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MikeMc
Engine Wiper
USA
158 Posts |
 Posted - 03/31/2010 : 2:54:42 PM
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Wow, so much great work here. It really captures that railroady look right away. Great job weathering, highly realistic! One very small detail I like is the weeds in the cracks of the concrete. Often a missed opportunity, but you got it. Lots to learn from looking at your photos. Thanks so much!
Mike McNamara
Delran, NJ |
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jbvb
Fireman
USA
1911 Posts |
Posted - 03/31/2010 : 6:59:53 PM
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| I try to avoid repeating myself, but as I said on your NOUPT thread, this is the kind of vision and execution that could get you a summer touring train shows in Europe, if it could be fitted into a sea container so as to survive the trip. |
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maandg
Engine Wiper
370 Posts |
Posted - 03/31/2010 : 10:55:58 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Neil M
Spectacular!
Are you not a bit concerned that the awnings on the road side of the structure are a bit vulnerable, hanging over the edge like that?
Thanks everyone for all of the wonderful feedback!
Neil, I was initially a little apprehensive about the overhang of the canopy into the aisle. However, the height of the canopy is nearly 60 inches from the floor. At this height, only a shoulder could catch it if one were walking down the aisle - and even then they would have to be right up against the fascia. Theoretically someone could back up and hit it with the back of their head. But since the wall would have looked bare and inaccurate without it, I'm willing to live dangerously to include the canopy. [:-blindfold]
Thanks for your question! |
Cliff Powers
The Mississippi Alabama & Gulf
Please visit my layout website at
www.magnoliaroute.com
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hunter48820
Fireman
6029 Posts |
Posted - 04/01/2010 : 3:19:32 PM
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Oh Cliff, I get the prototype and the model pics mixed up!![:-eyebrows] As usual (for you) it's a great looking building and your attention to detail is excellent. Really enjoy following along with your adventure!!
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Best, Andy Keeney
Look out for #1, but don't step in #2! |
Edited by - hunter48820 on 04/01/2010 3:20:00 PM |
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Frederic Testard
Engineer
France
16524 Posts |
Posted - 04/01/2010 : 6:58:43 PM
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The nocturnal shots are wonderful, Cliff, and your modelling is as great as usual.
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Frederic Testard |
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Grubes
Engine Wiper
USA
353 Posts |
Posted - 04/03/2010 : 08:15:22 AM
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Cliff,
Fantastic modeling as usual. I particularly like the night shot where the lights reflect off the rails.
Dave
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maandg
Engine Wiper
370 Posts |
Posted - 04/19/2010 : 7:38:38 PM
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Welcome back! This installment marks the beginning of construction on the Gibbons Feed Mill. This massive facility was built long before the NOUPT, but continued to exist right along the station yard throat. During my NOUPT research, I noticed that the Gibbons Mill could be seen in a majority of vintage photos. Because of this, I wanted to be sure and include it, even though some degree of selective compression would be necessary.
I decided to use Walthers Modulars components to build the mill. Even though the window style is not exactly correct, it was close enough to convey the character of the prototype. The biggest advantage to the component approach was that it allowed me to maintain the relative proportions of the walls. I also liked the overall ease and speed of construction that would result from this system. I can say that I was very impressed with the overall quality of the components and would recommend them to anyone. Luckily I bought most of my packs when Walthers had them on sale for $3.98 (list for $9.98). The only thing that was aggravating to me was the fact that splice plates are not included in the wall packs. This required an additional 10 packs of wall columns to complete the project.
Here are two of the prototype photos I worked from. They were both taken from the “street side” of the mill. The NOUPT tracks would be on the opposite side of the building. The vehicles help date the photo.
At this point, the basic shell of the mill is finished. Compare the model to the two prototype photos.
I especially like the large sign on the elevator wall. This was the original sign. During the early NOUPT era, the original sign had been painted over and replaced with this simplified one.
To be accurate, I should duplicate the simple lettering. I have already completed both versions of the artwork for this purpose. At this stage, I have simply taped a paper print-out to the wall to help me visualize the effect. Here are both versions.
I am leaning to the earlier version of the sign, simply because I love the urban look of large painted signs on brick. In either case, the actual sign will be printed on decal paper and applied accordingly. Another possibility is to apply the original sign, then fade it out with an airbrush. Afterwards, the newer decal can be installed. If you look closely at this photo again, you can see the original “MIXED FEEDS” lettering of the original showing through the paint. This would be a really cool effect!
