General Tire Akron - Original Plant Build

[Philip H]

Steve, just got my 2025 Model Railroad Planning and can't wait to read your article.

[SAH]

Steve, just got my 2025 Model Railroad Planning and can't wait to read your article.

I hope you enjoy it Phillip.  It looks like you will see the final copy before I do.   

[basementcalling]

I hope you enjoy it Phillip.  It looks like you will see the final copy before I do.   

Struck out checking for the issue today at my local bookstores. They carry Kalmbach mags, but the new issue hasn't hit the magazine rack yet.

[SAH]

I finished the carbon black unloading system today, and with that I'll call the original plant build 99% complete.  (Where's the confetti emoji?)


Here is the view one sees as you turn the corner to switch Spur 4.  Tidying up the original build model should not take nearly as long.  I like it.

[mu26aeh]

Nominating this for a best of thread

[Dwight in Toronto]

Huge thumbs up on completing the creation of an impressive industrial complex.  The mass of the structure is SO convincingly conveyed, and I applaud all the scratch built detail throughout.  Great craftsmanship, and a proud accomplishment.

What’s next!

[SAH]

What’s next!

Thank Dwight.  I think I'll go to Disneyland.

[SAH]

Epilogue
So I'm not quite done.  The long put off detailing of the 1941 plant addition that was my original General Tire project build is finally done (almost).


The additions, clockwise from the big sign:
TV Antenna, Misc roof air vents and intakes, floodlights, the roof top structure which was not part of the original 1941 addition but appeared shortly afterwards, loading dock and cover, stone details over the main entry, and the employee entrance.

There's more to the dock cover than meets the eye.  I broke one of my primary time saving rules: Don't detail out things you cannot see.  But I wanted to learn what the cutter could help with for some upcoming projects.  I made no attempt to make the roof supports structurally correct since they'll never be seen again.  I learned a few things and came away with some ideas for simplifying and improving cutter made parts for pipe rack structures - the impetus for proceeding as I did.


I still need a flag pole and a representation of Old Glory that does not imply a full gale warning is in effect.  The little troughs on both sides of the main entrance need shrubberies.  Weathering of course.  And . . . . A really cool little guard house was built as part of the 1941 addition.  I've picked out windows and doors and have a build plan in mind but need to order some styrene shapes.  I think it will be my warm up gig for the @LKOrailroad 's New Era Cafe build.   

[SAH]

Some quick snaps to finish off this thread.
I used the cutter to do a score-n-snap on .02" thick styrene for the guard house shell.


The windows and doors are from Railhead Details.  If you're old enough to remember Railhead, squirt an extra shot of honey in your oatmeal tomorrow morning.


The cutter provided nice and square brick stock.  The details are scratched except for the Tichy lamp shades.


And with that I am done.  Eventually the "scenery" (lots of concrete) will be added.  I'm kind of looking forward to that but time for a break.

One more overview.  Thanks to those who followed along.

[Chris333]

Did you curve those corners yourself?   

[SAH]

Did you curve those corners yourself?   

.125" quarter round.  Form the printed brick around a file handle.  Glue in place with canopy cement.  Easier than it looks.