Seeking BTS coal tipple lessons learned

Ed,

Here are the pictures of the one I built.   I added to the height.

Wonderful model building.  I  have the template for the retaining wall upper level for anyone who is interested.

The two retaining walls, slope sheet support structure, and bracing, are part of the kit.  Concrete foundations and upper level slope are not.

Model is on display, through the end of the month, McDonalds Restaurant, Beaver (Vanport) PA. for those local.   There is a glass case display near the counter. 

 Mike CT

Mike great tips and information.    Stu, I like your lighting too.   Subtle and well done.

I like the stair modification .  The upper stair case, leading from the car fill control room, to the mine room house, is extremely steep, any ideas about modifying these steps??

The stair rise (vertical) is almost twice the tread (horizontal), which is more of a ladder, than a set of steps.

Mike,

The steepness of the upper stairs is based on the distance.  To make the stairs less steep you could move the stairs further from the building so it ends up at the side of the top conveyor building.  Then have a side door or walk way back to the original door or around to the back of the building.   I didn't find the steepness to be a problem.    If you have ever  been on a tall sailing ship the stairs are steep and are actually referred to as ladders.

Here is a picture of my breaker being installed on the layout.  You will notice a track between the breaker and front building which is why that stair was changed and two  tracks at the back under the top conveyor building. The 2 back tracks are the reason i had to raise the height of the breaker.

Ed,

You originally asked for the build time.   I spent around 57 hours.

I still drool over those B.T.S.! Nice work everyone. They're at the top of my budget AND, I don't think I can use them due to their track requirements. But I wish I could...

Do you still have the template for the upper retaining wall? I am building this kit. Would love to have the template.

Dr. Brooke Seckel posted:

Do you still have the template for the upper retaining wall? I am building this kit. Would love to have the template.

I do not have a template.  the retaining wall will be based on your scenery.   I suggest you do your background scenery then make the retaining wall to fit.   Scenic Express makes some nice looking foam retaining walls that you can cut to size and paint.

thank you

Mike CT posted:

Wonderful model building.  I  have the template for the retaining wall upper level for anyone who is interested.

The two retaining walls, slope sheet support structure, and bracing, are part of the kit.  Concrete foundations and upper level slope are not.

Model is on display, through the end of the month, McDonalds Restaurant, Beaver (Vanport) PA. for those local.   There is a glass case display near the counter. 

 Mike CT

Mike,

Beautiful work. Do you still have the template for the slope as you mentioned? I am building the kit.

Mike CT posted:

Stains.  (Retaining walls)  Minwax Dark Walnut.

(Stairs, hand rails, floors). Minwax Golden Oak.

Spray can paints. Shingles,  

Rust-oleum Camouflage Army Green.

 Rust-oleum Camouflage Brown

 

 Walls   Krylon Camouflage Khaki.  Khaki also works well for aged concrete.

 Window sash  Krylon White.

Model paints.  Trim.  Polyscale Railroad Tie Brown (Heavy framing structure)  and Polyscale Roof Brown (Window door trim).

Weathering Polyscale Grimmy black.

Conveyor equipment was Polyscale Coach Green. Krylon Flat Black

 Please let me know if I missed anything.

Spray can Paints were applied to both side of the card stock, which limited warping.

Paper Shingles were also sprayed on the sticky-back cards before application.

Caution:  Paper shingles shrink if applied and then spray painted.  

Most painting was done before assembly. 

 Mike CT

Mike,

What material did you use to fabricate the slope sheet bracing foundations

Mike,

Question 1:   What material did you use to fabricate the slope sheet bracing foundations?   Poplar, or pine wood, cut blocks.    

Question 2:  Do you still have the template for the slope as you mentioned? I am building the kit??  Yes.   There are several cut luan board (plywood) templates of the side profile pictured.  I was going to use them to continue the mountain profile on the layout.    Contact   Thompsonelectric@gmail.com   I'll mail you one, no charge.   

Thank you.

Brooke Seckel

25 Fairhaven Road

Concord, MA 01742

What colors did you use for building siding and trim?

Sorry-I read that you posted colors!

Side panel was shipped today.     Let me know when you receive it.    Mike CT.  

Thank you!!

Will do

Mike,

The Templates arrived. Thank you very much.

Brooke