Maine Factory Diorama

Ayup, that be where the Finest Kind Codfish Cakes is made! Ships all over the world, they does! Mighty fine old brick building, too. John Colley, Sonoma, CA

Interesting plan

I like the building plan...it would help to evaluate if you could be specific, is this a warehouse? Manufacturing? You mention coal deliveries, if they take carloads of coal or coke then they sound more like a foundry. How do the narrow gauge and standard gauge interrelate? Does one line bring in raw materials, the other ship finished goods? A bit of planning would help tell a visual story and help viewers interpret the scene.

I really like the interest of the dual gauge...or perhaps, since they are smaller, have the narrow gauge cross over to the viewer's side, so the trains are more visible. I suggest some windows in the wall panels over the large freight door...they were used for light, and IMHO the building would look more interesting with windows in those panels.

Will be interested to watch your progress...you are on to something here!

A cannery

A cannery will have a LARGE boiler consuming coal, but even other industries would use coal or oil to fire a boiler for building heat, a steam engine for line shaft driven equipment.

Coal Pit

Good day to ye,

Use 2-3 squares of Evergreen tile/sidewalk between the rails to simulate a pit cover.  Weather and rust heavily and sprinkle a little coal around it.

That way you don't have to cut into the roabed.

Jib Appropriate

Model the era; Walthers wasn't invented yet.

What it is--or what is it?

I'm not sure just what this building IS yet, other than a factory of some sort.  Primary goal:  A place to display and photograph equipment.  It could be anything, including a locomotive works, a furniture factory, a foundry, or anything else--I haven't decided yet.  (A foundry might be a poor choice, as it would take its coal on a dedicated spur with an elevated trestle.)  The dual gauge would need to be nearer the doors for unloading purposes.  The narrow gauge line brings some product in from the north and west, and occasionally some product out.  The 2 foot North Central covers a huge market. 

You're right about windows over the big freight door.  Would some steel sash windows be incorporated in a structure like this?  It will be mostly the smaller windows because that's what I have a lot of... 

When would the Walther's overhead crane be introduced for moving the heavy stuff?

Thanks for the input; I'll be removing flash and such today, and perhaps starting to glue.

Gluing Plastic--progress report

I've started gluing plastic on the factory/locomotive works/warehouse/foundry/whatever (I hope to decide soon!) 

Everything is DPM Modulars, and I made a slight change in which pieces go where.  I may not add the fourth story shown on my mock-up--lack of parts, so a hobby store trip (an hour each way) would be needed.  I scored the set here for only $15, with a lot more parts that are already earmarked for a different structure, and won't work adequately for the fourth floor.  How much would a partial fourth floor, set back against the wall, add to the look of the building.

If I make this a locomotive works, I'll make the far right edge into an inside corner, and add archways into the building.  The North Central, by 1925, is doing most of its own work--not building from scratch yet, but getting there.  (By the 1960's, they restore steam locomotives from around the nation, and even around the world...)

Tomorrow, with luck, I'll get the dock built.  I'll be adding partitions and adding lights and interiors to some parts of the building later on.

The spot for the hoppers to unload will be on the outer track, as will the tank car unloading spot; none of the Maine Narrow Gauge hoppers or tank cars come here to unload.

All thoughts will be much appreciated.

A note for builders--City Classics corner pieces helped with the corner; DPM modules do need some coercion to get a nice sharp 90 degree corner--or for long flats to stay FLAT.

Progress on the North Central Locomotive Works backdrop

I spray painted the factory with automotive primer, and the windows with matte flat white.  I used Robert's brick Mortar for the mortar; I might wipe more off on the left side of the building--though I've seen plenty of variety in real structures.

I'm undecided, as yet, if the dock should be wood, brick and concrete, or even a mix of both--an expansion being done in wood added to a brick structure.

The extra large loading door is for big, heavy items such as a locomotive boiler.

There will be partitions and some interior added.

How about a furniture manufacturer?

You could model a 1920s furniture manufacturer.  Raw lumber going in and fine finished furniture going out in boxcars. You could have external vertical tanks holding linseed oil delivered by tank car. Of course you will need to heat the plant.  You will need a boiler and tall smoke stack.  The majority of the heat in the winter could come from coal supplemented by scrap wood. If you go that route a furniture plant would have one large rooftop water tank for fire safety or more than one. Do a little research.

Den

A little bit more...

The factory will be a part of the North Central's Locomotive Works, which, in later years, will become the North Central's Restoration Shop.  (As restoration of historic railroad equipment becomes common, the North Central's reliance on steam into the 1970's and beyond allows it to become THE railroad restoration master in North America.)

I've added the platform, and cut the roof for the left side annex.  More today, if all's well...if not, then later in the week.

A skylight over part of the main complex, and a rooftop water tank, both seem appropriate.  I'll use a Tichy jib crane on the loading dock, and might put a Walthers overhead crane in, also--they were fairly new in the 1920's, so perhaps not.  (It also takes a lot of space if included in a photo diorama...)