Grain Elevator Trial and Error

[CacheJunction]

I have been trying to build an elevator that can have different siding material, but it has been a LOT of trial and error. The first version was corrugated siding:





The inner walls were too thin and I got a lot of warping. And a lot of the edges didn't match up, etc.

So I made some adjustments and tried again, this time with a boarded siding:





Much better results! I'm hoping to paint it to look like this:



I love this look! Not quite as much as rusty corrugation, mind you.

I'll get the roofing on tomorrow. I was going to use ribbed aluminum.

[eja]

Sweet  !!

[ednadolski]

Nice work!   Looking forward to seeing more! 

(Most of my trials lately have been leading to errors     But if I keep at it long enough, something worth keeping should eventually emerge... law of averages, eh..? )

Ed

[chuck geiger]

Both versions excellent, even the ADM from Walthers had warped walls and seams that didn't work.

[peteski]

Nice!  It sure helps to have a laser cutter as one of your personal hobby tools (and know how to use it). 

[screeh]

That's very impressive!

Here's a challenge for you: can you construct the sides in a way that includes the slightly flared section at the bottom, which I believe is a common/signature feature of Canadian wood crib elevators?

I also encourage you to try a variation on the metal siding, as I've seen many photos of old elevators covered with square pressed metal sheeting (especially those operated by Manitoba Pool) but never come across a model of that style.

...and don't forget the annex!

[CacheJunction]

Here's a challenge for you: can you construct the sides in a way that includes the slightly flared section at the bottom, which I believe is a common/signature feature of Canadian wood crib elevators?

I also encourage you to try a variation on the metal siding, as I've seen many photos of old elevators covered with square pressed metal sheeting (especially those operated by Manitoba Pool) but never come across a model of that style.

...and don't forget the annex!

Can you show me a picture of one of these cribs? The flare would absolutely be possible, and fun to do. Maybe in the future? Is that a popular style?

Forgive my ignorance of terms. What is the annex?

Did some painting and put the roofs on:





Tomorrow I'll weather the roofing and see if I can add the doors and windows.

[asarge]

Nice! Both times.

[PAL_Houston]

That's very impressive!

Here's a challenge for you: can you construct the sides in a way that includes the slightly flared section at the bottom, which I believe is a common/signature feature of Canadian wood crib elevators?

That is very impressive, CacheJunction!  What did you use for materials for the wood siding?

Sreeh: ... but I had always thought that that apparent flare was a parallax effect, owing to viewing (or photographing) the structure from ground level.

[amato1969]

Sweet build !!!

[peteski]

That is very impressive, CacheJunction!  What did you use for materials for the wood siding?

I have a feeling that the wood boards are all laser engraved on a solid sheet of material.

[screeh]

That model's shaping up very nicely, CacheJunction - I'll take two 

Can you show me a picture of one of these cribs? The flare would absolutely be possible, and fun to do. Maybe in the future? Is that a popular style?

Forgive my ignorance of terms. What is the annex?

Sreeh: ... but I had always thought that that apparent flare was a parallax effect, owing to viewing (or photographing) the structure from ground level.

I live on the other side of the world so my knowedge on this is entirely secondhand - luckily for me, there are several websites with extensive photo collections, including http://grainelevators.ca/ and http://www.canadianrailroads.ca/rail/grindex.htm as well as the source for many of the examples provided below, http://vanishingalberta.ca/Home.html.  Eric Gagnon has plenty of shots scattered throughout his wonderful Trackside Treasure blog, look at http://tracksidetreasure.blogspot.com.au/search/label/grain%20elevator

My understanding is that Canadian wood crib elevators often had flared skirting to help control humidity/moisture. Stafford Swain wrote an excellent article in the July 1983 Railroad Model Craftsman on 'prairie skyscrapers' where he explained that:
"As water or seepage from melting snow would cause the deterioration of the structure and its contents, the base of the elevator was skirted in with the same cedar lap siding that the basic elevator exterior was clad with.  Normally this skirting was flared outwards to help direct runoff away from the edge of the buidling and to permit good air circulation underneath."

