You could make the necessary

You could make the necessary drawings and I would laser cut it for you !

That is great!

I think it is important that as modelers we strive to pick out small pieces of prototypical history and incorporate them into the layout.  You and I seem to be about the same "prototypical" age (for lack of a better way to put it that we are old), and now that my son and I are building a new layout we are trying hard when possible to place structures from my childhood (back in central Illinois) while we are modeling the Illinois Central and C.&E.I.  To me it is important that my son's son (he is about to become a Dad) can look at this layout a few years from now and see a structure that has a history about the places and family heritage that his father and grandfather came from.  Best of luck with the structure.

Rick

That looks like an interesting structure. Looks like a reasonable facsimile could also be made using DPM power house, windows along with the steel sash windows and a couple of freight door sections along with some blank walls. Although that would not look as nice as the items Michael and his elves do as it could them be made very very accurate.

Nice thoughts on a great building

I think I'd be learning CAD software.....

If I had a friend like Michael nearby!!  But whatever route you choose to go Rick, I'm sure it will turn out great.  I see scenes and buildings all the time  and also have memories of things I've seen and thought... " that would be great to incorporate into the layout."

Michael, thank you for your kind offer!

It is a tempting offer to have you laser cut the structure for me; however, I'm convinced that I can kitbash one faster than I can draw one up and I know I'll enjoy the build more.  I certainly will take a rain check and will probably try to use it on having you help me laser scratchbuild my boyhood home!

Thanks guys for your comments

I believe that there are many of us that are very happy to have a "general" reminder of our childhood memories without going to the nth degree to make a contest winning quality model.  I'm not knocking that - if it's your thing, then go for it!  I know I certainly enjoy looking at such masterpieces!

Photo Backdrop of the Building

I am not sure how you are situating the the building on your layout, but if if you have appropriate pictures of the buildings you may be able to create a photo backdrop to provide additional depth and scale to the complex. Something like Mike Confalone's Allagash paper mill. One of our club modelers is working on a coal tipple where only the three bay coal loader is modeled. With the tipple back in a coved corner, similar to Mike's layout, the view is limited and the perspective works. (We did have to have a young-un climb a tree to get the appropriate angle for the picture.)

Ken K - thanks for the suggestion

I've already got the backdrop in place but I appreciate your idea.

Here's the area where Palmer will go.  The boxcar is sitting on the track that will be inside of the building.

Hurry up...

I can't wait to see it in its location.  That is going to look awesome.  Well, it already looks awesome, but it is going to look more awesomer.    

Randy

Rick

Michael, and the elves would already be thinking about adding an interior to the building. All kidding aside have you thought about the structure or structures you will use to kit bash the structure. It might be nice to see posts about your choices of materials or items you are considering.

Rob in Texas

I have decided to use the Walther's "Gas Plant" as the base structure and it will have an interior.  As far as posting, I'm thinking about doing an article for MRH so I may not post progress on the project.

Rick

That would I think make an interesting article, I for one am looking forward to reading it and I'll bet there will be others as well. You can tell Joe you already have some interest among the subscribers.