The Modeler's Forum

Hey Guys:

Here's the next kit on my list.

Karl

Hey Guys:

Here's A photo of the parts for the main building.

Karl

This is the one FSM kit I've built, and I really enjoyed it.  You'll need at least 4' to build the ramp from grade to the end of the coal dock, which is why you don't see this one very often on actual layouts.

A couple thoughts:  The original design was an Irv Schulz model of an ore transfer dock, rather than a locomotive coaling dock. So that's why there are both the main chutes, and that side coal jib crane.  Now on my model, I repurposed that jib crane for sanding the locos, but I never really figured out the entire sand process (from the delivery of wet sand, through drying, and then loading into the loco.)  My concept was that a sand car would be positioned above the closed-in section of the trestle to unload sand into a hopper inside.  There'd be a stove in there for drying the sand.  Then workers would go inside to shovel sand into a bucket, then use the jib crane to raise the bucket to the sand dome.  This required adding a door in that closed-off section of trestle.  (It also requires "winking at" the huge fire risk with a stove inside the structure.  One spark and the entire coal dock would make a huge blaze!)  Also, I removed the section from the jib crane to the actual dock, to reduce some of the (level) length of the kit.  I made the roof removable (using pieces of brass rod, a trick from Dave Frary/Bob Hayden.)  The chute counter-weights are a bit fragile and hard to attach, and then to attach the weights on cable/chain to the dock was another challenge.  The hardest thing for me, surprisingly, was getting those wedge shaped concrete footings under the trestle bents.  They're heavy, so gluing them to the trestle legs doesn't work very well.  Gluing them to the base requires a precise or adjustable fit to make sure the bottom of the bents actually sit on the footings.  Finally, for finishing, I used "Weather-It" on all of the wood, and then added lots of "coal dust" weathering, plus sand underneath the jib crane. 

I'll dig out some photos and add them, if you're interested.  For now, this kit is boxed up after our move a couple years ago.  The hoppers face the wrong direction for my current engine terminal design, and I'm not sure if I'll dig this out and kitbash it, or build some new coaling structure.

dave

Another interesting kit Karl.....I'll be looking in.  :)

I'll be following.

I will always follow a "Karl Build"

Jim

I'm following, too, Karl.
--George

I'm looking forward to following your build Karl , I was kinda figuring you were about do.  :)

Hey Dave:

Thanks for all the great info on what you did with the kit. What color did you paint the coal doors on the front wall? Looks like Earth to me. Am I right.

Thanks Karl

Hi Greg, Curt, Jim, George & Lynn B:

Thanks for checking in and following along.

Karl.

Hi All:

Got the first side of the front wall don on the template. Now I have to turn it over and add the other required pieces.

Karl

Karl I have been interested in this kit for awhile. Can you tell me what the height oh the track is at the end of it?

Quote from: postalkarl on November 13, 2018, 10:16:32 AM
Hey Dave:

Thanks for all the great info on what you did with the kit. What color did you paint the coal doors on the front wall? Looks like Earth to me. Am I right.

Thanks Karl

I think that's right (I built this a long time ago :-) )  It might be "Foundation" - it looks a little lighter colored than "Earth."  Obviously, my goal was to get close to the A-West coloring of the stripwood.  I painted the bands an appropriate 'weathered metal' color, and the contrast helps the overall look of the doors.  Then I probably applied an A&I wash to the pieces sitting on the workbench, before I installed them on the model. 

dave

Nice build Dave.

Karl your off to a fine start.  As usual your coloring is right on.  I'll be watching as your work keeps me modeling!

Jerry

Hi Dave:

Thanks much appreciated. I have both colors. Earth & Foundation.

Karl

Hi Jerry:

Thanks glad to have you along for the ride.

Karl

Karl,

As usual, great start and I'm in for the ride as well.

Tom  ;D

Hi Tom:

Thanks much appreciated.

Karl

Hi Guys:

Front wall and side walls are assembled. 1/8 Sq. Track supports have also been added.

Karl

Karl,
Following along with you

Mike

Hi Mike:

Thanks appreciate it.

Karl.

Hi Guys:

Got some more work done on this one. Here's a photo.

Karl

Looks awesome Karl. Can you tell me the height of the platform the track sits on?

Karl you build faster than I can type!!  Great looking build so far.

Jerry

The woodwork portion of the kits has always been my favourite part, looking good Karl.

Hey Lynn:

Thanks glad to have you watching.

Karl,


As usual, it looks fantastic.  Really close match between the doors and the wood.   


I was wondering if you might build a little slower so I would have more time to comment? 

Hey Jerry:

Thanks for the compliment I just work on my models every day. So please keep watching.

Karl

Looks great Karl.  Keep those progress photos coming.

Hey Mark:

thanks appreciate the compliment.

Karl

Hi All:

Got the ball weights added to the coal chute doors. It was a bit of a time consuming job but its done. On to the next step which is the coal pocket ladders. Here's a pic.

