The Canal Line

[Wardie]

Just wanted to mention this is one of my favorite layout threads too. Thanks for what you contribute here.

[txronharris]

Hmmm . . . a FB doppelganger? 

Sorry about that...was looking at several layouts here and mistakenly said FB page. Regardless, excellent modelling and your track work with the weeds is especially good. That's what I'm planning to do on several sections of my trackage and I will be using that pic for a reference. Like how your subtle details on the bridge work without being obvious. Like I said before, excellent skills on display here.

[coosvalley]

Thanks guys!

OK, so I have a decision to make and hope you guys can help.....Chimneys, or no chimneys?

[svedblen]

Chimneys!

[nickelplate759]

No chimneys.  Or rather, very few.

Here's why:
1. It makes your mill look much smaller
2. My memories of New-England (where I grew up in the time period you are modeling) mill buildings have very few chimneys in them.  Checking pictures online suggests that as well.

[wazzou]

I think the more you have, the line becomes blurred between renovated mills turned into condos or active mills.
Disclaimer...IMHO

[peteski]

I would say chimneys, but not as many.  They do add some visual interest.

I did find bird's eye drawings of old mills and the roofs are fairly bare, but I still like few chimneys (and some other doo-dads on the roof).

https://www.digitalcommonwealth.org/search/commonwealth:4j03dd669
https://www.digitalcommonwealth.org/search/commonwealth:ww72c1012

Code: [Select]

https://www.digitalcommonwealth.org/search?f[institution_name_ssim][]=American+Textile+History+Museum&f[subject_geographic_ssim][]=New+HampshireCopy/paste the URL above into your browser. Since it uses square bracket in the URL string it was interfering with forum's syntax, I was no able to post it as a clickable link.

[davefoxx]

I would say chimneys, but not as many.  They do add some visual interest.

^This.

[coosvalley]

Thanks for the replies!

I would say chimneys, but not as many.  They do add some visual interest.

Hmmm, I think I agree..I'll mock it up later and snap some pics

[coosvalley]

I managed to put this video together. Please forgive my videographer skills, which need work, and my editing skills, which are even worse...Nothing fancy, but at least you can see the trains in motion!

[coosvalley]

Back to the chimneys...Tell me what ya think of these 2 options..If I go with pic #2, which I kinda like, I would add some sort of small boiler house where the loading dock/trailers are at the base of the large chimney, I have not yet found my structure that I'm picturing using...And the chimney itself would be better refined, right now it's just another elevator or sitting on top..

[nickelplate759]

I like the fewer roof-top chimneys a lot.  Regarding the boiler house and big chimey - could you keep the elevator shaft AND add a big round brick chimney and boiler house?   Otherwise, yes, nothing says old factory like a big brick chimney and boiler house.

Regarding your video - my recollection of 1970s-era B&M is that their trackwork wasn't as smooth as yours... 

[Cameron_Talley]

The Fewer chimneys option looks great--No chimneys just looks odd for some reason, but the first example you posted had too many. 

[Lemosteam]

Being that your era is likely after srtuctures were converted from coal or oil to heat them, the chimneys over the windowed areas and/or office space would likely have been mere remnants of heting systems no longer used.

As such I like the reduced number, and maybe even a fallen/crumbling chimney on one or two of the spots you have chosen.

[coosvalley]

I like the fewer roof-top chimneys a lot.  Regarding the boiler house and big chimey - could you keep the elevator shaft AND add a big round brick chimney and boiler house?   Otherwise, yes, nothing says old factory like a big brick chimney and boiler house.

Regarding your video - my recollection of 1970s-era B&M is that their trackwork wasn't as smooth as yours... 

I will try this idea:..It might look funny with the elevator next to a chimney though.. I'll have to decide after mocking it up.

I wish I could model dilapidated trackwork!..But aside from a couple of low joints, my trackwork came out pretty flat, but at least the engine keeps moving!

As such I like the reduced number, and maybe even a fallen/crumbling chimney on one or two of the spots you have chosen.

I'll have to find something to resemble broken bricks, but I like this idea too.



Eventually, there will be other doo-dads on the roof as well, but the roof pieces have square holes that for the chimneys that will have to be filled, hence the need to decide if they are going to stay. I already filled about half of them, if they didn't have a corresponding brick-between-the-windows spot, if that makes sense.

And you may notice my windows look very uniform, something I am hoping to fix one of 2 ways, the first, and the one I hope for the most, is to replace the visible windows with TrainCat ones, but that, of course, depends on if he ever decides to return to the hobby. Option 2 is to modify some windows I have leftover, to at least have a few open windows. I'm calling it August, so I should probably have a bunch open, if this factory is supposed to still be in business!..A couple A/C units for the office section might look good too.


BTW, Thanks to ALL of you for your input on this and other projects here.