Here’s a thought that I’ve been thinking, lately:  “Time is quality.”  Every job I’ve ever had has been an hourly wage-based one, but I’ve never really thought of time as money.

I could spend hours on one repair and never blink an eyelash.  That’s how we were taught in Red Wing.  We were taught quality before speed, and speed came to everyone at very different paces.  The only real speed I ever learned was speed in sight reading sheet music.  Not quite as practical for musical instrument or train repair, but I don’t mind.  I enjoy whiling away the long hours with the littlest of things.

I’m sure I can hand-make electrical pick-ups for a passenger car faster since I’ve done it once, but I won’t try to be lightning-fast.  It’s too easy to slip up and miss something when going fast.

One thing I think I should really learn about is air brush painting and mixing.  I started painting a diesel engine and some freight cars months ago, and I’m nowhere near being finished.

Time, quality, and money.  The big three.  You can have something done quickly for less money and lesser quality; you can pay for high quality in whatever time is required; you can get finite standards of quality within finite time for a finite amount of money.  Those are what I have typically known to be true.  What is the best balance or blend of the three?  What kind of tastes do you have?  I was raised to value quality, money, and patience.

Imagine the time it takes to go from this…..

…..to this…..

…..to this.

Just imagine all the hours spent hunched over a plank of wood or stooped on the ground–fastening, gluing, painting, wiring, always modifying.

’tis most exciting.

I love little work like taking apart steam engine drive rods and putting them back together.  Standing back and taking in the fruits of all that hard labor, time, and effort feels great.  You made something exactly how you wanted it, and it looks GREAT!!!

I’ve been talking with a college friend, and he is just getting started on making his railroad.  He just bought $700 worth of Great Northern Empire Builder passenger cars for $160.  I am excited to watch how his collection grows.  I just wish I could make my bank account grow enough to match my train collection…..