Airslides for Hostess Cake

Beautiful scene and modeling!  That image looks real.

Any more pics of that building? Looks awesome!

That looks great, Don. How's the expansion coming along?

Morning guys

Glad you enjoyed the pic and glad to hear Hostess Cake is back in business! Love those Devil Dogs

Here are some shots of the building during construction and more completed. I wanted something with an interior and lots of room for airslides and tank cars of corn syrup with inside delivery. The interior has a tank car unloading station from MTH as well as large holding tanks (just PVC pipe cut into small sections and weathered) as well as a small "office" section at the front. The pics tell the story but here is a quick run down of how it was built: 

 

Overview- I was pretty discouraged when I saw what was available for factories in O (compared to HO) and resolved to figure out how to build what I needed. Brett Whalen was a big influence in that he nailed down 3 basic types of building construction that will allow you to make pretty much any historic factory you can dream up. The first is a concrete pilastered building, the second, is brick with concrete pilasters, and the last is straight brick. The bakery is an example of a concrete pilaster type.

 

Total cost $135

Materials- Foam core base (www.foamcoreheaven.com)

Pine Trim- Lowes Hardware

Windows and Fire Escapes- Tichy Train Group

Sheet Brick- Plastruct

Wood Trim- ½ and 1 inch birch strips from AC Moore

Color- Valspar Hotel Vanilla Lowes, Floquil Pullman Dark Green for windows and escapes,  Valspar glass frosting to apply a flat finish- Lowes

Roof details- Chimneys, wood shapes with various things from my junk drawer, Pecos River Brass roof vents, HO Scale water tanks from Walthers…..

Lights- Miniatronics 12v

 

If there is anything I am forgetting, just ask…..

 

 

Here are some more pics.......the little gate was made with a photo etching from a friend Serge Lebel.....the background image is temporary until I find something better.....

 

 

Very nice work!!

Overview- I was pretty discouraged when I saw what was available for factories in O (compared to HO) and resolved to figure out how to build what I needed. Brett Whalen was a big influence in that he nailed down 3 basic types of building construction that will allow you to make pretty much any historic factory you can dream up. The first is a concrete pilastered building, the second, is brick with concrete pilasters, and the last is straight brick. The bakery is an example of a concrete pilaster type.

 

So true! And I also Learned something new today. Thank you!

 

Also I love your rooftop ac.

Are those PRB roof vents, blocks of wood, and 36"F/GP style fan grills?

 

 

 

Don,

 

Beyond awesome.  Thanks for posting, and inspiring!

Hey guys,

Glad that was helpful. The roof vents are a mixture of all kinds of pieces I had in a parts bin. There are some GP roof vents from Precision Scale, roof detail parts from Pecos River Brass, a bunch of piping parts from Plastruct that were left over from one of their kits. Here are some shots of Bretts buildings (showing the 3 kinds) that were inspirational for me....

 

 

IND, you are one **** of a modeler......Fantastic......

 

Dennis

almost forgot Matt.....I have been hard at work on the expansion....will post progress in a separate topic here as soon as I get a chance....here is a sneak peak

 

Hey Matt

I have had no problems with warping though our basement is climate controlled and I keep it very dry down there. I also build interior support to the foam board buildings so they are nice and sturdy in case they need to be moved. I think the exterior structures like DPM panels or trim hot glued also provide structural support. You can always order thicker foam board or use plywood for your base as well. I have used plywood for several buildings but they are too heavy. The foam seems to be best and easiest to cut and work with. 

Beautiful and absolutely top notch!!  I have been using foam core for basic building structures with excellent results.  It is so easy to work with and with a little brace here and there, no warping!!

 

Alan

Just happened to read this thread. Fantastic modeling. Thanks so much for sharing!

Don, the photo of that bascule bridge caught my attention since I have a photo of it that our buddy Ben emailed me as part of a discussion he and I were having…I had no idea it was on your RR though and he obviously took it on one of his visits. Very well done piece!

 

Bob

Don,

 

Masterful as ever!

 

You must use super-modeling magic to create everything because the interior of your garage looks like mine but your buildings are just works of art (and mine aren't. Ha!)

 

Did you ever order any of the Gator Board from

 

http://www.uline.com/BL_872/Gator-Board

 

I was using some black foam board last night but may try some of the Gator Board I have around this weekend. Cutting window openings may be a bit more involved...