Karl

I warned you about those weights :-)  One thing to consider:  Add some more weight (maybe a hemostat) temporarily on those to straighten out the thread, and then apply CA to the thread so it hangs down straight (as if there was significant weight on the string.)


dave

Nice work, Karl!  Glad to be back and see your fantastic work!  Thanks for sharing!
R/,
Norm

Looking good, will there be chutes as well? I built a Walthers Coal tower a few years back and could never figure out how to get the weights to sit right, that one is now a shelf orphan and I have a Campbells coal tower to build.

Hi Dave:

Thanks for your input as usual. Much appreciated.

Karl

Hi Norm:

Thanks for checking in. Appreciate the compliment.

Karl

Hi Lynn B:

There are four coal pockets as seen on the floor. They will get ladders which I haven't built yet. Campbell coal tower should be fun. thanks for the compliment. Much appreciated.

Karl

Hi All:

Bot the footing glued to the legs on the coal pocket structure. I used 5 minute epoxy. They seem pretty tight. It was A rather not so fun step. I have to build 4 coal pocket ladders then on the the trestle I believe.

Here's a pic.

Karl

It's looking really nice, Karl. The waterfront kit I just finished only had a handful of footings to install and they drove me nuts. You had, what, thirty footings?  That is incredible persistence!
--George

Karl,

Great job my friend, just wonderful.

Tom  ;D

Looks good, nice rust colors.
Karl with the amount of modelling you get done it had me wondering, are you retired?  ;D

Very nice Karl.

It's a bit of a comfort that you've had some difficulties and annoyances at the same places I did.  It shows I didn't miss some obvious alternative way to build something :-) :-)


Looks good!



dave

Hi George:

thanks for the compliment. Yeah the footing took a little patience but I got through it.

Karl

Hey Tom:

thanks appreciate it buddy.

karl

Hi Lynn B:

yes I'm retired. Thanks for the compliment.

Karl

Hey PRR Modeler:

thanks appreciate it my friend.

Karl

Hi Dave:

Nope you just have to follow the instruction and make the best of it. Thanks for the compliment.

Karl

Hi All:

Got some more work done. Finished the center trstle and the rear support. Hre's a couple of pics. Hop all looks well.

Karl

Beautiful job so far.

Looking great.

Hey Curt & John:

thanks guys appreciate it.

Karl

Hi Dave:

Since you also built this kit the directions say to make the base at least 20 Inches long. Did you do this and if so does the model fit well on it. Or did you make your base longer? Let me know OK.

Thanks Karl

If you want to build a ramp from ground level up to the start of the kit, you'll need about 48"!  Even then, the transition from level to the ramp up will be steep.  That was a significant derail point on my previous layout.  (I saved about 6" by removing that trestle between the dock itself and the boxed in section.)

I did a dirt ramp up to the start of the kit, if I remember right. 

dave

Karl can you tell me the length of what you have built? Are the bottom doors for loading trucks or other vehicles?

Looking good Karl, nice job!

Great looking job Karl.

Jim

Wow!  Just wow. 

Hi Dave:

Yeah I understand what you are saying. I guess what I'm interested in is how long of a base did y0u use to build the kit at the work bench. Is the recommended 20 inches in the instructions long enough. Thanks for any additional info you can provide.

Karl

Hi Curt:

so far it's about 12 inches long. In the instructions there is track beneath the doors. However George told me it should be a road for truck loading.

Karl

Hi Steve, Jim and Bruce:

Thanks much for the compliments. Much appreciated.

Karl

Hi Karl Great build. I checked the length and the distance from building to building ends is about 17", but with the treslte at the end , 20 to 21" works. Hope this helps.

Thanks for the info Karl. Now to do some measuring  :)

Karl a fine looking build.

Thanks for keeping all those pictures coming.

Jerry

Hi Roostr:

thanks for the info. mus=ch appreciated.

Karl

Hi Curt:

You are quite welcome.

Karl

Hi Jerry:

Thanks and will do on the pics.

Karl

Quote from: postalkarl on November 26, 2018, 07:36:50 AM
Hi Dave:

Yeah I understand what you are saying. I guess what I'm interested in is how long of a base did y0u use to build the kit at the work bench. Is the recommended 20 inches in the instructions long enough. Thanks for any additional info you can provide.

Karl

I used the whole length, which was a bit of a pain in the posterior!  But that's because I wanted to make the assembly fully removable.  I think I used a piece of 1/8" hardboard/masonite.


dave

Thus far the build is looking spectacular, really seems to be growing.
Retirement is doing you justice, enjoy. :)

That's coming out super nice!  I like how well aged you've got it looking.   :D

R/,
Norm

Hi Dave:

Thanks I increased my base to 22 inched and the whole model fit onto it.

Karl

Hi Lynn & Norm:

Thanks for the compliments. Much appreciated. Got A lot done today. Lots of NBW casting to add and casting details plus lay the rail. It's painted and drying.

Here's A Photo.

Karl

Beautiful structure, Karl. Looks like its seen lots of hard work. Nice finish on all of the wood.
George

Hi Guys:

The track is laid.

Karl

I looked at the crate with my coal dock, and decided it wouldn't be that hard to unpack, photograph and put it back away.  The roof is just temporarily set on top of the dock, it's not actually aligned with the pins to hold it in the proper position.  You can see how I eliminated that one trestle section.  My coloring is similar to Karl's, although I put more 'coal dust' on the front.  Underneath I expected to do pretty much coal dust on top of raw dirt, rather than foilage.  You can also see how long the dock including the ramp is, and how steep the ramp still is with that 24" run.  Oh, and my dock lead is from the left, while Karl's is from the right.

dave

Karl, That is a really top notch job. Based on how yours looks I think I see one in my future.  ;D

Hi Dave:

Thanks for the pics of your model. I see what you mean about A long ramp. My friend can add that when he installs it into his very large layout.

Thanks again Karl

Hi All:

Got some more work done on this guy. Track is laid, ladders are built and installed, and all the NBW castings have been added over 300 of them. On to painting and installing the cast metal details. Here's a few pics.

Karl

I'm glad you didn't mind my posting my model to your thread, but I thought it helped everyone understand how this would work on a layout.  It's interesting how close our models are in coloring.  (I used "Weather-It" by the way.  I'm not sure if that stuff is still available.  HunterLine Driftwood stain is pretty close to that color.)


dave

HJi Dave:

Nope didn't mind you posting your model at all. All my wood is stained with 2 teaspoons of black India ink in a bottle of rubbing alcooal.

Karl

Looks great Karl.  Very nice weathering.  Dave, you're right, that kit is huge!

Karl, sorry to bother you again but what is the height of the track from the bottom. I have a 40 inch run up to a coal trestle now (nothing near this nice). I would probably not use the part to the right before the open trestle.

Hey mark:

Thanks for the compliment. Much appreciated.

Karl

Hi Curt:

From the base to the top of the rail is 3 1/16ths inches.

Karl

That is really turning out beautifully!! Love the color its perfect for that type structure.

Jerry

Quote from: postalkarl on November 28, 2018, 02:34:20 PM
Hi All:

Got some more work done on this guy. Track is laid, ladders are built and installed, and all the NBW castings have been added over 300 of them. On to painting and installing the cast metal details. Here's a few pics.

Karl

Karl,

Wow, that is a great looking coal dock. The weathering looks like it is old but not ready to be abandoned.

Tom  ;D

Thanks Karl.

Hi Jerry:

thanks for the compliment. Much appreciated.

Karl

Hi Tom:

Glad you like it. Thanks much.

Karl

Hi Curt you are quite welcome.

Karl

Hi All:

Got some more work done. Roof supports and sub roof has been added.

Karl

Looking good Karl. Lots of stripwood on this one.

Quote from: SteveCuster on December 05, 2018, 11:25:35 AM
Looking good Karl.

Karl,

Yes, it sure does.

Tom  ;D

Hi Steve and Tom:

Thanks for the compliments. much appreciated. I installed the roof and the crane today. Roof comes with very early FSM shingle. I don't like them so I used rolled roofing instead. Its paint with Rust-Oleum green primer, A&I & dry-brushed with country gray.

Here's a photo.

Karl

Opps here's the photo.

karl

The roof and trestle coloring look great.  I think the dock itself could use some 'coal dust'.


dave

Looking good Karl

Doug

Really nice job Karl.

Hi Dave, Doug & Curt:

Thanks for the compliments. Much appreciated as always.

Karl

Hi All:

This one is finished. Thanks for following along. As can be seen there is a road in front of the coal dock instead of the track in the instructions. This was suggested to me by George himself as he said that's what it should actually be.

Karl

Beautiful job on that one, Karl.  The aged wood effect is fantastic.
George

Hi Opa George:

Thanks for the compliment. Much appreciated. Glad you like the coloring. It is merely A&I wash. 2 Teaspoons to 1 Pt Alcohol.

Karl

Another one in the books.  And a fine job you did Karl.

Jerry

Hi Jerry:

thanks for the compliment. Much apprecioated.

Karl 

Hi Guys:

My friend who is into photography told me that my photos of this look washed out. Probably due the the camera is very old and may be starting to go. I took a new photo wig=the my wife Sony RX10. I think it looks way better. Let me know what you think OK.

Karl

Not washed out Karl , I just think you are compressing the photo's a bit too much , or you have set the jpg quality to low , something like that . I know some people still have slow internet , but I think 200 KB or thereabouts is perfectly okay for all.

Oh yes it does Karl.  That made a big difference.

Jerry

Very nice Karl.

Hi Janbouli, Jerry & Curt:

Thanks for the comments. Much appreciated. I think the las photo is much nicer.

Karl

Awesome as always Karl.  Thanks for writting this build up on the forum.

Karl,


Looks great, colors in the last photo are definitely better, just wish the photo was larger, hint hint.

Awesome work as always!!!
John

Great job Karl.....the second photo with you wifes' camera is noticeably better.  8)

Hey Bruce, Jerry , John and Greg:

Thanks very much for the compliments. Much appreciated as always.

Karl

Looks like I missed the grand finale, looks fantastic and not to take away from all the great looking wood work but the roof weathering came out spot on.