Easy Dorm-room projects

Wooden freight car kits from the 40's and 50's are perfect for dorm room assembly. There are lots of kits on eBay and at two rail shows. They look great when finished and don't take up much space. Plus, you can look at them and proudly say that you built them yourself.

Buildings might be good also.

Painting figures, especially sitting ones for inside passenger cars, is a good one. May I suggest a bag or two of MTH sitting figures...about $30. for a bag of 120.

Painting sections of Ameritowne or Plasticville buildings for later assembly could also provide a nice way to pass the time. Be sure not to "go cheap" on the paint brushes. A selection of Sable brushes, including very fine points, should be on hand. For figures, I use Poly-S paint...expensive, but they cover in one coat, and a small bottle lasts a long time.

My recommendation would be to find yourself a selection of Ameri-Towne and/or Korber building kits; purchase a small tool box; stock it with the necessary paints, cements, hobby knives, brushes, and other small hobby tools; and spend your leisure time just building, kit-bashing, and detailing a number of structures for your layout.  You'll find this to be a very relaxing and rewarding activity.

IMHO, I think you're most difficult part to overcome is trying to have EVERYTHING on hand.  Almost an impossible task.

My advice is to plan things that you can either finish or bring near completion with the supplies you have on hand, knowing ahead of time that you may need to finish them when you return home.  Otherwise I think you'll get frustrated.

- walt

There have been many Wood Coffee Sturor scratch build projects posted here. There were sheds, corn cribs, etc that were quick to do and the materials were inexpensive. Maybe the school cafateria is a source. 

Paul Goodness

I would add a car to get to a hobby shop. When scratch building or kit bashing I always seem to need plastic or wood I don't have. I would add 5-minute Epoxy. I use it by the "large economy size". As I stated before, I do not believe in using "cheap" brushes, and I'm not sure where a glue gun fits in with fine work.

Thanks for all the great replies everyone! I'll certainly be looking into all of your suggestions and will hopefully be able to post some project photos in the coming months.

alex

get a couple of train related books and line up some projects for your return, if all else fails find a girl friend

My dorm rooms were always dark and the little light over the desk was not much help so I always brought along an extra little goose neck lamp for my modeling purposes.  Russ

Almost all of my buildings are painted, weathered & clear coated before assembly.  You could do a lot of this kind of building work then do the assembly at a later date when you have the space.  This would also allow for easy packing, storage, shipping or transporting with little or no damage..

Dennis

you can never have too many crates or pallets...