Clinton Cereal Co.

[MVW]

Clinton Cereal Co. (named after my youngest, who would eat cereal five times a day if he could get away with it -- and he often does) is based on the former Kellogg's Oats plant in Davenport, Iowa. It is the second-largest shipper on my Missouri Valley Western, a fictional bridge route between the UP and Chicago & North Western set in southwest Iowa in 1954-55. Here are some images from the early 20th century.







And a more modern look at the site, which was owned by Ralston Purina when this shot was taken. (Not sure pf its present disposition.)



My model will be flipped horizontally, like-a dis.



I mocked it up a year or so ago, when I started rudimentary ops on my layout.



The silos on the left are from a Medusa Cement kit (same moulds were used in one or two other Walther's kits) and the elevator in the center is from a Valley Grower's kit (also Walther's). Planning to use DPM modulars for the two largest buildings. I'm taking some slight liberties in order to provide five different loading zones (one for each elevator, two for raw material inputs on the track farthest from the main, and outgoing shipments from the warehouse in the right foreground). So the idea is not to model this complex faithfully, but to capture its general flavor.

And now the great big caveat: My total model-building experience consists of assembling one Walther's kit, freelancing one small structure using DPM modulars, and scratchbuilding a few small buildings (only one or two of which didn't completely suck). But ya gots to start somewhere, right? I'll certainly know more when I finish than when I started.

And speaking of finishing, I doubt this project will be anywhere near "finished" by the deadline. But I'm going to take advantage of the challenge to move this along as far as possible given my constraints of time, talent and Talons (there's a Star Trek reference for ya).

Jim

[sirenwerks]

Planning to use DPM modulars for the two largest buildings.

Jim,


I'd recommend you look at using the Atlas Middlesex Manufacturing building instead, it captures the scale of the windows better, even though it compresses their repetition somewhat.

[MVW]

Thanks, sirenwerks. I've long considered that as a possibility, ever since that kit came out. That third pic just kind of screams Middlesex Mfg., doesn't it? Right down to the foundation-level windows. I don't have enough DPM packs on hand anyway, so I'm going to have to invest in something.

Jim

[MVW]

Now leaning toward picking up two Middlesex Mfg. kits for the big building (I'll call it the production building), and using Monster Modelworks brick sheets for the smaller of the two largest buildings (henceforth known as the warehouse). The excess windows from the Middlesex kits could be repurposed for the warehouse. I can have Monster Modelworks custom cut the sheets to accept said windows.

The DPM modulars I have on hand can be used for the smaller buildings.

Thoughts?

Jim

[sirenwerks]

FWIW, this eBay seller (not me) has two, selling at a decent price - https://www.ebay.com/itm/Atlas-N-Middlesex-Manufacturing-Co-ATL2870/332383151838?_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20160908110712%26meid%3D4e8f5399512a4dbe952521f428d82bef%26pid%3D100677%26rk%3D5%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D262576598783&_trksid=p2385738.c100677.m4598  Shipping would be from MD. Better, at least, than the one seller selling for $22 + $18 shipping.

[MVW]

Thanks again! I've queried the seller, and may be ordering soon. (Also checking to see if kits are available at my LHS, and their price. With shipping being what it is, I may just make the hour's drive to support them.)

Jim

[MVW]

Can anyone tell me the height of Middlesex Mfg.? Everything I see online only gives the length and width. I know it's a four-story structure, but it would be helpful to know the height for planning the adjacent buildings.

Jim

[DKS]

3-9/16"

[MVW]

Thank you! Looks like the DPM modulars may work for the two smaller buildings next to the production building (see second photo from top). Will likely make them a four-story and three-story, instead of the five-story and three-story shown.

Jim

[sirenwerks]

It looks like a couple DPM Goodnight Mattress kits might get you the right window layout and proportions for the brick structure next to the larger concrete elevator.

[MVW]

Good call again, sirenwerks. I had not considered that at all. Had been thinking about scratchbuilding that structure, but this may be a better option.

My timeline calls for building that structure in early February. I'll think on it a bit, but I could easily see this one going Goodnight.

Thanks for the heads-up!

Jim

[MVW]

Working on Elevator 2's headhouse, I become the first to shed blood in the 2018 Railwire Challenge. 



Jim

[MVW]

Taping together some of the pieces for Elevator 2's headhouse.



Was feeling pretty good about a bit of progress when I realized I had positioned the window based on the original photo, NOT the flipped photo.    Really.

But, after several moments of profound chagrin (and a quick edit to this post), I realized I can simply flip the piece around. That's a double facepalm.

Ye gads.

A few other things of note:

1) If I use Middlesex Mfg. for the largest building, it will be about 2" shorter than the mockup at back right (or about a 1/2" shorter than the mockup for the warehouse in front of it). That's not a bad thing, except for the fact that I'm using taller structures as intermittent scenic dividers to separate the two sides of a peninsula. The lower height definitely opens things up, but I don't think to the detriment of the layout.

2) This will also accentuate the silos and headhouse, and probably bring the warehouse and production building closer into a more accurate proportion.

3) The elevator in the foreground was purchased when I first started on this layout (in another location), and was going to be used with one side against a wall. So, one side of the kit became a donor for other projects. But, this elevator should also be lowered to bring it into a more accurate proportion, so this shouldn't likely be too big of a problem.

Jim

[MVW]

Lowered the ride height ( ) of Elevator 1. The side I had previously cannibalized was one section short, but should be easily patchable (I hope).



Also moved the shorter of the two large buildings into position where the Middlesex Mfg. kits will go. Will need to add a mockup for the warehouse later.

Probably won't get much more done for a few days. Getting ready to host my first guest operators this weekend.

Jim

[MVW]

Back at it for short bit tonight. Continuing mockup of Elevator 2 headhouse, and starting to glue up Elevator 1.



Work on the headhouse will have to wait until I stock up on some smaller Tichy windows. In the meantime, I'd like to finish Elevator 1 and get some paint and rust on it. But all I have on hand that might be appropriate is a can of Model Master "Aluminum Plate (Buffing Metalizer)," and I'm not even sure what the hell that is. It's gonna be too cold to spray bomb anything in the garage for the next few days, but I might experiment later this week.

The kit instructions recommend a flat silver for the structure. Any advice from the peanut gallery?  (Remember, no airbrush here.)

I'm thinking of eliminating one of the four buildings in the second row (the one of with the cardboard "silos" behind it in the previous picture). This seems to provide a better look, and it's the least distinctive structure. (I wouldn't use artwork on the silos -- a la one of the historical pics -- because I want these to be anonymous structures when viewed from that side of the peninsula.)

Thoughts?

Jim