Sugar Cane train in 1920 Haiti

zathros

*****SENIOR ADMINISTRATOR*****
Staff member
Administrator
Moderator
That was extremely relaxing, interesting, and a joy to watch. Thanks for posting this. :)
 

Doctor G

Well-Known Member
Today, I started some more modeling on my On30 mini layout of the 1920 Haitian Sugar Train.

I have been working on the rural Leogoane section. After the completion of the Rhum distillery I thought I should focus on a little more salvation than damnation.

My good friend Father Andre Augustin is the Pastor of a Parish with outlying Chapels in the area of Ranquitte Haiti. Here are some photos of the St Paul's Chapel in the Haitian hinterland.

It is a nice simple structure and I have been setting in the footprint of the model I will make of this Chapel with the selective compression I have used on all the structures of this small layout.

Thanks for looking. Doc Tom

Father%20Andres%20Chapel%201_zpsriyi1hgf.jpeg


Father%20Andres%20Chapel%202_zpshe2zrt85.jpeg


IMG_0871_zpsuy9zbbus.jpg


IMG_0870_zpsnsmva4md.jpg
 

Doctor G

Well-Known Member
I was able to complete the steps of St Paul's Chapel.

I used "Joint Compound" to cover the carved foam to look a little more like crudely poured concrete.

IMG_0913_zpsino2ohhn.jpg


IMG_0915_zpsxynldbvr.jpg


IMG_0914_zpsmnu77jih.jpg


Next up will be to paint the foam stairs a light brown color as in the prototype photos above.

Thanks for looking. Doc Tom
 

Doctor G

Well-Known Member
Taking cues from the prototype pictures earlier I proceeded to build up the interesting side steps to the St Paul's Chapel.

IMG_0952_zpsadhvv7xj.jpg


Then I proceeded to paint a light brown/yellow similar to the painted concrete in the photos.

IMG_0951_zpsjzjvdlxh.jpg


IMG_0950_zpsbl5yzi05.jpg


This foundation will be planted in to the existing scenery next and then the Chapel itself will be constructed.

I found some Arttista figures of Catholic Priests and should be fun to juxtapose these good folks with the guys working in the Rhum Distillery next door.

Doc Tom
 

Doctor G

Well-Known Member
I have been able to do a little more work on the mini layout. The concrete foundation and stairs to St Paul's Chapel have been "planted" in the scenery.


IMG_0975_zpsmuec2rjs.jpg


IMG_0974_zpscrgv6okf.jpg


IMG_0976_zpsupujkgbn.jpg


The styrene structure is started and test fitted. Really compressing the structure to fit in the tight space.

IMG_0982_zpsecmzvf6t.jpg


I had to trim some of the jungle back to get the building nestled in place.

IMG_0983_zpsn9qv17ip.jpg


Tight clearances mean that when the sugar train rumbles by it is going to wake up anyone dozing at the sermon after a hard work week.

IMG_0984_zpscw8n03zs.jpg


Thanks for looking. Doc Tom
 

Doctor G

Well-Known Member
More styrene added to St Paul's Chapel. It is starting to get that mass effect common with O scale structures yet it is still fitted in a tiny space.

IMG_0987_zps9ux2amrm.jpg


IMG_0985_zpsp1dheyx2.jpg


Hopefully the funky diagonal rear wall will disappear as roofs are placed and the scenery is blended in to the roof line of the model.

IMG_0986_zpso4irgn8i.jpg


Thanks for looking. Doc Tom
 

Doctor G

Well-Known Member
I have been doing a little more work on the mini this nice long Thanksgiving weekend.

The St Paul's Chapel project continues to slowly evolve. I did use photos from the Internet to make the ornamental concrete windows for ventilation.

IMG_1012_zpsxpwnxydz.jpg


I think it does look pretty close to the prototype.

Father%20Andres%20Chapel%201_zpsriyi1hgf.jpeg


I realized that the trim pieces,doors and windows on the prototype were either poorly painted or not at all.

