This is my official start to the 2022 Build Challenge. This is the first of two threads for the two builds I plan on doing for the challenge this year. This first kit is the FSM Kit #210 - Icing Platform. Box opening pictures to follow.
The traditional box opening pictures. Yes - the directions are a little yellowed on this one and the rubber bands have to be cleaned off the strip wood. It has been a few years since George boxed this one.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-080821195102-50000786.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-080821195102-500012299.jpeg)
I have the gator board base all cut and ready to go on my layout when this build is finished.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-080821195102-499991242.jpeg)
The icing platform is the first FSM kit I purchased. I had gotten "reinterested" in model railroading a year before (the Wilfred Brambell FSM kit ad just blew me away). This kit was "affordable" at only $29. Brambell's was $150, too much for someone still in Med School. I've not built the kit, but will watch your build with interest.
Jeff
Looking forward to your build John.....I'll be looking in. :)
I'll be following along.
I'm following along too. I built this one a long time ago. Too long ago to admit. It's a lot of fun (no surprise there, it is an FSM kit after all).
The only thing I'd suggest doing differently is to not follow the instructions when it comes to the blocks of 'ice' and, if I recall correctly, coating them with 5 minutes epoxy. Where I to do it again I think I'd try something like Mod Podge. The epoxy doesn't look bad but over the years it can change color slightly.
Quote from: Zephyrus52246 on January 04, 2022, 07:27:45 AM
The icing platform is the first FSM kit I purchased. I had gotten "reinterested" in model railroading a year before (the Wilfred Brambell FSM kit ad just blew me away). This kit was "affordable" at only $29. Brambell's was $150, too much for someone still in Med School. I've not built the kit, but will watch your build with interest.
Jeff
Jeff
I remember the college days when $29 dollars was too much. I have suppressed the memory of what I ended up paying for Brambell's when I finally could afford to buy it and build it. I have a few add on details planned for this kit built based on some pictures that "the Judge" posted, if I can make them work. Stay tuned.
Quote from: GPdemayo on January 04, 2022, 07:59:11 AM
Looking forward to your build John.....I'll be looking in. :)
Greg
Thank you for joining our journey.
Quote from: PRR Modeler on January 04, 2022, 08:14:07 AM
I'll be following along.
Curt
Great to have you along for the ride.
Quote from: ReadingBob on January 04, 2022, 10:50:05 AM
I'm following along too. I built this one a long time ago. Too long ago to admit. It's a lot of fun (no surprise there, it is an FSM kit after all).
The only thing I'd suggest doing differently is to not follow the instructions when it comes to the blocks of 'ice' and, if I recall correctly, coating them with 5 minutes epoxy. Where I to do it again I think I'd try something like Mod Podge. The epoxy doesn't look bad but over the years it can change color slightly.
Bob
Thank you for following along and the build tip. I will take a look at the options when I get there.
Hey John:
Built that one some time ago. Great kit enjoy.
Karl
Quote from: postalkarl on January 04, 2022, 06:01:48 PM
Hey John:
Built that one some time ago. Great kit enjoy.
Karl
Karl
Thank you for following along.
Here are a couple photographs of the location where the ice platform will go on my layout.
Foreground in this first picture.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-040122221948-51574472.jpeg)
Here is the general area. The ice platform will be right in the center of this picture.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-040122221948-51575745.jpeg)
I really like this kit and hope to acquire and build it some day. I also like the small shed and auxiliary platform that George added the the end of his model on the F&SM.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/303-050122080930-515791184.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/303-050122080930-5157847.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/303-050122080930-515762230.jpeg)
I am looking forward to watching your build.
Matt
One more photo showing the office for the complex.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/303-050122082159.jpeg)
Matt
Without doubt a true railroad classic.
This one would look great anywhere. Great choice.
My buddy Piezcyk scratched this one for me over 20 years ago. He used plexiglass squares for the ice. He took a small welding torch, lit it and then flicked the ice squares and to this day they still look wet.
Looking forward to how this one will turn out.
Jaime
hey John:
You are quite welcome.
Karl
Quote from: restocarp on January 05, 2022, 08:12:56 AM
I really like this kit and hope to acquire and build it some day. I also like the small shed and auxiliary platform that George added the the end of his model on the F&SM.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/303-050122080930-515791184.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/303-050122080930-5157847.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/303-050122080930-515762230.jpeg)
I am looking forward to watching your build.