During construction, I overlaid numerous lengths of strip styrene to the brick pilasters. This not only looked more like the prototype, but also covered up tons of unsightly seams in the brick components. Horizontal styrene pieces were added for the same reasons. The entire building will be painted white, then weathered with an airbrush
The mill featured a “drive-thru” loading area as well as a canopy-covered platform. Both can be seen in these photos (the future platform location has been drawn for clarity in the second photo).
Notice the close proximity to the Clara Street tower. This is substantiated in this photo which I posted during my Clara tower build.
In this photo you can see where the spur track comes off of the main. I originally didn’t think I was going to have room to add a switch. Instead I was going to model bare ties with the tracks removed. By using a #4 turnout, I was able to negotiate an 18” radius curve to the mill. Since only small switchers and 40-foot cars will use this trackage, this is not an operational problem.
Here are several more photos of the mill. I really like the way it dominates this end of the peninsula. Once painted, weathered and detailed, it should be most impressive!
These last 4 photos will give you an idea of how massive this model really is. Even so, I think it makes the rest of the NOUPT complex appear even larger by comparison. Notice that the top of the elevator tower comes within 2 inches of the light valance!!
By this weekend I should have the structure painted and weathered. Installation of windows, doors, roofs, awnings and the loading dock will follow. I am rushing to wrap up construction before my May 21st clinic at the SER NMRA convention. Hopefully, I’ll make my deadline! Hope you guys enjoyed this episode!
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Cliff Powers
The Mississippi Alabama & Gulf
Please visit my layout website at
www.magnoliaroute.com
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SteveH
Engine Wiper
Canada
447 Posts |
Posted - 04/19/2010 : 8:11:59 PM
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What do you mean "Once painted, weathered and detailed, it should be most impressive"?
It already is![:-bigeyes]
Great job once again, Cliff.
Thanks for the tip on hiding the seams on the Walthers modulars sections. |
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Tabooma County Rwy
Fireman
USA
4201 Posts |
Posted - 04/19/2010 : 8:17:14 PM
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| Wow! Pretty impressive, Cliff! Just how large, in inches, or scale feet, is the footprint of the building? |
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MarkF
Engineer
USA
9329 Posts |
Posted - 04/19/2010 : 8:53:54 PM
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| One word describes this build - WOW! You've done it again Cliff - outstanding work. The overall shots of that peninsula show how well you are capturing the feel of the area. |
Mark
See my homepage at http://home.comcast.net/~prrndiv/
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Grubes
Engine Wiper
USA
353 Posts |
Posted - 04/19/2010 : 9:13:39 PM
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Cliff,
On your way to another impressive build!
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hunter48820
Fireman
6029 Posts |
Posted - 04/19/2010 : 9:59:03 PM
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Hi Cliff,
That's going to be a beautiful landmark on the layout. I love how it towers over the rest of the area!!
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Best, Andy Keeney
Look out for #1, but don't step in #2! |
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jbvb
Fireman
USA
1911 Posts |
Posted - 04/19/2010 : 10:50:35 PM
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| Great work on the mill. One thing I noticed about the scene as a whole is the height of the highway overpass; it looks like it clears 25+ feet, if I judge rightly by the cars and the mill building. If you're leaving room for doublestacks or operators' hands, I understand, but one thing I'm trying to do myself is achieve realistic overhead clearances for my locale and era (after scratchbuilding an overpass to clear NMRA and not liking its looks). There are a few photos related to this on pages 3 and 4 of my B&M Eastern Route thread: http://www.railroad-line.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=26801&whichpage=2 |
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Vagel Keller
Crew Chief
USA
727 Posts |
Posted - 04/20/2010 : 11:17:34 PM
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Impressive, indeed, Cliff. Wonderful adaptive use of the Walthers modulars, too.
Vagel |
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maandg
Engine Wiper
370 Posts |
Posted - 04/20/2010 : 11:51:00 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Tabooma County Rwy
Wow! Pretty impressive, Cliff! Just how large, in inches, or scale feet, is the footprint of the building?
Al, the overall footprint of the building is 15" X 27" with a height of 18". If my calculations are correct, that translates to 109 X 196 X 130 scale feet. While not quite as big as the prototype, it’s still pretty darn big. More importantly, the proportions are reasonable, relatively speaking.
Thanks to everyone for your encouraging comments. I painted the entire building after school today and got 3 of the four elevator walls masked off and painted black for the lettering. I also managed to get all of the decals printed. I should have them all applied - and hopefully the building weathered - tomorrow.
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Cliff Powers
The Mississippi Alabama & Gulf
Please visit my layout website at
www.magnoliaroute.com
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Topic |
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Constructing the NOUPT Support Facilities
