The Modeler's Forum

The Mainline => Scratchbuilding => Topic started by: nycjeff on November 21, 2023, 02:22:22 PM

Title: Elevated tank for service area
Post by: nycjeff on November 21, 2023, 02:22:22 PM
I was looking through some pictures of Cliff Power's Magnolia Route Model Railroad and one of his structures caught my eye. Actually many, many things caught my eye- if you haven't seen Cliff's work I highly recommend that you do. Below is a picture of an elevated fuel tank that he built for his engine service area.

elevated tank.jpeg

I wanted one for my layout so...

IMG_0708.JPG

I started out, as I always do with my scratchbuilds, with a scale drawing.

IMG_0707.JPG

I used 1/8 square wood for the main support pieces. I stained the wood with my AI solution to give it a weathered appearance.

IMG_0706.JPG

I used 2x8's for the cross braces. I used white wood glue. At the bottom is a complkete piece and above is s second one on the template.

IMG_0709.JPG

I either forgot to take more in progress pictures or I somehow lost them, so jumping ahead here is the completed structure.

I used an old tank car and removed the trucks and endframes. I then painted the tank with rattle can red primer. I used 4x8 wood for the deck boards that the tank is sitting on.
Title: Re: Elevated tank for service area
Post by: nycjeff on November 21, 2023, 02:40:25 PM
IMG_0710.JPG

I cut a piece of thin styrene for a base and the painted it with a brown dirt color and while still wet, I sprinkled on some of my basic scenic dirt material. I used a piece of plastic sprue material for the vertical pipe. I painted this flat black. I built a small section of wood scaffold, which I placed near the end of the tank. I felt like the scene needed something else to give it a little more interest.

IMG_0711.JPG

A side view here shows the 2x8 wood braces that I installed to hold the vertical heavy wood support pieces straight and plumb.

IMG_0712.JPG

here is a view of the other end of the tank. I placed some wood scraps and a couple of detail castings around the base along with a few small bushes and weeds.

IMG_0713.JPG

Here is a closer look at the tank itself. I had a short wood ladder in my stash, but it wasn't long enough to reach the tank platform, so I built a little wood base for it. Again, just another something to add interest.

IMG_0714.JPG

Here's a closer look at the small wood scaffold section.

This whole project only took me a couple of hours over a two day period to complete and I am very pleased with how it came out.

Again, if you haven't seen Cliff Power's work, look into it, the man is a master.
Title: Re: Elevated tank for service area
Post by: Zephyrus52246 on November 21, 2023, 04:34:55 PM
Cliff's work is wonderful. So is your build.

Jeff
Title: Re: Elevated tank for service area
Post by: Mark Dalrymple on November 21, 2023, 04:39:57 PM
Really nice work - and quick, too.

I'd definitely cut off the bar codes, though.

Cheers, Mark.
Title: Re: Elevated tank for service area
Post by: Jim Donovan on November 21, 2023, 10:52:00 PM
Very, very nice.

Jim
Title: Re: Elevated tank for service area
Post by: GPdemayo on November 22, 2023, 07:41:46 AM
Great work Jeff..... 8)
Title: Re: Elevated tank for service area
Post by: nycjeff on November 22, 2023, 10:47:53 PM
Quote from: Zephyrus52246 on November 21, 2023, 04:34:55 PMCliff's work is wonderful. So is your build.

Jeff

Hello Jeff, yes Cliff's work is indeed wonderful. thank you.

Quote from: Mark Dalrymple on November 21, 2023, 04:39:57 PMReally nice work - and quick, too.

I'd definitely cut off the bar codes, though.

Cheers, Mark.

Hello Mark, this was a quick and easy build, maybe that's why I missed the bar codes.

Quote from: Jim Donovan on November 21, 2023, 10:52:00 PMVery, very nice.

Jim

Quote from: GPdemayo on November 22, 2023, 07:41:46 AMGreat work Jeff..... 8)

Hello Jim and Greg, thank you for the kind words.