Matt
Matt
Thank you for the reference photographs - I spent the morning clearing my detail workbench for this build. I'm going to take a look at the possibilities for some scratch built support structures to complement this build in my location on the layout. Stay tuned.
Quote from: NEMMRRC on January 06, 2022, 09:30:27 AM
Without doubt a true railroad classic.
This one would look great anywhere. Great choice.
My buddy Piezcyk scratched this one for me over 20 years ago. He used plexiglass squares for the ice. He took a small welding torch, lit it and then flicked the ice squares and to this day they still look wet.
Looking forward to how this one will turn out.
Jaime
Jaime
Thank you for following along, it's great to see you back on the forum. Keep telling yourself life is too short for all work and know play. Thank you for the tip on the ice blocks - I will give it a try and post the results.
John,
Did the freezing cold temps help you decide on this FSM build ??? ;D ;D ;D
Tommy
Quote from: tom.boyd.125 on January 06, 2022, 11:16:11 AM
John,
Did the freezing cold temps help you decide on this FSM build ??? ;D ;D ;D
Tommy
Tommy
Thank you for following along - I think the freezing cold temperatures are keeping me inside at my workbench. ;) ;D I found some pictures at a local restaurant of ice cutting operation that happened every winter on the lake by my house. Ice was a big deal back in the days before refrigeration and electricity. My Grandparents used it until the late 1950's on their farm in Northern Michigan.
Just caught up and following along. I think I have this kit too.
Jim D
Lots of great pictures.
KARL
Quote from: Jim Donovan on January 11, 2022, 06:49:21 AM
Just caught up and following along. I think I have this kit too.
Jim D
Jim
Thank you for following along - I have a couple more days work on the Branchline Water Tower and then I get going on this build as my primary project.
Quote from: postalkarl on January 11, 2022, 11:37:52 AM
Lots of great pictures.
KARL
Karl
Thank you - more to come.
So I got a little side tracked on this build and built the FSM Water Tower #240 first, but I'm back at it. My workbench has been cleaned and the box is back off the shelf and opened on my workbench. Step one spread all the parts out on the workbench and see what is in the box. The detail castings have been sent off to the paint booth for priming.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-240122112421-51790699.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-240122112421-517921932.jpeg)
Somewhere on the forum we had a discussion about the "before laser" kits that George put out. This is one of them. All of the window and door openings where cut out with a table saw. The builder had to finish the horizontal cut. I use a razor blade to do this.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-240122112421-51791610.jpeg)
I'll be following John.
So many sticks in that box. ;D Were all the parts hand cut on a saw? I thought they were stamped out on some kind of machine.
Jeff
Quote from: PRR Modeler on January 24, 2022, 12:18:54 PM
I'll be following John.
Curt
Thank you, I hope I can make it worth your time.
Quote from: Zephyrus52246 on January 24, 2022, 05:35:47 PM
So many sticks in that box. ;D Were all the parts hand cut on a saw? I thought they were stamped out on some kind of machine.
Jeff
Jeff
Yes, George cut every one of those little pieces with a table saw and a special saw blade. He showed me the saw and blade one time when I was there. These were the days when the craftsman kits were made by hand by a craftsman. Every time I build one of these kits I wonder how much George made per hour on these kits. He worked hard for his money. I'm not sure which kit was the first to be cut with a laser. Good question to ask George next time I talk to him. In our discussion a few weeks ago Campbell kits were mentioned. I'm not sure how they were manufactured but I will pull out one of the boxes I have under the layout and take a look. It is very easy to tell by looking at the cut edge. Stay tuned for a report, tomorrow.
I believe Campbell and similar vintage wood kits were cut with a die. I don't know if it was one die for each piece/side, or if there were multiple impressions (one for each door/window opening.)
dave
Quote from: deemery on January 24, 2022, 06:53:53 PM
I believe Campbell and similar vintage wood kits were cut with a die. I don't know if it was one die for each piece/side, or if there were multiple impressions (one for each door/window opening.)
dave
You are correct, they were die cut. But not all the way through. Just enough to show the builder where to cut.
hey John:
looks like you got it started. Will be following along.
Karl
Quote from: postalkarl on January 25, 2022, 05:19:20 PM
hey John:
looks like you got it started. Will be following along.
Karl
Karl
Yup, we have glue on some of the sticks. Thank you for following along.
