There are still a few small details to be tended to, but the "West Suffolk" (Virginia) scene, the final scene on the Duckunder Terminal Railway, is pretty much complete.
This scene, the complement to "East Suffolk" (which I posted photos of some time ago), is the last one contemplated for the new Duckunder (well, "new" being five years old). Whereas the East Suffolk scene highlighted the Planters Peanuts factory complex (and other industries) which so characterized Suffolk in the rail heyday of the 1950s, this West Suffolk scene depicts the other big Suffolk industry, Lipton Tea.
Lipton was a latecomer to Suffolk. The plant was designed in 1955 and opened in 1956. The modernist building was way ahead of its time and featured the yellow and red colors of the brand. The plant, now 60 years old, is virtually unchanged except for the sign, which now reflects the contemporary Lipton Tea logo. Our plant, however, proudly shows off the original logo and original sign.
Note George Lasley expertly modeled the plant as big as possible given the constraints (as always) of space. I think the proportions are excellent, and the effect is stunning. The model is an exact replica of the prototype except for the size. There is another mirror built into the end of the tracks to give depth and transition. Thanks to Geroge's ingenious paint scheme, the mirror almost disappears.
Note, too, George's "Edward Scissorhands" trimming of the boxwoods at the end of the building into the "LIPTON TEA" shape, a very nice touch!
The other West Suffolk industry is named for me, W. A. Allen & Son. I will let George post the interesting concept he modeled of several buildings of varying architecture. The effect is a nice one.
Suffolk Waterworks maintains a water tank at the west end of the scene which serves as a nice transition device to lead the eye away from the abrupt end of the high level.
In between the mainline track and the industry tracks is a well-tended garden featuring sunflowers, a robust growth of corn, cabbages, pole beans, tomatoes, and young cantaloupe.
Still missing is a transition device for the road that crosses the tracks and disappears off the back into the wall.
Hope you enjoy!
