Disused Coaling Station - photo intense

[jeffrey-wimberl]

One of my current projects is a long abandoned coaling station. I model diesel (mostly 70's to modern) and I wanted this structure to look like it hasn't been used since the 50's.

I started with this Bachmann coaling station I picked up at the LHS.

I then stripped the roof off it and weathered it appropriately.

Next I rubbed aluminum foil into the contours of the original roof and spray painted it a rust color.

The next step was to cut and place rafters where the original roof had been.

I weathered the rafters with a wash of gray paint and alcohol.

The next step was to cut the roofing into scale 4x10 foot pieces.

I then used white glue and a pair of tweezers to place the sheets where I wanted them. I used the tweezers to tease the bends into them. First one side:

Then the other side:

 

[Jim Krause]

Hi Jeff: I like your "bashing" efforts much better than the shiny plastic of the, as delivered, model. That must have been some wind storm that peeled the roof back. Now we need a on site picture with weeds, brush and pigeon droppings.

 

[jeffrey-wimberl]

Today I straightened the panels a bit so the roof doesn't look quite so tattered.

 

[Ralph]

That's a classic structure. It's fun to see a different take on it.
Ralph

 

[jeffrey-wimberl]

I had a lot of fun doing it. Now it's one of a kind.

 

[e-paw]

On a derelict structure from the 70's on some :cry:graffiti:cry: could be in order. Some missing boards:sad: or fire damage are also possible. Almost anything goes. great idea.:thumb:

 

[green_elite_cab]

yeah, bring on the rot!

 

[ZeldaTheSwordsman]

Indeed.

 

[jeffrey-wimberl]

Thanks for the suggestions. You may have noticed there's no coal chute, no loading equipment, no steps or walkways anywhere to be seen. Even the window moutons (inner frames that hold the panes in place) have been removed. This is all to give it that look that it hasn't been used for a very long time. Somebody had to have a really throwing arm to hit that window way up there. Even graffiti artists need a way to get to their target and with no steps anywhere that's a mighty tall order.

 

[ZeldaTheSwordsman]

Of course, on my layout the coaling stage(when I build one, I have to scratchbuild it because I need a British one) will be anything but defunct. Guess why.

 

[ocalicreek]

Nice work, Jeffrey! I may have to pull out mine and work on it a bit more. I got mine in a lot from ebay along with other plasticville structures. It will become a tipple for a mine up in the hills...someday.



In this shot it's just been distressed and hacked up, er, modified. The back legs are shortened and the top sections have been removed. Hopefully after painting the wood grain and distressing will show nicely.

Great idea using the original panels as a template for foil. You may have given me the solution to a challenge I had with my tipple. My approach originally was to thin the bottom edge of the roof (a la Art Curren) and that looks okay, but adding a layer of foil panels above would carry the illusion further and add to the realism. Nice. Thanks again.

 

[jeffrey-wimberl]

Here's what mine looks like after the roof work was completed.

 

[doctorwayne]

Jeffrey, nice example of "outside the box" (or perhaps "beyond the picture on the box") thinking to make a unique model. I especially like your idea of using the kit's roof to make your own roofing sheets. Nice work! :thumb::thumb:

Wayne

 

[jeffrey-wimberl]

Thanks Charlie. That's an excellent suggestion for the condemned signs. I;ll have to get about making some.

 

[CaNadiaN]

What was your technique for the roof? (Did you soak the panels in something, or...?)

 

[jeffrey-wimberl]

The roof panels are just pieces of aluminum foil cut to scale 4' x 10'. The entire sheet was painted a rust color before being cut up. They're held in place with white glue.