I made some progress on this build, today. First, I continued with the application of the bracing to the clapboard pieces (I will post a picture when all the bracing is in place). Second, I did a test paint of a small piece of scrap clapboard ( I used one of the cutouts from the door openings). I decided to go with a light yellow soft pastel chalk over a Hunterline driftwood stain. Here are a few pictures that describe the process.
First the driftwood stain.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-250122213941-51804730.jpeg)
After the stain was dry. I added multiple coats of the soft pastel chalk mixed with alcohol. I made the test sample with as heavy of a coat of the chalk that I plan on using. When I do the walls for the kit I will vary the amount of plaster from very light with the driftwood stain showing through to about as heavy as you see on this sample. I simple scrape some chalk off the stick on to my glass plate, add the alcohol. and apply the mixture with a paint brush.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-250122181428-51796186.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-250122181429-517991540.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-250122181428-51798990.jpeg)
For the trim color I chose a dark red/brown called Mahogany.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-250122181429-518002158.jpeg)
The final step was to take the sample to the layout and see what it looked like surrounded by the other structures in the area and the scenery.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-250122181637-518011649.jpeg)
At this point I like it, and it will probably be the final choice but I'm going to let the sample sit there for a couple days until the rest of the clapboard is ready to be painted.
The third activity on this build for today was some research on icing platforms, ice houses, and the cold storage business before electricity and refrigeration. I have a few pictures to post and have decided to do some kit bashing to add more details to this build. For tonight, it is getting late and the pictures and a description of my plans will wait for tomorrow.
Sometimes the planning phase is as much fun as the actual build !!
Love your approach John, and like you, I often build a structure multiple times in my head while jotting down 'build' notes before any glue or paint hits the actual model.
Looking forward to see what you come up with for this classic kit and how it comes together !!
All the best,
--Paul
Quote from: PaulS on January 26, 2022, 09:12:35 AM
Sometimes the planning phase is as much fun as the actual build !!
Love your approach John, and like you, I often build a structure multiple times in my head while jotting down 'build' notes before any glue or paint hits the actual model.
Looking forward to see what you come up with for this classic kit and how it comes together !!
All the best,
--Paul
Paul
Thank you for following along. I do enjoy the planning and research phase as much as the build. I like what George did with his additions of the belt and opposite end shed (see the pictures that Matt posted on page 1). Based on the prototype pictures that I found on the internet I have a couple more details that I'm going to try to add. As always, stay tuned.
I made some more progress on this build today. The clapboard walls that come with the kit have all been braced and I started adding the door castings and preparing them for staining. Yes, there will be nail heads. i will probably be adding some walls once I get the design additions figured out.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-270122192415-51827925.jpeg)
I also my work area ready for the build and kit bashing that I plan on doing. Directly behind me the directions are hanging on a bar for quick reference.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-270122192416-518291276.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-270122192416-518311067.jpeg)
I also hung up some of the pictures I collect from my internet research on ice platforms. Basically, some pictures of features that I would like to add if I can make them work. You will also see the pictures of Georges build with additional shed and conveyor belt.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-270122192415-518282425.jpeg)
Making good progress John.
John..............
Cool build.
Thanx
Bob
Quote from: PRR Modeler on January 27, 2022, 08:08:36 PM
Making good progress John.
Curt
Thank you, I'm putting a lot of time in on the changes I want to make.
Quote from: bparrish on January 27, 2022, 09:21:17 PM
John..............
Cool build.
Thanx
Bob
Bob
Thank you, for following along.
I made some more progress on this build today. The walls were prepared for assembly. Complete with door castings, corner trim, and nail heads.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-280122220817-51833220.jpeg)
I then stained the walls with Hunterline Driftwood stain.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-280122220817-51834361.jpeg)
Then the soft pastel chalk was added. This give the walls that chalky, needed repainting for years, look. I started with one coat of chalk applied with alcohol. I will add to this if necessary after the building is together and on the layout.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-280122220817-518351184.jpeg)
Here is a picture of all the walls as they were drying.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-280122220817-51836368.jpeg)
Finally, for today, the walls started going together.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-280122220935-518381972.jpeg)
I also, just before I started the gluing of the assemblies, made a quick template of the roof line. I think there will be some roof rafter production in my future. Stay tuned.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-280122220817-51832243.jpeg)
Today, the main walls were glued together.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-290122223120-51860898.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-290122223234-518621574.jpeg)
I also spent some time looking at the prototype pictures and trying to decide what I wanted to do with adding some additional detail to this structure.
