I am building a freelanced diorama that includes a mid-sized city passenger station. My model is loosely based on the station in Bowling Green KY, but only because it is available on a semi-regular basis for research and comparison (when go visit my mother-in-law). My freelanced road is based in western Illinois. I found a great station made by Arnold. Size-wise, it has the right feel for the setting and surrounding buildings. It is served by two stub tracks to the west for mail and commuter trains, two dedicated through tracks and space planned for a platform to one of the mains.
My plan was to place the walthers butterfly platforms along the through tracks and on all sides of the mail tracks. This decision was based on the fact that the BG, KY station has a 10-car length covered platform. I would consider BG, KY and mid-sized city station at best.
In looking through numerous pictures, it would seem that train sheds were more common than shelters, especially in mid to larger cities. It would also seem that, in general, most stations only had a platform that extended 100 feet or so from the station house even if it served multiple tracks. The remaining tracks were simply wood or concrete platforms with some lamp posts, baggage carts, and rarely even a bench.
My question would be, does any one have any thoughts on covered platforms or not? What have you done on your pike?
Also, in looking at the box from walthers, the roofs are a dirty whote/concrete color. I found only a couple of overhead photos. It appears they were generally a dark color - I'm thinking grimy black. In one it shows numerous white blocks, presumably pathes and repairs. Any thoughts on color?
TIA, Bryan
Greetings Bryan,
I think if you read your post it will tell you what you want to do. You have laid out the guidelines for your layout.
This decision was based on the fact that the BG, KY station has a 10-car length covered platform. I would consider BG, KY and mid-sized city station at best.
As far as the color, go with what feels right for you.
Neal
You're doing what I do... so you must be right!
I find an idea of what I want to do, modify it a bit, go look for examples in pics and then ask questions if it looks reasonable and I want details.
What I end up with most times is some sort of composite (rather than compromise). the great thing with this is that i can build in elements that I like from different scenes rather than stick to just one.
Working on this... which do you want for your model... all the roads pretty much the same or some variety?
It seems to me that you could have a smallish train shed by your station office buildings... butterfly platforms on one or both sides along the tracks (as you like) and ground level uncovered platforms for the parcels/mail traffic... providing enough space and a suitable surface for the carts or forklifts used to handle the loading.
If you start to look for this in pics you will soon find even more colour differences and details to add in than the ones you've already spotted for the roofs. You'll be enjoying working on it forever
People don't usually see roofs so they don't get kept clean so much... they don't just get a colour change with dirt but can even have plants growing on them.