Father%20Andres%20Chapel%202_zpshe2zrt85.jpeg


I am trying to replicate this look on the model.

IMG_1013_zpshrtfyefy.jpg


Eventual weathering and dry brushing will also enhance this detail.

A rural parish in Haiti is lucky to collect $50 US a month from its Sunday collections. That is why the main church buildings and outlying chapels always appear unfinished or in need of repair.

Doc Tom
 

Doctor G

Well-Known Member
Dock%20Scene%202_zpsdnt8lerp.jpg





icon_mi_1.gif
Posted - 12/05/2015 : 8:55:31 PM
icon_email.gif
icon_delete_reply.gif

I was able to put a roof on St Paul's Chapel. I decided to age it fairly intensely to impart the primitive look in a very poor part of a poor country.

IMG_1034_2_zpsw8xuu2nm.jpg


The colorful roof was also intended to draw the eye forward and away from the back where the structure blends in to the scenery.

IMG_1037_2_zpsyu3wrr7m.jpg


After looking at these pictures I wondered if the roof was too rusty and decrepit??

IMG_1036_2_zpsr9fh7cpp.jpg


IMG_1035_2_zpsr8ftgdy7.jpg


Let me know what you all think.
bigeyes_125.gif
. I can always repaint in a light gray like the prototype pictures earlier.

Thanks. Doc Tom
 

Doctor G

Well-Known Member
OK so ROOFING plan A just did not work or look right so it was time for plan B.

Here is St Paul's Chapel with the correctly scaled corrugated metal.

IMG_1043_zpsfkvfzrw2.jpg


IMG_1044_zpslkttp7b0.jpg


IMG_1041_zpsthf17n7j.jpg


Looks like they are just starting to cut cane. Sugar cane once cut deteriorates rapidly and that is why rail roads are needed to this day to get the cane to the mill quickly.



Doc Tom
 

Doctor G

Well-Known Member
With the placement of the cross on the roof line,the very rural St Paul's Chapel is finished.

IMG_1053_zpsu7nkdesl.jpg


IMG_1052_zps1j2lidgc.jpg


Next up will be planting more sugar cane plants. The whole reason for being for this little Rail Road.

IMG_1051_zpsnxciioum.jpg


Doc Tom
 

Doctor G

Well-Known Member
Getting very heavy barrels of rum to the wharf at Port au Prince required a heavy duty flat car. The stock On30 B.mann flat was cut down to 15 feet in length and 5.5 width to negotiate the streets of the city and the tight curves out in the countryside.

IMG_1065_zpspltiofbj.jpg


The rum will be offloaded on to a ship for transport north to thirsty American and English customers.
jump2_125.gif
jump2_125.gif
jump2_125.gif


IMG_1066_zpspzifut9y.jpg


IMG_1064_zpsbkx01gvn.jpg


Maybe it will add a kick to a favorite Christmas beverage.

IMG_1067_zpspuomkjv1.jpg


Merry Christmas. Doc Tom
xmas_125.gif
xmas_125.gif
xmas_125.gif
xmas_125.gif
 

Doctor G

Well-Known Member
  • Here the cane train is moving a load of the sweet stuff to the mill.

    IMG_1072_zpsmsjpel62.jpg




    The brightly colored engine and headlight help keep the guys working in the cane fields aware of an approaching locomotive and train.



    IMG_1075_zpsftvuljvr.jpg


    Thanks for looking. Doc Tom

  • Edit
 

Doctor G

Well-Known Member
After an electrical misadventure that had 220 volts going to my train shed (a very embarrassing story for another time) my electrical control of the mini layout was fried.

I took the plunge and got a Digitrax Zephyr to power the layout in DCC. My very first non- DC layout. It has worked very well. I just got this decoder equipped Porter off Amazon.com as a Christmas gift. I am amazed at how smooth these new offerings run.

IMG_1083_zps52bbmkvc.jpg


I am looking forward to getting some DCC sound going. I am looking at the Digitrax "Sound Bug" to put in a trailing tender to bring a few steam engine sounds to the layout.

Doc Tom
 
Top