I have already decided to add the hinged gates and roof on part of the platform as shown in this picture.
Does anyone have any idea what the boxes on the roof of this ice platform are for?
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-290122223234-51861772.jpeg)
Update: I have template cut and the partially assembled structure sitting on my layout so I can keeping looking at it from different angles and decide which way I want to go with this. As of today, I haven't heard from anyone that has a guess as to what the boxes are for on the top of the roof of the ice platform in the picture above. I will be off and running on this build again in a couple days.
Looking at this photo for the past 5 minutes has me believing they aren't on the roof of the platform at all, and actually part of the structure behind it.
In fact, what your distant arrow is pointing at seems to be the main part of this background structure...
In this photo, for instance, the background structure is close enough that (at the right angle) could appear to be part of the ice platform:
(https://www.trains.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/20180425.jpg)
Hey Craig:
I think you might be rights.
Karl
Quote from: Keep it Rusty on February 01, 2022, 02:00:51 PM
Looking at this photo for the past 5 minutes has me believing they aren't on the roof of the platform at all, and actually part of the structure behind it.
In fact, what your distant arrow is pointing at seems to be the main part of this background structure...
In this photo, for instance, the background structure is close enough that (at the right angle) could appear to be part of the ice platform:
(https://www.trains.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/20180425.jpg)
Craig
Upon further review, I think you are correct. It must be the angle of the photograph. I still do not understand what they would be for, on any structure, but I'm not going to worry about them for the ice platform. It must be my Engineering blood but I can't stand not understanding what something is for. Thank you for your help and good luck with your move.
Quote from: postalkarl on February 01, 2022, 05:00:10 PM
Hey Craig:
I think you might be rights.
Karl
Karl
Great minds think alike, thank you my friend.
John, Sorry, I'm a bit late to comment but a bit of long-winded refrigeration history that may be of interest:
Assuming that the complex was built late 1920's through WW II or even into the 1950's then:
1] The primary refrigerant of choice would probably have been ammonia;
and
2] The bulk ice storage room(s) would probably have had static coil banks, or "grids"located on the upper walls and across the ceiling of the room(s) - typically 1-¼" Sch. 40 pipe recirculating ammonia refrigerant, or sometimes depending on the jurisdiction where the facility was located, 1-½" or 2" Sch. 40 pipe recirculating a secondary refigerant comprising calcium chloride brine solution. Literally miles of pipe in a large complex.
Assuming also that the building in the background is part of the ice house complex, then the structures that you marked protruding above the ice platform shade roof probably housed refrigeration equipment. Some of the handling and product storage areas/zones often incorporated roof structures such as shown in the photo containing refrigerated coil banks and blower fans recirculating refrigerated air to and from the serviced zone via sheet metal ducting.
The block ice making tank containing refrigerated calcium chloride brine solution would typically have been at ground level with an overhead gantry crane to handle the sets of ice-making cans, placing them into and removing them from the can-carrying structure spanning the brine tank. Typically the refrigeration compressors and associated equipment would be housed in a separate room adjacent to the ice tank room.
In the other photo the cylindrical structure on the roof (mid-left) appears to be an evaporative cooling tower for the refrigeration system condenser water.
More than you probably ever wanted to know about block ice making in that era using mechanical refrigeration!!
BrianM
I just caught up and found the ice making information fascinating. Brian and Craig thanks for sharing. John, kit looks great and your instructions on method really helpful. I am enjoying tagging along.
Jim D
Thanks Brian. That was very interesting.
Quote from: BrianM on February 01, 2022, 10:20:30 PM
John, Sorry, I'm a bit late to comment but a bit of long-winded refrigeration history that may be of interest:
Assuming that the complex was built late 1920's through WW II or even into the 1950's then:
1] The primary refrigerant of choice would probably have been ammonia;
and
2] The bulk ice storage room(s) would probably have had static coil banks, or "grids"located on the upper walls and across the ceiling of the room(s) - typically 1-¼" Sch. 40 pipe recirculating ammonia refrigerant, or sometimes depending on the jurisdiction where the facility was located, 1-½" or 2" Sch. 40 pipe recirculating a secondary refigerant comprising calcium chloride brine solution. Literally miles of pipe in a large complex.
