Not the Seaboard 2.0

[Dave V]

That’s how I used it.  The only bit that doesn’t make sense is that the semaphore blade has three lenses instead of two.

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[Cajonpassfan]

Hmm, read #71
Otto K.

[Dave V]

Hmm, read #71
Otto K.

Oops.   

For me though there’d be no “on the fly” at Aspen since it was the end of a branch but I’m not going to lose sleep over it.

[narrowminded]

That’s how I used it.  The only bit that doesn’t make sense is that the semaphore blade has three lenses instead of two.

(Attachment Link)

That's the same station, base and all!   It's amazing what a few details and some color differences do to a look.

And Dave, I feel that I have a scene of that flavor in my future.  I love it!   My doctor says this will all pass and the headaches will stop.

[Cajonpassfan]

Oops.   

For me though there’d be no “on the fly” at Aspen since it was the end of a branch but I’m not going to lose sleep over it.

Lol, I wouldn't either.
Besides the term "on the fly" probably doesn't apply to the RGS 
Otto K.

[narrowminded]

Still have a lot of details in the works but starting to consider some of the next projects.   One is the sandy area in the front of this picture and another is the propane dealer.  The propane dealer is probably wrong for a fifties era but an oil dealer wouldn't be.  Still kicking that around.

What I'm starting to narrow in on for the sandy area with the real short siding is the possibility of a house coal dealer.  A small pit under the rails, a portable wheeled conveyor, a small shed, a dump truck or two, maybe a backhoe, and not much more.  Takes one or maybe two, two bay hoppers at a time.  Not sure if the room's there but the idea strikes my fancy and it would keep the hacking concentrated to that area.  Little specific has been done.  The idea just hit me tonight. 

And it might even be related to the home heating oil dealer on the other side of the tracks, making an argument for that.  A natural extension of their old coal heating business.   

Open to thoughts or suggestions?  Like a supplier for a portable conveyor?  Like don't do it? 
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[mu26aeh]

I think you're on the right path for the time period.  I'd have no problem with the setup you're proposing.  I'm not certain you'd be able to get 2 hoppers in that siding though and be able to unload them into the under track pit without possibly flowing the main.  As for a conveyor, Model Tech Studios makes one that would fit the time period.  (Website says HO but when you arrive, you will see it says N scale)

http://modeltechstudios.com/hoscalesmallconveyorunitbuiltupandfinished-2.aspx

As for the oil dealer, Walthers has the Interstate Fuel & Oil dealer.  Not sure of the exact space you have available but measurements are included on the product link.  Plus it's currently on sale, ~ $6 off kit.

https://www.walthers.com/interstate-fuel-oil-kit-4b56f6

[pdx1955]

A coal/oil dealer combination would be perfect for the 1950's . However, propane would be around too in that period. Natural gas took off in the later 50's as coal and coal gas was phased out. I have pictures from the 1950's that show combinations a whole slew of fuels. The Portland (OR) Gas & Coke Co, for example,  sold coal, coke briquettes (both via a pit and conveyor) and also had a propane unloading spot with the characteristic horizontal tanks. This was framed nearby with the huge coal gas holders [the holders and the distribution system were used for natural gas from 1959 on when PGC became NW Natural Gas] and had across the street large lots filled with cords and cords of firewood for sale. Many houses still used wood as a primary heating source although coal/coke had the majority share, but there also was a good chunk of oil use and the ever-increasing use of coal/natural gas. For you I would expect less wood use and more coal use based on the area modeled ,but you could still show that option too.

Using a wood, brick or galvanized metal building instead would backdate the scene nicely. In short, I'd plan on having a mix of fuel sources available.

[narrowminded]

I think you're on the right path for the time period.  I'd have no problem with the setup you're proposing.  I'm not certain you'd be able to get 2 hoppers in that siding though and be able to unload them into the under track pit without possibly flowing the main.  As for a conveyor, Model Tech Studios makes one that would fit the time period.  (Website says HO but when you arrive, you will see it says N scale)

http://modeltechstudios.com/hoscalesmallconveyorunitbuiltupandfinished-2.aspx

As for the oil dealer, Walthers has the Interstate Fuel & Oil dealer.  Not sure of the exact space you have available but measurements are included on the product link.  Plus it's currently on sale, ~ $6 off kit.

https://www.walthers.com/interstate-fuel-oil-kit-4b56f6

Thanks!  That conveyor is exactly the kind of thing I had in mind.   And I really appreciate the feedback.   Have you seen any of their products?  Their catalog has a lot of neat detail ideas.

The fuel oil dealer looks to be a little big, at least in its entirety.   I could maybe use part of it and keep it small enough.  The space is pretty shallow so it might be a challenge to have the tanks and then have room for negotiating a truck for access.  I'll have to dig into this deeper.  A small mom and pop type operation should be able to be done, though.  This needs some pondering time.

