Update: 5-26-12...Granary Complex completed...lots of pictures!

Wow.  Very good.  Alot of attention to detail and thought went into it, clearly. 

I like the power plant, too.

Thanks Lee....coming from a great detail person like you means a lot....

Alan

Outstanding, that is all I can say.

Very nice job, just AWESOME, Congrats.

very impressive complex.  Thanks for all the detailed photos

Alan - Very nice job! You have captured the great look and feel of a grain facility. I also am impressed with all the extra details that you have added, nice job!

When you weather it and apply the signage it will be awesome. What type a facility are you going to call it? A normal grain elevator or a flour mill?

Art

Well laid out great use of detail! Perfect compact fit for your space.

Many years ago when I worked at a local grain elevator a couple of details that are common;  on the rails are lots of spilled grain around. some green where some is starting to grow and flocks of seagulls and crows eating the grain all over the tracks. Lots of white streaks on the roofs from bird droppings!!!

Thanks for the nice comments and suggestions guys.  It is always great when so many of you take an interest which helps me do a better job!!

Art....I am trying to decide...I think it could be either but what do you do???  Let me know as I am interested in your opinion.  I was thinking of adding a checkboard pattern but perhaps it would be better to just have some sort of generic signage???

Alan

Alan - I personally like the local grain elevator look of say Farmers Coop Elevator with then either Coop or Purina smaller signs advertising special products. On mine I think I will go with flour mill signage as I have to have a source to fill my Wonder/Hostess flour covered hoppers that will supply my Wonder Bread Bakery. I haven't decided on the exact name yet but it will probably have something to do with Kansas.

Art

beautiful job-there is a lot of talent from  the forum members-still awed by southern train station pics in scenery section and now this grainery.

Outstanding!

Alan, Your GRAIN COMPLEX is A W E S O M E!!!!!! Your detail is excelent. The place ment of the ECHO items really enhances the entire complex. The natural Sun light on the Complex makes it all so realistic. GREAT JOB!!!!

Thanks Art....I think I will go the route you suggest, I like that idea.

Alan

Thanks Joseph and Lee...

Bill....Thanks so much.  I am looking forward to seeing your completed grain complex...it will put this one to shame!!

Alan

Alan,

I am looking forward to seeing this and the rest of your layout next weekend.

Roger....can't wait to see you guys!!  We have twenty people or so that have said they are coming....

Alan

I have updated this post above with 8 new pictures.....

Thanks for looking!

Alan

VERY, very nice!!!  Thanks for sharing.

David

Alan - That looks very nice! It might be a little too clean looking, but apparently the Twin Lakes group has a lot of pride and has kept it up. LOL

An important thing with a modern grain elevator is to have that massive, tallest building in the area look to it. You have accomplished that very well especially with all the smaller, older structures that are a part of the complex.

Very nice job!

Art

Thanks David!

You too Art....my next project will be to "dirty" it up so I will take your advice and weather the structure as well as the surrounding supporting structures...

Alan

Alan, Outstanding! Great looking grain elevator complex. I have two small country elevators but no large elevator complex to ship the grain too. Your pictures of the complex have given me some great ideals for the "Big One".

 Thanks!

That looks awesome Alan! You really do have the "eye' to capture just the right look to a scene... it's a gift!

On April 14, Roger wrote:

"Alan, I am looking forward to seeing this and the rest of your layout next weekend."

I am sure that Roger, as well as the rest of us lucky ones who have been there, have found how much more impressive your creations are than what pictures can portray.

Your latest additions, with the red-and-white checkered stripes, sure add a lot. What an eye pleasing (catching) detail! Simply great.

Alex

Just beautiful Alan, you have a great eye to create an impressive

scene. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks again, Alex

Very Nice Grain Complex Alan. Looks great.

I am using some of the same ERTL grain bins as I see you've incorporated into your layout, but I dismantled them, painted the stand and ladder flat black, and the bin itself chrome aluminum to give it more of that galvanized steel look. I think it took away a lot of the "plastic" look of those bins. Although I have much to do in the fill spout arena and various augers, etc.., I really liked the end result of the bins. As with every grain elevator, there needs to be that scale for the truck loads, so that is also incorporated in to the scene.

   I've enjoyed the progress photos of your complex.

Mark

Keith.....Thank you!!  I hope to someday be able to see your layout.  Perhaps you will sponsor a get together for our Mid-America group in the future..???

David...Thanks!

Alex....Thank you for the very nice compliment.  Our home is alway open to you and Judy!

Alex M....I only hope my "eye" is as good as yours!  I noticed I missed a great deal you had on the For Sale board...those buildings would have worked great for my western expansion now in progress!!..darned!!

Mark....your silos look great.  I have planned to paint those you see in the pictures.  I am going to use a bright aluminum instead of the chrome since I think it will be easier to weather them (when I get around to it!)......By the way, the silos with the stands and large safety cages are not Ertl but another brand I purchased at a local farm store.  Are the ones in your pictures really Ertl???

Thanks,

Alan

This elevator complex, with its older wooden elevator now overwhelmed by later poured concrete one, can find its prototype on the outskirts of Indianapolis, or

in photos of the tiny town of Thackery, Ohio (where the wooden elevator has since been removed) on the DT&I, and, probably, wherever you found the inspiration.  I

do like these structures and your model. 

Thanks so much "coloradohirailer"....  I wanted the scene to look like there had been earlier elevators and that over time the area developed into a complex to distribute to both truck and rail....

Alan