Assuming also that the building in the background is part of the ice house complex, then the structures that you marked protruding above the ice platform shade roof probably housed refrigeration equipment. Some of the handling and product storage areas/zones often incorporated roof structures such as shown in the photo containing refrigerated coil banks and blower fans recirculating refrigerated air to and from the serviced zone via sheet metal ducting.
The block ice making tank containing refrigerated calcium chloride brine solution would typically have been at ground level with an overhead gantry crane to handle the sets of ice-making cans, placing them into and removing them from the can-carrying structure spanning the brine tank. Typically the refrigeration compressors and associated equipment would be housed in a separate room adjacent to the ice tank room.
In the other photo the cylindrical structure on the roof (mid-left) appears to be an evaporative cooling tower for the refrigeration system condenser water.
More than you probably ever wanted to know about block ice making in that era using mechanical refrigeration!!
BrianM
Brian
Thank you so much for answering my question. In my part of the country mother nature generated the ice and it was stored in well insulated Ice Houses. It was a very big industry with all the fresh water lakes in this area. It makes since that refrigeration facilities where used to generate and store the ice first - then as they got cheap enough, and small enough, they replaced the ice as the primary way to keep produce cool. Thank you for your help with this. Now, I have to look at my 1940's and 50's pictures and see if these facilities were used in the North.
Quote from: Jim Donovan on February 01, 2022, 10:36:20 PM
I just caught up and found the ice making information fascinating. Brian and Craig thanks for sharing. John, kit looks great and your instructions on method really helpful. I am enjoying tagging along.
Jim D
Jim
Thank you for tagging along and I hope you find something that helps you enjoy the hobby.
Great ditty on ice production..............
This was not far from the stationary refrigeration system on the first ship I was on. There was no brining process but the location and size of piping was about the same.
Thanx
Bob
Great history Brian.....thanks for sharing. :)
You are welcome. Notwithstanding that I'm retired, some other projects have had to take priority over my hobby activities so I enjoy an opportunity like this to make a contribution to the discussion.
John: It will be interesting to read what you find out about the area that you depict in your layout.
The reality as early as the 1920's of block ice demand exceeding the availability of stored ice, even if only for the latter part of the year, necessitated that the mainstream ice vendors invest in mechanical refrigeration and the cost of the latter was progressively getting more attractive due to ever expanding adoption in other industries. Example: meat chilling, freezing and storage; dairy products production and storage; etc. Of course as time went on and demand for refrigerated food and associated storage increased it is likely that block ice production by mechanical refrigeration became cheaper than traditional winter ice harvesting with long term storage so the latter rapidly faded into history.
Food for thought: If you are depicting a real backwoods area with just a few ice bunker reefer cars a week then I would think an ice harvest/storage arrangement to be quite appropriate. Maybe even showing the harvested ice elevator or hoist along with some of the ice sleds and scrapped/damaged sleds in the area of the storage building. However, if you plan regular freight service from or through the area of the icing platform with intent to ice and/or re-ice (for long haul) numerous refers on a daily basis then I suggest that the ice facility incorporate mechanical refrigeration. Either way, the difference depicting mechanical refrigeration could be fairly simple providing you do not plan to show any interior detail.
EDIT:
Now, my sincere apologies but I should have gone back to page 1 and re-read your overall plan before commenting above. Looking at the photos it is clear to me that transporting harvested ice to that area will involve some intriguing logistics with an interesting back story (unless the ice comes in by rail box car which could be feasible {marginally profitable ice sales business} and could generate additional rail traffic - ice in by rail, ice out in reefers and maybe some local distribution by road vehicle if you decide to add road access to the low elevation platform at elevating conveyor end of the structure.???). Alternately I respectfully suggest going the mechanical refrigeration route but that does not really fit with the FSM ice platform kit design.
I feel have overstepped my privilege by excessively ambushing your thread so please feel free to contact me by PM (natrefATgvtc.com) if you would like to do some off-thread imagineering and/or would like some historic photos of both harvesting and mechanically producing block ice.
Brian M
It's my recollection that a lot of coal dealers also delivered ice. That's the reason I added a small icehouse to my coal dealership. Sometimes lumber or moving would be combined/done by the same family. (That's based in part by a family friend whose business started as coal delivery and ended up as movers.)
dave
Dave,
A company called: Wisconsin Ice and Coal would be an example.
Brian M