Layout Expansion in progress 9-24-23 new factory added

I decided to add a saw mill to my layout, and will re use this area that has a coaling tower and water tower, as I have now added them to my engine service area.

The sawmill is a craftsman kit, and it is a real box of sticks, lots of cutting of parts. Going slow for me, but I think it is looking good.

As always open for comments and suggestions.

Rich, I like the sawmill a lot!!  It will be interesting to see how it develops.

Getting closer to completing the sawmill. I basically have the structure done, I am leaving the side of the roof off to be able to see the insides.  I also cleared the spot it will go on the layout.

Will be adding details next.

Fabulous work Rich! This is going to adorn the area you have cleared out. Can't wait to see the end result. Do you have any vids or panoramic pictures of your entire layout? Your shots in various areas of the layout always make me curious to what the entire layout looks like.

Dave

Looks great Rich!!

Outstanding work, Rich, all of it.

The sawmill is of great interest to me. What particular craftsman kit is it?

Bob

Thanks guys for the feedback,

Bob it is a KMP Models kit.  They don't sell on their website so I bought it from RS Laserkits  but it looks like MB Klien and Valley Model trains also carry these kits.

It is really a box of wooden sticks, lots of cutting, no laser cut parts, but some nice castings.  I like to think I have moderate building skills, but frankly this kit really was trying, as it had a lot of details steps.  I prefer when molding or laser cutting does some of the work for me, but This was the best looking kit for this size that I could find.

Now that it is done, I am pretty happy with it, Once on the layout with the details around it, and a flat car full of logs to be cut, it will look the part.

Rich883 posted:

I decided to add a saw mill to my layout, and will re use this area that has a coaling tower and water tower, as I have now added them to my engine service area.

The sawmill is a craftsman kit, and it is a real box of sticks, lots of cutting of parts. Going slow for me, but I think it is looking good.

As always open for comments and suggestions.

It’s a really great sawmill kit, and you’re doing a good job building it! It really is nice.  I got the same kit for Christmas about 3 years ago. I decided to build the shape differently, as a straight rectangle. I still need to scenic this lumber sawmill area of the layout. 

Thanks, Rich. It is the castings that I like. I want to build my own mill from home made strip wood and scale dimensional lumber - I don't mind cutting lots of sticks. But I cannot find separately sold castings suitable for a sawmill. Anyone know of a source?

Bob

Bob,

I was originally thinking the same thing, it was not so much the structure,but the details that I needed.  I did find the BTS makes such a interior detail kit for a saw mill,  Here is a link. http://www.btsrr.com/bts8301.htm.  It is a little had to find on the web site so hopefully that is OK.    I also think you could contact KMP and see if you could purchase the details.

Rich,

Thanks again. The complete BTS interior kit is over the top price-wise, but very impressive. I am glad to see that I can pick the items I want separately. I appreciate the tip.

Bob

That looks great, must have been a million sticks! 

Finally the sawmill is complete and on the layout!  Lots of effort, but I am happy with the results, more details can follow but a good start.

Next to the saw mill is an older scene I did with some worker paving a street. Worth reposting.

I added the right n track models Tanner building as my Wallace Armer hardware a few months back, and when I saw their lumber shed, it seemed like a good addition, and a destination for the lumber from the sawmill.  The kit comes with a small office building that I will use in another location.

As always open for comments and suggestions.

Chris, the sawmill and lumber shed both look great!! There is so much detail inside to be seen and admired!

Rich, awesomeness!

Rich,

Great job on the structures! I like what you did with the sawmill and the lumber shed. How did you weather the sawmill?

Andy

I haven't reviewed this long thread for more than a couple of pages; but with any lumber or logging operation, I look for a "Big Wheel".

Even if it's purely a decorative one outside of the business, it makes me grin

Double cut gang blades a close second.

Thanks guys for the comments.   Andy I use a wash of alcohol and India ink to weather most of my buildings.  I used that to weather the wood of the sawmill as well.  It was a few coats to get the color I wanted.

Hi Rich,

That looks great, you did a beautiful job !!!!!

Alex

Rich:

     Great looking sawmill and lumber shed. Awesome looking layout, too!

John

You need a mill pond and a slash burner. When I grew up in Oregon I don't think the slash burners ever went out.

Hey Rich,

The building you used for Standard Furniture is an iron works facility on my layout. I just finished the building last week. A very versatile structure! Here’s my version:

I’m really enjoying your thread. First class work all the way.

Andy

Well done, Rich!

Peter

Thanks for the nice comments guys, some good progress lately.

I just added a small office to the saw mill.

The office looks great and so does the layers of bark cut off the logs going int the mill!!

More progress in the past week.

I revisited an area with a row of homes to add some details and a new store next to the fruit and produce market.

The hobos have moved in to this old caboose

i have been upgrading some of the older buildings on the layout and this mth building is next.  Being replaced with a kit from right on track models.

as always comments and suggestions welcome

Rich, wonderful buildings and active scenes!!

Nice progress Rich, the additions look great.

Andy

Hi Rich, I just caught up on the last year's worth of updates.  Every thing has turned out spectacularly.  I've seen some of your handiwork included here over on the Sunday Scenic Showcase such as the sawmill.  The upper level building flats that aren't so flat and the icing platform came out really nice, I like the ice ramp that spans the first track.  The coal breaker building could also pass for a waterfront building such as a cannery, wharf warehouse, or boatyard suppl.

Rich,

Getting caught up on all your great updates. Your layout and work are a real inspiration! Keep the updates coming.

-Tom

Fantastic, Rich!

Peter

Beyond belief!  Huge room, makes me jealous.  You are a fantastic craftsman!

Jerry

Thanks for the nice comments guys.  

I have been updating some structures that I did earlier on the layout.  Here are the Baker feed and seed and the Kroger before they went on the layout.

Here the Baker Feed and Seed on the layout.

The Kroger was earlier built from Ameritown parts that I made early in the layout that I wanted to upgrade.

This is the replacement Kroger, and the interior before I placed it on the layout.

Baker Feed and Seed is a kit from Right on Track models, and I had the Kroger laser cut by them to my drawings and some photos I sent.

As always open to comments and suggestions.

Rich

That Kroger is very nice.  It really captures the look and feel of a small town grocery store.  The night time shots are particularly appealing

I do have a few suggestions, if I can be so presumptuous..

1) Add an outside light over the entrance way. Can be as simple as a bulb under the canopy

2) An an "uplight" on the Kroger sign on the sail panel on the roof.  It would look cool to see those letters lit at night.  You can use a gooseneck lamp that has been straightened out

3) Add a photograph of a real grocery store back wall on your back wall.  The idea is to hide that bare brown wall.  

Or, just leave it as it is..It's pretty impressive

Rich, both buildings are superb!  John does have good suggestions, but like he said, it is great as is!

Rich, very cool. One question I have is about the poster/sign on the feed & seed. They must be genuine poster/signs from what time period, 1930's? They are awesome. I thought I wasn't going to be able to read the one with the ear of corn on it, but the other photo covered it. Once again, very cool.

Rich they both look great on the layout.

Thanks for the nice words guys.

Dave, I pulled these images off the web, I just googled vintage feed signs, and came up with these, there are a lot out there.  In fact I did the same on the general store/gas station earlier in the thread.  Simply print on a thinker card stock, cut out and glue on the structure.

Hi Rich

Everything is looking great, you've been making a lot of progress. I've always wanted to see an overall picture of the layout and it would be great if you could take us for a ride on the rails with a video camera on the front of a engine.

Thanks, Alex

Looking awesome ! Love the theme .