Here's One For You Creative Types

Loading platforms are fairly easy to scratch build using lumber from MicroMark.

How about an REA station?

Scratch build it.  Get some dimensional ‘lumber’ and put it together.  Fun little project.  I remember I bought s loading dock kit from Brennan I think it was.  Cost me like $40 and was the simplest thing to put together I have ever seen.  Had a ten page or whatever it was instructions, some magnets in there for something I never bothered to explore. To justify the cost I guess.   It was like $2.50 worth of scale lumber you can get at any hobby shop.  That convinced me to scratch build any simple structure from then on.  It’s more fun, and your’e not getting ripped off from an outfit like Brennan.  I might still have that loading dock.  If I can find it I’ll sell it to you for ten bucks.  That makes more sense to me.  I’ll go look.

Quick and dirty, go Plasticville:  

Mitch 

All great suggestions here......

Here is my approach:
When I was expanding my area of responsibility on the modular layout from 12 to 18 feet (back in the summer/fall of 2017), I wanted to add some action accessories.
We use Atlas track on our modular set up. I placed control rails and wired them (with the assitance of Forum member Kanawha).
Then, I had to solve the dilemma of either having something that could easily be put on and off. Or, alternatively, something that was permanent.
For the milk platform, I put a base with little grooves that I could place a disassembled milk platform on and off easily.
Instead of an unloading bin, that I would have to place on and off, I just made an unloading been out of railroad ties.
The first picture shows it under construction.
The second picture shows its placement, without final details when we were setting up at our annual Science Museum of Virginia show.
The third and fourth pictures show the area detailed and ready to run.

This picture is in my driveway......when it is hot and sunny I use the "outdoor oven" to speed drying

This 5th picture shows the milk stand disassembled from its base. My wooden base build it back up to height......but in your situation, maybe just taking off the metal base will allow you to use it.

Peter

Many thanks to all for the great and helpful suggestions and especially the accompanying pictures. This really helps to get some ideas flowing.

I’ll continue to mull this over. In the meantime I should have posted a picture of the area in question. As you can see there’s not a lot of space. The white area used to have a Cattle Car Platform which I’ve moved.

Thanks again.

No space?  No problem! 

Mitch 

Thanks!  Big Jim. I like that N&W REA station!  Gonna have to shorten it in a model, but l have mulled over a site for sidings/excuse for baggage and RPO cars, and that looks like l imagine an REA freight house.  I like scratch-building...it is mandatory to get what you want, but there are interesting kits, too.

The old standby, foam board covered with brick paper.  Basic REA transfer station or railroad LTL/Express building.  John in Lansing, ILL

Here is a simple unloading dock made from foam board.  Pretty sure I have the Union Pacific version of the REA operating freight car.  The figures are Woodland Scenics dock workers.

Here's a loading dock and warehouse I built on a curved track.