Styrene source and Joy Gas Stations in Torono

[Anonymous]

Hi, I'm busy building a Joy Gas Station in HO… They were 1930's era Toronto Ontario eccentricities that looked like little castles for the knights in their Packards and Studebakers to ride up in for gas… and any fair maidens that were handy, I need a source for styrene other than the small packaged pieces that cost two arms and a leg here. Does any industry use such stuff or am I doomed to 5 bucks a pop (E shopping is fine except for shipping costs) I'm also looking for a source for fibre optics, joiners, ight sources and the like. Also gas pumps… oil racks…that kind of stuff.

If anyone has photos of the Joy Gas Stations and especially their signs I would be grateful to see them. There is only one of many left, and it is in pieces waiting and hoping for restoration.

Oh, I'm back ater a thirty year hiatus from trains, disability has given me too much time and rather unfortunately not enough money to live in a style I'd like to be accustomed to. Trains or groceries? Trains every time, I'm too fat anyways.[:)]

[ereimer]

my wife and i often drive by that old gas station , i haven't ever heard of Joy Gas (and a google search doesn't bring up anything) . i hope the refurb the building sometime , it's a neat little place

i'd love to see a photo of your model , when you're ready to show it off ;)

[cwclark]

I use Evergreen or Plastruct styrene plastic...they both have a website and from www.internettrains.com ...electronics and light sources are easy to find ..mouser, jameco, radio shack, digi-key, and a store i like to use ..www.partsexpress.com you can call them at their toll free number (except radio shack) and they will send you a free catalog to order from fiber optics?... www.thefiberopticstore.com Chuck

[dknelson]

I have seen sheet styrene had home supply stores as well as craft shops. Also styrene is used in the packaging and advertising industries and if you are lucky you might luck on to a supply
Years ago a friend who is a truck driver and while making a delivery saw a worker throw hundreds of large sheets of styrene into a dumpster. it was a printing firm that printed advertising - in this case for, I think, shock absorbers onto sheet styrene so it could be a desk blotter at gas stations etc. There had been a printing error in the entire run so they were all scrap. My friend asked and was given the whole stack so I have been using some of his "free" styrene for years.

Take a look at some household products also - the packaging may be styrene.
Dave Nelson

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by runningduck

I need a source for styrene other than the small packaged pieces that cost two arms and a leg here.

My friend Big John always recommended the plastic "For Sale" signs at Wally Mart...sometimes around here after a political campaign, you can get all the loser's plastic yard signs for free.

--Jeff Sc.
Free Is Best, Ga.

[Anonymous]

Well thanks to all for all your help. My dog Ellie and I set out on adventure, having looked up a plastics company in town. The lady who served us was not very happy in herself, so to speak. And no I wil not insult my dog by calling her "that." On the way home I spotted a sign store, and having unsuccessfuly tried a few discount stores, and and art supply place, I really hit he jackpot. The lady there was super nice and gve me a good sized chunk that of styrene that was scratched and damaged. I also bought a huge piece for 15 bucks, and it is just fine for what i needed.

[Anonymous]

More on the Joy GAs Station and a few pictures to go and find with the following
http://tssweb.thestar.com/NASApp/TPPSApp/do/keyword_search?GXHC_gx_session_id_=5b282529e90d99e8&init_offset=1&end_offset=6&page_number=1&keyword_type=gallery&search_target=3&keyword=joy+gas+station

I know it is very long but cut and paste the who thing and there are a couple of photos of the last of these Gas stations left. I got a mess of Styrene, now the fun part. The two peices are two buildings, never attached apparently, as the reords I have found say that this was in two. The smaller part is the standard design and thee was one on the Danforth near my childhood home, it is white painted brick, while the service bays are white stucco over brick. Thanks

[Anonymous]

I see a lot of people mentioning "For Sale" signs and political signs as sources for styrene, but I have never seen one made of styrene. Around here, most of those items seem to be made of a polyethylene type of plastic that is tough and flexible, rather than polystyrene, which is hard and somewhat brittle. Model cars and planes, etc, are made of styrene. Are you guys getting the two confused, or do you have different manufacturing practices than here in Michigan?

[northern_blues]

Runningduck,

I clicked on your link. I remember that station on the Lakeshore, I think it sat in front of the old Tip Top Tailors close to the CNE.

If you surf around on that link, there are some great train pictures of streetcars, subways and steam engines from old Toronto.

Also, a pic of a steam engine in Thunder Bay 1888.

[Anonymous]

For huge sheets at good prices check: http://www.usplastic.com
Click on the sidebar link for "Sheet, Rod, Shapes"
then on the styrene" link.
then on "High Impact Styrene Sheet"

Wayne

Added: Sorry, didn't register at first that you are in Canada. I don't know if this is a good source for you or not..

W.