Hi all
I'm working on early 50s era, and scratch building a farm supply store. Are my tanks too new for that time period? Do I need the retainer wall for the tanks?The shed and box car are loaded direct from rail cars.The items are not glued down and details are not finished.this is my first layout and the store is my first effort at scratch building. comments are appreciated. I may build a small store office building for the location also.
Thanks to all who answer. Lee
edit: Sorry scale is "HO" Also forgot to complete posting picture.
Scale might help.
tim
A little closer picture would be nice but from what I can see it looks pretty good. I may be wrong but I don't believe they had spill dykes around tanks in the 50's that's pretty much the reason why they have them now. I personaly would weather the heck out of those tanks, if their intented to be oil tanks then some sand around the bottoms and of course oil spills. Real easy to do with black tempra paint. As far as the position of your other building and doe sit look right for loading etc.In regards to the box car I kind of know what your going for but if that were a real box car would you want to be jumping in and out of it? put some more dunnage (timbers under it so it looks like it's sittingon something solid and how about a set of steps on the opposite side door? Your best bet is to do a little searching on Google images or something of the like for the type of industry your trying to model. You know what they say about a picture being worth a thousand words. Loos liek your off to a nice start.
Allegheny2-6-6-6 A little closer picture would be nice but from what I can see it looks pretty good. I may be wrong but I don't believe they had spill dykes around tanks in the 50's that's pretty much the reason why they have them now. I personaly would weather the heck out of those tanks, if their intented to be oil tanks then some sand around the bottoms and of course oil spills. Real easy to do with black tempra paint. As far as the position of your other building and doe sit look right for loading etc.In regards to the box car I kind of know what your going for but if that were a real box car would you want to be jumping in and out of it? put some more dunnage (timbers under it so it looks like it's sittingon something solid and how about a set of steps on the opposite side door? Your best bet is to do a little searching on Google images or something of the like for the type of industry your trying to model. You know what they say about a picture being worth a thousand words. Loos liek your off to a nice start.
Hy
All good points. I did look on the internet and found a lot tanks but nothing definitive for that period. I'm not even sure that this type of tank dates back to the early 50s. I made them out of pvc fittings and pieces of styreen tubes. The stickers I copyed from internet sites with adds for antique signs.Another sticking point maybe the anhydrous amonia and propane for that era. I hope I get comments on that.
These are the best I can do on the picture for now. I need movable lights.
Thanks
Lee
What about a fence? I've made a fence for my oil dealer.
Wolfgang
Pueblo & Salt Lake RR
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wedudler Wolfgang
Hi Lee: I think you've done a great job on that scene. As Wolfgang has suggested, with a chain link fence around those tanks, I think you've nailed it! Good job!
I can't help you with the tanks but that back hoe is definetly way too knew. I don't think they were invented untill the 80's, possibly late 70's.
Hi!
I like your spacing and structures, but I believe you could improve upon them. Please take this as positive advice, for it is not in me to put down someone's modeling efforts.
Having been in the "earl bizzness" since the early '60s, may I suggest:
- lower the retaining wall to a scale 2 or 3 feet, that is if you really want a retaining wall.
- cut down the vertical vent pipes to about 1/3 or 1/2 of their height.
- lay down some dirty ballast or cinders or whatever within the retaining wall (if you choose to keep it) or that area under the tanks if you remove the retaining wall all together.
- get a dirty wash and wash the tanks down from top to bottom.
- regarding the coal bin walls, either paint them a dirty brown / black or the like and get them dirty.
I realize a lot of folks like their models to look new and clean, but especially back in the 40/50s, the only time any industrial building was clean and shiney was the day it was built. The use of coal, lack of concrete/asphalt drives, and general nature of the industrial world back then created a lot of dirt.
I model in the '50s, and tend to keep my locos and rolling stock dull-coted and lightly weathered. But industrial structures look like they have been around for awhile, and frankly make for more realistic and interesting models.
Hey, its your RR, which is one of the great perks of the hobby!!!!
Mobilman44
ENJOY !
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
I agree that the retaining walls shouldn't be there. First of all, I think they're a relatively new practice, in tune with our greater understanding of environmental damage caused by leaks from tanks like this. Also, the point that propane (and anhydrous ammonia) would both gassify and dissipate is important. There's no point in containing liquid if there isn't going to be any liquid.
I really like the tanks themselves. They capture the look of these things pretty well.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
YIKES!!!
I didn't see "propane" on the tanks in the first set of pictures! As I worked with Gas Liquids (i.e. ethane, propane, butanes) for a whole lot of years, I should have at least asked as the "bullet" tanks are typically for compressed gases. Anyway, being propane, no retaining wall is necessary. If the tank is punctured, liquid will never hit the ground - it will shoot up and vaporize immediately. So, get rid of the wall, add some gravel underneath, and give it some light weathering.
MILW-RODRI can't help you with the tanks but that back hoe is definetly way too knew. I don't think they were invented untill the 80's, possibly late 70's.
Yes, I'm having trouble finding a old end loader. For the time being the back hoe has to be on the layout someplace the (grand kids gave it to me). We are baby sitting three this weekend. I will start incorporating the ideas as soon as I can. The spill wall goes and we get more dirt. Got it!
Thanks everyone.
I believe current codes require fencing, and the use of concrete filled bollards to prevent vehicles from crashing into the tanks. I have no idea about your time period though. I think some well place bollards would add interest to the scene. Just me though ...