More progress - I've almost completed assembly of the truck load hopper unit. Support girders, base with curbs, ladders and railings installed. I'm still debating how to install the handrails along the tops of the hoppers. I may go w/ scratchbuilt handrails made from styrene rod instead of the GMM etched metal, so as not to be so limited in the locations of the vertical poles....any thoughts?
I've been trying to pump myself up to attempt my first complete scratchbuild... Then I find this thread... You make it look SOOOO easy, but now I'm more intimidated than ever! Excuse me while I slink back to my Walthers kit... :tb-embarrassed:
Outstanding! 1,I'm green with envy! 2 I'm drooling on my keyboard! 3 I cant wait to see the finished project! :tb-shocked:
Looking forward to more of your scratchbuilding wizardry! Have you any idea how you're gonna paint this model?
Dave, I would shy away from styrene rails - I think it would be too fragile. You might have a look at Traincat's walkway set: Traincat It looks like it might have a smaller post spacing... These guys in the UK have some nice stuff too: Scale Link Ltd. -Gary Oh, by the way - your mill looks hot!
Dave, simply spectacular! That's not a very large structure judging by the loading bay underneath. Start simple and work your way forward.
Really nice Dave! I come to Modesto frequently to attend events at Gallo. I always have something new to look for. You are a true artist! Steve E.
Cutting the brass railing and soldering at a position to fit your scenario isn't that difficult. That's the way I would and have personally handled similar situations.
Thanks for the kind words gang. I'll have to check out those other railing options. Yeah - it's gonna be a challenge, the ol' airbrush will get a workout! I'm trying to build it in 'modules so I can paint each one individually. But I've got 2 more elevator tower assemblies, and lots of tanks, piping, railing and ladders to go before I need to think about painting
Here's another month's worth of progress, in between everything else going on in life . I'm pretty much done with the trackside hopper complex now, the only thing left are some GMM industrial stairs to access the top from the main elevator building. The GMM ladders and railings were really slow going - I had to do alot of cutting and solding for all the various walkways, and thinking through how I was going to make the ladders so it all 'works' was a challenge. I'm sure I've got a few OSHA violations, but it's close enough for me . Here are a couple of shots of the complex:
And here's how it's going to look on the layout. Next up is the big cylindrical hoppers on the other side of the main elevator building - one more tall elevator to make, more piping & walkways, and detail on the PVC hoppers....
Great Scratchbuild That must have taken a lot of time looking at photos. Even the model seems very complex to build. I guess you just take it by the component parts and next thing you know, there's the mill! :thumbs_up:
