It's hard to describe the feeling you get when you walk around a train show and find a craftsman kit at a very cheap price. Well, I found this gem hidden under a stack of boxes with the prices listed as $18. I (we) offered $15 for it and it was accepted.
Getting the kit open I opened it and sort all the parts that came with the kit. There is a lot more than $15 worth of supplies. I sorted all the wood into bundles according to their sizes. This was difficult because there were no two pieces that were the same size. There is a note in the instructions said it was done on purpose to give the structure a rough texture. Well it was with good intentions but made the construction very challenging.
This is a 1970's and is being produced by http://www.jv-models.com/ho_scale_models.htm (http://www.jv-models.com/ho_scale_models.htm) and is listed @ $55.00.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/30-290115161031-64181522.jpeg) (http://modelersforum.com/gallery/30-290115161031-64181522.jpeg)
In all my years of kit building I have never seen so poorly written instructions and scale diagrams. Critical views and details of what goes where just don't exist. So, lacking direction I imagined what it was supposed to look like and took "literal license" for most of the structure. I think it would have been better and easier for me to scratch build this mine from pictures from the internet.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/30-290115161031-6419200.jpeg) (http://modelersforum.com/gallery/30-290115161031-6419200.jpeg)
However, I was determined to take the challenge on and try to built it according to the instructions. Sorry to say this build took 2 months to build and should have only taken 2-3 weeks at the most.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/30-290115161031-6420154.jpeg) (http://modelersforum.com/gallery/30-290115161031-6420154.jpeg)
Talk about confusing; well the instructions are concise, they real don't help the kit builder. The designer could have just said "...just build it...".
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/30-290115161031-6421363.jpeg) (http://modelersforum.com/gallery/30-290115161031-6421363.jpeg)
And it goes on...
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/30-290115161031-64221615.jpeg) (http://modelersforum.com/gallery/30-290115161031-64221615.jpeg)
Rather then bore you with the some 100+ steps I took to build this structure I will post some photos of the completed build. Is you would like to see the 100+ steps you can click the link below.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/30-290115161734.jpeg) (http://modelersforum.com/gallery/30-290115161734.jpeg)
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1725829300975529.1073741883.1406375389587590&type=3 (https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1725829300975529.1073741883.1406375389587590&type=3)
Enjoy.
Marty
Good job.
I tried to build the O Scale version of this kit for the local club here in town. I got as far as making full size templates since the instructions in the kit were for the N Scale version. Needless to say I never built it. The instructions were not helpful so I gave up.
Thanks for sharing it.
Jaime
Marty,
Even though the kit instructions were not the best and the lumber sizes varied, it really came out well.
The rough looking lumber and great weathering makes this a terrific looking, very well used and abused work site. Perfect for the environment where these facilities existed.
I have a number of mine kits already and a Deer Creek Mine coming in any minute, so I enjoyed your thread and will look up the link you included.
8) 8) 8)
Marty,
It all looks good to me. Nice job.
Tom ;D
Looks Awesome Martin....nice weathering. I think I see a Sierra West Kit in the back. Is this Mine going near those buildings...its got the same look and feel...that old weathered back woods look to it.
Alan
Jamie, I can titally understand your frustration. Many a time during the build I had to step back and cool off. It's one of the reasons the build took so long.
Gregory, I had decided to build this one to look exactly what you commented on. I glad you saw the same. I wanted the new SWSM mine kit, but the exchange rate puts it out of reach thus year.
Tom, thanks fior the comment.
Alan, yes, it was intended to be part of the logging camp town. This and the Red Mountain Mine were going to be old deserted/ abandoned as was the forest industry. The area was trurned into a vacation/ wilderness area with tourist trains.
Marty