The get off your butt and complete a project challenge!

[chessie system fan]

Yesterday, I started doing some research on a new project and then thought, "Why am I doing this? I have a whole list of projects that that are mostly done but need finishing."

I'm really good about starting projects. I'm not so good at finishing them. And that gave me the idea for this challenge.  I'm sure I'm not the only one with 70%-80% done things that are languishing. 

So let's have some fun. What are some projects that are mostly done but just need a final push to the finish line? Start working on some and post the results here! Put yourself out there and then follow through and get it done.

My short list:

ACL boxcar (that's been sitting for ten  years)
MP baggage car
PRR X40 boxcar
Make 15-20 trees.
Milw branch line passenger car

[jargonlet]

A few years back I started a Sparrows Point wood kit for a Reading milk car in ho scale. I stalled on it because I couldn’t find a diagram of the underbody. On these craftsman kits I typically do full piping on the underside. The kit has sat for about 4 years now. I was going through unfinished projects lately and decided to say hell with it. I’ve got a vague idea of how everything goes under there and can revisit if info ever becomes available. I recently finished the car and it is in my paint booth right now. While the piping is not on the car, at least I will be able to run the car.

[Pizzaparty]

I need to quit analysis paralysis and just paint my AC9. It’s an easy conversion and I just haven’t done it

[pjm20]

I am in the same boat with analysis paralysis plus I do a lot of research, so I appreciate the oppurtunity for publicing shaming me into actually doing some modeling. I have not done too much "acutal" modeling so my projects are simple so I can learn the skills needed for more complex modeling. On the burner at the moment that I want to challenge myself to get done before the PRRT&HS convention in two weeks are these projects:

 - Tichy PRR watchman shanty, perhaps on a mini diorama
 - scratchbuild/3D print PRR Weikert, PA station, again maybe on a mini diorama
 - 3D print some PRR RoW signs

I have plenty of other small projects, but I want to limit myself for now so I bring something to prove to myself I am a modeler, not a collector.

[randgust]

I'm stuck in nose-down, boring, grind it out... projects....

What seems like thousands of Woodland Scenics little ball trees for the McCabe lumber module....

What seems like endless piles of scale lumber stacks, same....

Almost done with pile after pile after pile of hemlock bark cords for the West Hickory tannery, 3 nights for every cord, 16 piles and about another 6 or so to go.

must finish.....must finish....must finish.....

and then I can work on my Showcase Shay....

[garethashenden]

Oh boy. Strong “I’m in this picture and I don’t like it” vibes.

I have two FineNScale PRR boxcar kits to finish. They’re painted, just need decals.
The B&M K7 2-8-0. I need to wire the decoder to a connector and the connector to the motor. Then add a coupler and it will be operational. I want to get it operational before finishing all the cosmetic stuff, because doing it the other way around is asking for trouble.
I bought an STL file for a 1930s grader. I’ve printed a couple and painted one. I just need to find a flatcar to put it on. But then I want the flatcar to be a perfect representation of the prototype and not Pennsylvania, so more analysis paralysis. It’s hard to find good prewar flatcars in N scale!

[u18b]

1.  Draw decals for WM Shay
2.  sandblast Shay and paint black
3.  Rebuild brass OMI Little Joe with sound
4.  finish drawing EP-2 decals

[bbussey]

I recently finished a pair of New Haven County-series baggage-lounge cars that had been stalled for over a year.

[carlso]

I need to quit analysis paralysis and just paint my AC9. It’s an easy conversion and I just haven’t done it

PP, where did you get the AC9 ?

Rgards,
Carl

[Dave V]

I need to finish a PRR 8-arch stone bridge for a T-Trak module representing the Middle Division crossing the Juniata River west of Lewistown. I've been adding all the anti-spalling steel reinforcements and burned out...!

[chessie system fan]

For me, I think one reason projects languish is because I find the research part of a new project to be the most exciting part.  I can go at something for hours and be so into it that I forget to even eat something. And then the newness wears off.  Another is I can't say I care for airbrushing or decaling.  A third reason is I come to a point where I'm stumped and don't know how to proceed, whether from a lack of information or technical feasibility.

Today was productive!  I found my ACL boxcar, made a choice for what paint scheme I wanted, found an underframe for it and filed it to fit, found the correct trucks, and located my ACL decals.  Up next is couplers and ride height correcting plus etched step installation.

[mecgp7]

Three MEC U18Bs one of which was started in the '90s! I, too, am great at getting started then jumping to another project. Usually driven by waiting for paint or decals to dry. I probably have a dozen or so custom pieces that are only finished on one side.

[Pizzaparty]

PP, where did you get the AC9 ?

Rgards,
Carl

Train show find. I asked the vendor and he shrugged his shoulders and said it was part of an estate collection. It’s 3d printed not a resin casting

[wm3798]

I've got two WM chopnose geeps in progress.  One needs lettering and railings, the other needs new number boards.  Between the two of them, maybe an hour or two of work.  Right now it's hard to string together 2 minutes of train time.



The photo is from 2021.  Gives you a hint at how much progress I make...

Lee

[u18b]

Train show find. I asked the vendor and he shrugged his shoulders and said it was part of an estate collection. It’s 3d printed not a resin casting

Oooo.   Can't wait to see them.