[narrowminded]

A coal/oil dealer combination would be perfect for the 1950's . However, propane would be around too in that period. Natural gas took off in the later 50's as coal and coal gas was phased out. I have pictures from the 1950's that show combinations a whole slew of fuels. The Portland (OR) Gas & Coke Co, for example,  sold coal, coke briquettes (both via a pit and conveyor) and also had a propane unloading spot with the characteristic horizontal tanks. This was framed nearby with the huge coal gas holders [the holders and the distribution system were used for natural gas from 1959 on when PGC became NW Natural Gas] and had across the street large lots filled with cords and cords of firewood for sale. Many houses still used wood as a primary heating source although coal/coke had the majority share, but there also was a good chunk of oil use and the ever-increasing use of coal/natural gas. For you I would expect less wood use and more coal use based on the area modeled ,but you could still show that option too.

Using a wood, brick or galvanized metal building instead would backdate the scene nicely. In short, I'd plan on having a mix of fuel sources available.

Thanks for your input!  It's really appreciated.   I thought the idea was OK and I get what you mean about the building style.  For the coal operation I was leaning to something small, little more than a shed.  For the oil it should probably be an office looking structure, maybe some storage, but along the size of the existing building.  If anything, a little more shallow.  I'll kick this around and also do some searches for oil dealers and see what I can find.

Again, it's helpful to me to have this feedback.

[narrowminded]

I've also been looking at the town buildings a little, gauging the work needed.  On the left side of the street viewing up from the crossing, the platform is intentionally not level.  It's about 1 1/4 degrees rising and then about the same falling up to the second crossing.  That means about 1/8" rise from start to end in the first block.  I'm going to have to make a decision on how to deal with that and part of that decision is picking the actual buildings that will be used.  Do I make an angled base for each building or maybe level the base that's there and just make a small foundation for each building to bring it up to sidewalk level.  Leveling first seems to my inexperienced eye to be the way to go as it would leave flexibility on building sizes because the foundations would only be spacers, not angled leveling devices.  I think that would be the easiest going in and the most flexible should a future change occur on this layout or if a building was reused on something else.    Any opinions?

That's getting some pondering, too.

[narrowminded]

This board came with an engine house nicely modelled per the prototype but I am having a hard time warming up to its style so am weighing a change.  What is striking my fancy is the Walthers Car Shop or the Back Shop kits.  Both have the same footprint, afford three tracks, and are about that of the existing building but without the extension.  This would require adjusting some of the track C/L's and the base area and might even afford a fourth track running down the side of the building without using much if any more board space than the existing.  BUT, they are much higher.  

I like the openness of the full windows and especially for actually using it to park an engine.  With the existing shop it's hard to see the engines and easy to drive too far.   I am leaning to the Car Shop https://www.walthers.com/car-shop-kit-7-x-5-1-4-x-4-3-4-quot-empty  kit especially because I like the saw tooth windowed roof.  I think this will give the best view inside and make it the most functional in operation. 

And now is where I might find advise helpful, including forget the whole thing.   One concern I have is the height and distinct possibility of overpowering that corner.  I mocked up a foam shell with the dimensions they supplied and that is the origin of the concern.  The problem is that it's higher than anything else and by a decent amount.  As the mock up piece is, it's also a big white foam shell which I think adds to the appearance of bulk but not sure how much is that and how much is simply the size.  I wouldn't mind detailing an interior of a shop with an overhead crane, pits between the rails, and assorted shop equipment just for fun but... 

So finally, after deliberating this and realizing I was going nowhere with my imagination I went ahead and ordered the kit so I can mock up the real thing and see if that changes my concerned perception and with an option in mind if the concern proves true.  I think I could cut it down to one pretty tall story using the window frames as the cut line.  I'm pretty comfortable that that would fix the issue IF it even exists.  I would basically lose the option of an overhead crane as there's limited height for lifting over things and if I did, that would be OK.  Or maybe it should be there anyway just for heavy lifting.  The between rail pits could properly remain, I think. 

Does this seem reasonable for this scene?  I'm hoping to draw on the knowledge and modelling experience that is so plentiful here.

Here's a pic of the existing building.

[Chris333]

Wouldn't something like this fit in better?
http://www.wva-usa.com/newsite/www.wvrailroads.com/drawings/thurmond-enginehouse/

[narrowminded]

Wouldn't something like this fit in better?
http://www.wva-usa.com/newsite/www.wvrailroads.com/drawings/thurmond-enginehouse/

Oh, I DO like that!   It would have to be much shorter but the style's got a lot going for it and the era and locale, too.  I'm going to study those drawings a little and will consider it.  I was liking the simplicity of the kit (time) and realizing I was stuck a little for space but... oh, man that's sexy.

[Chris333]

Maybe this could be bashed a little:
http://siotani.blog.so-net.ne.jp/_images/blog/_389/siotani/DSC08211-2.JPG

https://www.google.com/search?q=Kato+23-225+-+Wood+2-Stall+Engine+House&num=30&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiglajNvcrYAhVCq1MKHZzQD_IQ_AUICigB&biw=1280&bih=633

https://img15.hostingpics.net/pics/156253232253.jpg