You can see this at the base of the Alberta Pool elevator in Acme, AB http://www.canadianrailroads.ca/rail/alta-acme.htm and also this ex-Manitboa Pool elevator that was relocated to Saban Farms in Regent, MB http://vanishingalberta.ca/Manitoba_Elevators_files/Media/gallery_1_1106_16178/gallery_1_1106_16178.jpg

Annexes are buildings connected to the elevator with additional grain bins.  Some are very similar in design to the elevator (e.g. the old United Grain Growers elevator at Silverton, MB http://vanishingalberta.ca/Manitoba_Elevators_files/Media/silverton/silverton.jpg and the former Manitoba Pool elevator at Russell MB http://vanishingalberta.ca/Manitoba_Elevators_files/Media/DSCF1960/DSCF1960.jpg?disposition=download) while others have outside bracing (e.g. Parrish & Heimbecker's elevator at Milk River AB http://vanishingalberta.ca/P%26H_files/Media/Milk%20River1/Milk%20River1.jpg) or a ribbed exterior (e.g. the Paterson elevator preserved at Inglis MB http://vanishingalberta.ca/Manitoba_Elevators_files/Media/DSCF1972/DSCF1972.jpg?disposition=download)

...and with that, I'll draw this little online masterclass to a conclusion!

Cheers,
 
Stu

[CacheJunction]

I have a feeling that the wood boards are all laser engraved on a solid sheet of material.

Correct! Its laser board and I designed it so it would be easy to make this effect. I don't consider myself a great weatherer, so this texture was the result of wanting to make the process simpler.

[CacheJunction]

That model's shaping up very nicely, CacheJunction - I'll take two 
I live on the other side of the world so my knowedge on this is entirely secondhand - luckily for me, there are several websites with extensive photo collections, including http://grainelevators.ca/ and http://www.canadianrailroads.ca/rail/grindex.htm as well as the source for many of the examples provided below, http://vanishingalberta.ca/Home.html.  Eric Gagnon has plenty of shots scattered throughout his wonderful Trackside Treasure blog, look at http://tracksidetreasure.blogspot.com.au/search/label/grain%20elevator

My understanding is that Canadian wood crib elevators often had flared skirting to help control humidity/moisture. Stafford Swain wrote an excellent article in the July 1983 Railroad Model Craftsman on 'prairie skyscrapers' where he explained that:
"As water or seepage from melting snow would cause the deterioration of the structure and its contents, the base of the elevator was skirted in with the same cedar lap siding that the basic elevator exterior was clad with.  Normally this skirting was flared outwards to help direct runoff away from the edge of the buidling and to permit good air circulation underneath."

You can see this at the base of the Alberta Pool elevator in Acme, AB http://www.canadianrailroads.ca/rail/alta-acme.htm and also this ex-Manitboa Pool elevator that was relocated to Saban Farms in Regent, MB http://vanishingalberta.ca/Manitoba_Elevators_files/Media/gallery_1_1106_16178/gallery_1_1106_16178.jpg

Annexes are buildings connected to the elevator with additional grain bins.  Some are very similar in design to the elevator (e.g. the old United Grain Growers elevator at Silverton, MB http://vanishingalberta.ca/Manitoba_Elevators_files/Media/silverton/silverton.jpg and the former Manitoba Pool elevator at Russell MB http://vanishingalberta.ca/Manitoba_Elevators_files/Media/DSCF1960/DSCF1960.jpg?disposition=download) while others have outside bracing (e.g. Parrish & Heimbecker's elevator at Milk River AB http://vanishingalberta.ca/P%26H_files/Media/Milk%20River1/Milk%20River1.jpg) or a ribbed exterior (e.g. the Paterson elevator preserved at Inglis MB http://vanishingalberta.ca/Manitoba_Elevators_files/Media/DSCF1972/DSCF1972.jpg?disposition=download)

...and with that, I'll draw this little online masterclass to a conclusion!

Cheers,
 
Stu

Woah...good information. I didn't design this model to come with a crib or annex, but that will definitely be an add on in the future for sure! Thanks!

[CacheJunction]

Here are the final pictures. They will be the last pics I post for this thread. Thanks for all the tips and encouragement!  Enjoy!







Don't forget to visit my website, www.bergennationallaser.com