Open Air Locomotive Shed???

Do a Google search for "Pecos Valley Southern Railroad Photos". I have seen several photos posted over the years, of their open air enginehouse.

I believe there is a builder on here that makes open air locomotive sheds. You can find him by googling model structures for model railroads

There was a set of plans in an RMC planbook many years ago describing one with a drawing.    I built it and still have it.   It has been upgraded a couple of times.     It is much like the one in the photo, basically 2-stalls.

Thanks guys!

While I was reading the posts I started to envision what it was I really wanted so I started making marks on a piece of paper.  I had to move onto a larger sheet but drew out a preliminary of what I'm after:

Covered roof, open sides&ends with massive wooden support posts on a concrete foundation (or maybe planted into the ground and no concrete).  I'll probably attach a small work shop on the low-side of the roof, continuing that section of roof where the shop will be.

This will be 2" shorter in height and width, and 6" shorter in length than the MTH single engine facility I have now.  It will take up less space and be easier to see over (I have 2 hand-thrown switches directly behind the MTH structure).

I've found I don't like NOT being able to see the engines when they are in the current shed, plus at 24" and me running battery power, I have to leave the tender hanging out to turn off the battery!!!  6" shorter length will leave the tender hanging out (on purpose) plus with the open sides I will be able to see if the crews are doing their jobs

Would bass wood be the material of choice?

Go check Model Structures for their locomotive "sheds".  They are basically what local farmers would call a "hay barn" or "pole barn".  As you showed above, they are simply upright structural posts (around here, mostly telephone poles) with a shed build on top.  My dad built one for mares and foals out of telephone poles, corrugated metal and 2x12 bracing around the top and as rafters.

Most Oklahoma regional short lines railroads simply have "parking areas" in small towns. The two GP7/GP9 rebuilds assigned locally simply "tie up" on a siding.  Our local rail service is a "dead end" line since a flood in the 50s knocked out southbound rails.  So while we may be "southern" compared to most OGR regulars, try telling that to the crew trying to cold start their locomotive during one of our ice storms in January-March.  Or during a cloudless day with heat index above 113F.

A nice pole barn would be much appreciated, even if the sides were wide open.

Bob, My personal preference is Poplar. You can get it at the big box stores and rip it on a table saw. It has a nice grain, and can be worked easily with Exacto tools.

Bob:

Below are samples of single engine open air sheds I have built. They are based on open air sheds in the southwest which were situated along the track route for fast repairs.

See http://www.modelstructuresinc....ocomotive-sheds.html for more samples.

I also added a photo so you can get an idea of the superstructure. It is all Plastruct components.

Joe

Tony, your description is about what I'm looking for.

Clarence, Poplar it is, thanks!

Joe, thanks for the pics!  A bit too "diesel" for me, but it's a start.

I'll keep researching for a while, no big rush.

In one of my magazines I recall them talking about servicing engines in the open, no building of any kind, down in Florida.  I think I'll take another look thru ALL the magazines I have and see what I find.

more later!

Most of the photos of steam sheds l remember were decrepit wooden but really enclosed, engine houses. Open ones l have seen photos of l remember as being in Cuba, Mexico, or Peru, oh. I think Hawaii. 

You're Welcome

Bob Delbridge posted:

Tony, your description is about what I'm looking for.

Clarence, Poplar it is, thanks!

Joe, thanks for the pics!  A bit too "diesel" for me, but it's a start.

I'll keep researching for a while, no big rush.

In one of my magazines I recall them talking about servicing engines in the open, no building of any kind, down in Florida.  I think I'll take another look thru ALL the magazines I have and see what I find.

more later!

Bob:

Actually those sheds were built in the steam era and kept for diesels when they took over. See the photos below for Magma RR in Arizona