Scratchbuild project - Modesto J.S. West Mill complex

dave n Nov 20, 2009

  1. dave n

    dave n TrainBoard Supporter

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    Here's my next project along 9th Street in downtown Modesto. The J.S. West mill complex. The prototype complex takes up an entire city block, and includes a furniture store and feed store along with the mill. I don't have room for the furniture store and am going to have to relocate the feed store, but I'm going to try to do all of the silos and hoppers. It seems like a pretty cool project as it's a pretty compact operation. Lots of details though!

    Here's a few prototype pictures - the first one is mine from 1998, the others are compliments of Google Maps:

    [​IMG]

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  2. dave n

    dave n TrainBoard Supporter

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    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    And here's the start of the project. The elevator building is first.

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 6, 2011
  3. dave n

    dave n TrainBoard Supporter

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    I posted another thread asking about how to make the silos - I went w/ the PVC method. They still need detailing....

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 6, 2011
  4. 3DTrains

    3DTrains TrainBoard Supporter

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    Nice work so far, Dave. I'm keeping an eye on this project. :)
     
  5. subwayaz

    subwayaz TrainBoard Member

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    That's cool Dave, neat looking project. Yep I'll be keeping my eyes on this project also.
    Always a worthwhile watch:tb-wink::thumbs_up:

    Glen
     
  6. Tudor

    Tudor TrainBoard Member

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    Yup.. Remember that block too.. I used to buy my Alfalfa there to take out to my sister's ranch in the foothills where my wife and daughters horses were.. Again, just a few blocks away from where we lived. I think that entire block were all affiliated and owned by the same family wasn't it?
     
  7. Caleb Austin

    Caleb Austin TrainBoard Member

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    That is definitely a cool project. Looking forward to seeing how this progresses!
     
  8. dave n

    dave n TrainBoard Supporter

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    The storage hoppers on the SP track side taking shape. The prototype is a hodge-podge of different size/style equipment cobbled together over the years. I'm really having to study my pictures and slides....This is a fun project!
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 6, 2011
  9. ArtinCA

    ArtinCA TrainBoard Member

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    Neat stuff Dave. I shot some photos of that place as well as a truck making a delivery. Just drove over the bin in the ground they unloaded cars at and dumped.
     
  10. Chaya

    Chaya TrainBoard Supporter

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    Ooo, nice work, Dave. Your building and hoppers look perfect. How did you get the angles on the hoppers just right? Did you eyeball it? Build mock-ups? Or did you actually calculate them?
     
  11. PacRail

    PacRail TrainBoard Supporter

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    Another simply amazing project. Your projects would make a great series in either of the n scale magazines. (Or blow the minds of those in the other scales if a certain magazine would run even a few photos of just one of your projects.)
     
  12. dave n

    dave n TrainBoard Supporter

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    Thanks gang. Chaya - I usually make scale drawings of the structures that I'm building. I work off of photographs, and try to to get the drawings/dimensions as close to 'right' as I can. So I guess to answer your question, I 'eyeball' it with a ruler :).
     
  13. OC Engineer JD

    OC Engineer JD Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Can't wait to see the finished model!!!! :)
     
  14. Denali_Subdivision

    Denali_Subdivision TrainBoard Member

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    Dave, you are doing some great work!! Im looking forward to seeing this progress :D
     
  15. dave n

    dave n TrainBoard Supporter

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    Here's a progress shot of the hoppers on the SP mainline side.
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 6, 2011
  16. bravogjt

    bravogjt TrainBoard Member

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    Wow!! It sure looks like the prototype. This is looking to be an awesome scratch build!

    Ben
     
  17. CSXDixieLine

    CSXDixieLine Passed Away January 27, 2013 In Memoriam

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    Nice! You sure have a good hand for this stuff. Jamie
     
  18. Mark Watson

    Mark Watson TrainBoard Member

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    This one's gonna be great! Thanks for letting us follow along with you, great work!
     
  19. Chaya

    Chaya TrainBoard Supporter

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    Awesome, Dave. Thanks for keeping us updated with photos.
     
  20. Denali_Subdivision

    Denali_Subdivision TrainBoard Member

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    Dave, those hoppers are turning out great!!

    Do you have a thread with other pictures of your layout, or are you just starting and this is your first project for the M&ET layout?
     

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