Oil Platform Plans or ideas.

[Anonymous]

I am planning on building an HO scale Ocean Oil platform. Any ideas, plans, or sources of materials would be really appreciated. I have lots of room, so I'm not too worried about space.

Thanks

[jrbarney]

Blair,
One source of materials that you may want to consider is Plastruct :
http://www.plastruct.com
Either buy their catalog or consult it at your LHS. They have all sorts of refinery related styrene shapes that might be useful. Are you planning on including a helicopter pad - there should be an HO scale helo kit that you can use, but you'll have to paint it to match the livery of the outfits that fly to the offshore rigs.
And, if you plan nighttime operations don't forget some flashing warning lights
on the rig. Something this big will dominate your scenery.
Bob
NMRA Life 0543

[Anonymous]

Blair,
I would recommend that you try a single well production platform. They are relatively small, and don't have a lot of detail and pipeing.
They are generally either single pile, or 4 legged. Think of them as a four legged stool. There is a boat landing on the lowest level which is generally 6 to 8 feet above the water. The main deck will usually be about 50 feet above the water, and a small helideck above that on one corner.
This is one of the larger manned production platforms. Sorry I don't have a closer picture handy at the moment.

This a picture of one that was being salvaged. The upright section on the barge is the base of the structure as is the part that is under water.


I just got back on the tug and am headed for the Gulf of Mexico. It will be a couple of weeks before I get up into the area where there are platforms. I'll try to remember to get some close up pics for you when I get there.

[challenger3802]

A few site with pictures for you to view:

http://www.schoolscience.co.uk/content/4/chemistry/petroleum/knowl/4/2index.htm?platforms.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_platform
http://www.civl.port.ac.uk/comp_prog/offshore_platforms

Ian

[jrbarney]

Blair,
Found this with a Google search:
http://www.maritimereplicas.com/oilRigs.htm
Also, what about a work boat/supply vessel ?
Bob
NMRA Life 0543

[jrbarney]

Blair,
In addition to Plastruct as a source of materials, you might also want to look at the cranes and towers at Sheepscot Scale Products :
http://www.sheepscotscale.com ,
and the oil derricks at American Model Builders :
http://www.laserkit.com ,
Alexander,
NJ International :
http://www.njinternational.com ,
and you might be able to kitbash something from Kibri's crane offerings.
Bob
NMRA Life 0543

[Anonymous]

Hey everyone,

I just wanted to thank you all for your ideas and suggestions. I'm new to model railroads, and its good to know that there are lots of people out there willng to give a newbie a hand.

Blair