Jac's Lines Scratchbuilding Challenge

[Jac's Lines]

Thanks everyone. I've been doing work on this and am almost done. I'll post some pictures later in the week.

I had a question, though. In browsing the web, I found this kit from Branchline Trains' Laser-Art line (Branchline Trains)

Basically, it appears to be identical to the scratchbuild that I am doing for the challenge, but with the layout mirrored. The RPI Model Railroad site claims that this kit is based on a prototype that was in Model Railroader, but it didn't have a reference and I haven't been able to find a concrete reference to an article. I am actually a little disappointed since it took a long time to figure everything out with this building if there is a plan available somewhere. The bigger issue, though, is that Laser-Art claims that this was a coal distributor, not a grain complex. I did some research at the local library today, and maps from the 1890s-1920s indicate that there was a facility called NB Keeney and Sons on this site. They were a dried bean and seed distributor, not a coal distributor.

So, in a roundabout way, I have two questions:

1. Does this structure ring a bell with anyone who has either built the Laser-Art kit or seen the MR article? If so, does the article and/or instructions indicate what this was used for?

2. Does anyone know if this looks structure looks right for a coal distributor? All of the distributors I have seen show larger, taller and more silos at coal distributors, and I can't for the life of me figure out what all the additional warehouse space would've been used for.

This is driving me nuts, especially since I can't figure out what signs to put up -- is it a coal distributor or a dried bean facility??? I'm inclined to follow what the library research shows, but I'd like to know for sure.

Thanks in advance if anyone knows anything, and I'll try to get some more pics up this weekend.

-Joe

[steamhead]

Nice job..!! By sheer coincidence, I'm building a coal distributor and it's got two silos just like that..!! It's an old Sudyam kit I got off eBay. I started to put the "cables" around the silos but they looked too much like...string...Also a pain in the...to wrap around and keep straight and evenly spaced. I had figured on maybe putting straps instead of cable. Would this be "protypical"..?? Also, what did you use to make the straps..??

Here's a link to my build:
http://forum.zealot.com/t119324/

[ocalicreek]

Stick a name on there you like, like "Emerson Bros." and let the viewer decide (or wonder) what's in there! For more operational fun, let it be a coal distributor one session and a grain/feed distributor the next!

[Jac's Lines]

Well, this is more or less done. There are still a lot of details that I'd like to do, including fastener details on the silos, some staircases to the doors at the front of the structure, and gutters/downspouts. Otherwise, I think this is as done as it's going to get before the 30th.

I took pictures of the final version outside, which I kind of like. If I get around to doing some updates or better pictures, I'll post more pictures to this thread sometime.

[Jac's Lines]

And here's the comparison of the prototype with an indoor shot of the model. Pretty darn close, I think...

-Joe

[steamhead]

Whooaa...!!! Close..?? I'd say nearly identical..!! Great Job..!! You're a sure winner with this baby...Congratulations on a job excellently well done..!!

[jesso]

Great work! You did an incredible job on it.

[doctorwayne]

Very nice work and a really good-looking model. I like the way you've painted and weathered it, too.
As for the prototype, it looks like it may have been a grain elevator originally, then later converted to a coal dealer with the addition of the silos. Although, the silos could just be for additional grain storage. I think that you can letter this one to best suit your own purposes and plans for where you're going to use it.
I built the structure below from a photograph of a prototype that was originally a coal dealer, but had been converted to a grain storage facility. The original housing for the trackside coal elevator was moved to the "road" side of the structure, and a covered dumpshed added for grain trucks and wagons. The old dump pit was covered over with wood and metal siding. It's in this spot temporarily, as its hometown has yet to be built. The model is styrene.

Wayne

[TruckLover]

WOW!!!!!!!

Joe, that looks AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!

BEAUTIFUL job man

[ocalicreek]

Nice contrast of colors and textures as well, from the gray shingles to the brown silos and red siding, it's all well done. I especially like the weathering on the metal roof. Will you weather further around the base of the structure once it's worked into the layout? I see its on a foam base now...is that temporary, or will it be incorporated into the site?

[roch]

Great job Joe!

Roch

[ammoguy5]

Hey!! I just took Amtrack from Boston to Toledo for Thanksgiving. I think We rode right past this structure!!! I tried to take a photo of it but I'll have to go thru my few hundred photo's of My trip too see...
Great structure and Your model is superb!!!

[Bill Nelson]

I was just revisiting this thread and had an idea. You had asked ," it it is a coal distributor, what is the warehouse space for? In Downtown Clarksville Tn we used to have an old style amonia based Ice plant, that was one of the last of it's kind . I went in there once to by a huge amount of ice for a keg party, and the old signs out back said Coal and Ice co. The warehouse side of this building is a little larger than that ice plant was.


Bill Nelson