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Concrete loading dock for background building, HO scale?

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  • Member since
    January 2014
  • 195 posts
Concrete loading dock for background building, HO scale?
Posted by ChrisVA on Sunday, April 7, 2024 1:41 PM

I'm trying to find a supplier for a concrete loading dock to be used for a background building (Design Preservation Models, etc) but I'm having trouble locating something suitable. Ideally I'd like to find something made of plastic that I could cut to length to fit various buldings. 

I suppose I could scratch build them from styrene but I wanted to find out if there's a good product out there that modelers have used for this? What has been your solution to building a loading dock for a building?
Thanks and Regards

 

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,036 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Sunday, April 7, 2024 2:02 PM

I do what you don't want to do. I scratch build them from styrene sheet.  

I built a number of freight houses from Walthers Modular Kits and then added the scratchbuilt loading docks.

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Central Vermont
  • 4,557 posts
Posted by cowman on Sunday, April 7, 2024 3:02 PM

When I get to the point of making a loading dock I plan to use extruded foam.  I will try several different methods of cutting to see which I like the best.  (Hot wire, hot knife, razor saw or something else.)

Good luck,

Richard

  • Member since
    November 2007
  • From: California
  • 2,329 posts
Posted by HO-Velo on Sunday, April 7, 2024 5:03 PM

Modeled my cannery loading dock after one at a now defunct old warehouse in Richmond, Ca.  Frame constructed with basswood and Monster Modelworks poured concrete sheeting, strip wood for planking.  

Regards, Peter  

 

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,036 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Sunday, April 7, 2024 5:12 PM

Beautiful work, as always, Peter.

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
  • 21,345 posts
Posted by MisterBeasley on Sunday, April 7, 2024 7:41 PM

I scratchbuild it from styrene, same as suggested.  It's only 3 pieces, 4 if you have a slanted down ramp on one end.

For building interiors, I'll make a store counter, diner counter or a bar the same way.  It's literally a ten minute job, if you count time to paint it, or 30 minutes if you add time for the paint to dry.  Easy.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

  • Member since
    February 2017
  • From: Harrisburg, PA
  • 637 posts
Posted by hbgatsf on Sunday, April 7, 2024 9:24 PM

If you want a loading dock for a DPM building why concrete?  Those buildings are typically brick.  Take a look at Tera Surplus and Fedups.  They just use low brick sections with a styrene top for concrete to make the loading docks.  If you do want all concrete styrene in place of the brick would be really easy.  

Rick

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