 

Bill McBride

Thanks Flanger....I am writing up a little piece on that now for the Forum. That was an Atlas bridge I made some mods to....its probably not prototypical but it looks good enough.

hey Bill- Sure did....Gator board is great and cheap too....I am just about to order a bunch for some buildings I have to make this fall. Should have mentioned that....

I take over the garage in the summer so it always looks like a bomb went off in here.....but when winter comes it goes back to the cars.....

Holy cow, these are some great shots of your progress. The thread title is only the tip of an iceberg. I opened this thread simply expecting to see some photos of an airslide car. 

Bravo don!

My oh my that is some top shelf modeling right there... excellent details and excellent craftsmanship.  I know without a doubt that has to be a real eye-catcher in person.

Chris

Don, this is really fantastic. Great work! I am a big fan of your layout and the structures on it. Really inspiring!

 

Lars

WOW!!! This is why I joined these forums! I am a new guy here & I model O scale traction. After seeing these models I have been rethinking my industrial area!!! Thanks for the inspiration & keep yup the outstanding work! I Would love to see more examples from Brett & how he was able to achieve such outstanding detail.

Very nice LARGE buildings!

 

And, thanks for posting the photos on the process, too!

Don,

 

Its fantastic to see your work again after the Atlas forum closed down. Your night time photos are truly magical. I drive freight trains for a living and often work at night in a terminal and port area and the way you are able to capture the light and shadow is amazing.

 

Unfortunately I'm not sure Brett Whelan does much modelling nowadays as he is Vice President of the Yarra Valley Tourist Railway just outside of Melbourne here in Australia and is very busy getting the line open all the way between Healsville and Yarra Glen? I still chat with him occasionally at local model railway shows though.

 

I look forward to enjoying more of your photos and videos, especially those with the sound of actual trains edited in. They almost seem real combined with your weathering.

 

Regards Daryl Blake

Amazing.

Absolutely fantastic!

 

Thanks to Daryl for bringing this thread back to life or I would have missed it

 

Dave

Hi Dave,

 

Don has wowed us constantly on the old Atlas O scale forum with photos of his amazing layout, especially his industrial structures and loco and freight car weathering which is so beautifully observed and recreated sometimes you'd almost swear they are real. Don's also likes his photos to tell a story rather than just show an image and often feature railroad people as much as the trains they run.

 

The other great thing is Don is happy to share info on how he achieves the amazing work he does so I imagine many other modellers are inspired to have a go. You may want to visit his website at Industrial Models and view the videos of his layout he has posted. They are a real treat.

 

I have seen Brett Whelan's structures in the flesh and they are jaw dropping. He builds everything from scratch. Brett was also constructing a switching layout for the structures to go on, but has now moved house so I'm not sure what has happened to all his work. I hope he has continued with the layout because once it's finished it will be truly stunning to see.

 

Regards Daryl Blake

Don,

 

Where did you get your security fence blocking the under building loading area?

I just ordered a bunch of those windows today from Tichy. I' think the windows & fire escapes alone in your factory are $135 Great job!

I spent an hour starring at these pictures yesterday and just about to get lost again.  Amazing skills in this. 

 

-Ted

Hey Guys

Glad they were helpful and thanks for the kind words. I have been working on another couple of modules this fall and am nearing completion. Will post some pics of that progress soon. Its all rural rocks and trees which has been a learning experience. Super Trees really are the way to go. 

Al, the gate was made for me by a friend Serge Lebel from Canada. He drew it out on his computer and then made a photo etching brass piece for me. I think I recall Tichy was planning to release something like that and it may be available now. Not sure. 

 

Don,

Who made the tall water tank on the roof of your building? How tall is it? Your layout is looking good, can't wait to see rocks and trees.

 

Malcolm

Don,

 

keep 'em coming!

 

trees for those that appreciate links:  

http://www.sceneryexpress.com/...fo.asp?number=EX0220

 

 

 

 

Don,

 

I'm looking forwards to seeing your latest work. It is truly a pleasure to watch your layout develop. Thanks for continuing to share your work.

 

Regards Daryl

Don nice looking building!!

Hi Don,

 

I'm sure you did explain how you did your street and building lighting on the Atlas O forum, but I can't find the post. Any chance of a rundown again on globes used, how you wire and which power source?

 

Regards Daryl