Model Railroading on the Cheap

   I think all model railroaders must have a good imagination. Here is a bit about how I allow imagination to stimulate me and my model railroad.

“It’s been a quiet week in Lake Wobegon —-“

   I have listened to Garrison Keilor’s “Prairie Home Companion” radio show for nearly 30 years. Find it Saturday nights on NPR stations all over the country. He was raised in a small town in the mid-west grain belt and his home town stories tell of his roots. His two hour radio show is a bit of variety music, skits, stories and imaginary sponsors. With fictional and humorous stories so believable that it makes me feel right at home. Several years ago there was an ad in a major model magazine for ‘Powder-milk Biscuits’ decals. I sent for them and painted a boxcar blue, applied those decals, and fashioned an industry on my layout to justify their existence. Here we see more of Walthers paper back ground building flats with personalized signage (Mail Pouch).

He uses slogans like: “They give shy folks the strength to get up and do what needs to be done.”

 “In the big blue box with the brown paper bag inside with the familiar dark brown circles indicating freshness” 
“Has your family tried ‘em?” 
“Heavens they’re tasty and expeditious”®.