoms.com.

This weekend we'll be doing a lot of work on our model railroad layout and we plan to share a lot of it with you all on our Facebook & Instagram so stay tuned!

Bench Time - Special Edition with FOS Scale Models - The Terminal Limited Run Kit

Join us on this mid-week special edition of the Bench Time Podcast where we talk with Doug Foscale of FOS Scale Models about his limited run kit, The Terminal.

We go over the inspiration of this limited run kit, a little bit about each of the buildings that FOS Scale Models have put into it. We also get a little bit of a history lesson of the change and evolution of the travel industry.

And about the last 20 to 30 minutes, towards the end of this special episode you can also get some good modeling tips that you can use either on this kit or your own builds!

You can get The Terminal Limited Run Kit here:

• The Terminal - US Customers
• The Terminal - Canadian Customers
• The Terminal - International Customers

Episode Artwork credit to FOS Scale Models

Bench Time #27 Featuring Fellow Modeler Dave Kruiswyk

This week we have fellow modeler Dave Kruiswyk on the show and we get back to some of our roots of the podcast where we talk primarily about our modeling and what we enjoy most... Things on our workbench!

Dave is very active online and if you want to follow along with what he has going on with his work and on the workbench, you can follow his Facebook page, Dave's Workbench.

We really enjoyed having Dave on the show and we're really excited that he came up with the name for the new Official HO Scale Customs Mascot: Sculpey the Seagull, who is also the artwork for this week's episode! You'll be seeing Sculpey popping into the blog and photos from time to time here

Bench Time #26 - Featuring Jeff Grove of Carolina Craftsman Kits

This week we feature special guest Jeff Grove of Carolina Craftsman Kits. We cover a little bit of his past in model railroading and go over some of the ins-and-outs of his model building and kit manufacturing history.

We also talk about our build of The Tucker Factory Kit - An original design by Howard Zane

Bench Time #25 - Featuring Bruce Nickerson from Seaport Model Works

We've got Bruce Nickerson from Seaport Model Works on the show this week and we're talking a lot about waterway and waterfront modeling. It's a nice way to add a little more depth and character to your layouts/dioramas and adding water doesn't need to be a complicated and difficult task.

The great thing about the models and kits that Sea Port Model Works has is that they sell scale boats and ships that are great for people who want to model boats or maritime vessels. So you don't need to be a model railroader to enjoy the kits that Bruce designs!

You can check out Bruce's Website here: Seaport Model Works

Or visit his Facebook page

Become a Patron to the Bench Time Podcast and Blog at our Patreon Page

Bench Time #24 - Featuring Howard Zane

We welcome very special guest Howard Zane to the show and he goes over a little bit about his history in the model railroading world from how he started into it as a child to the many many buildings and hand-built rolling stock he's made over the years.

Check out his websites here:

Howard Zanes Structures

Howard Zane "My Life With Model Trains"

Zanes House of Brass Trains

We hope you enjoyed this episode, as always if you want to become a patron to the show, check out our Patreon page here: patreon.com/hoscalecustoms

Bench Time #23 - Featuring Kenny Crump from KC's Workshop!

Become a part of the show and help keep the lights on! HO Scale Customs Patreon Page

This week we have special guest Kenny Crump from KC's Workshop on the show.

You can visit KC's Workshop here: KC's Workshop

You can also pick up your own Goober's Garage that Todd's been building right here: Goober's Garage

Bench Time #22 - Like old times: Just Todd & Brett talking about what's on our benches this week

Become a part of the show and help keep the lights on! HO Scale Customs Patreon Page

This week it's just Todd & Brett talking about what we have going on the workbench!

Check out Dave's Workbench FB page here: Dave's Workbench

Here's the materials for the custom stains Brett was trying out:

• Higgins Sepia Calligraphy Ink, 2.5 oz Bottle, Sepia (46036)
• Chalk Pastels Set
• 91% Isopropyl Alcohol