This is a project that I've been thinking about for years. On one area of my layout is a logging camp, the Okanagan Valley Lumber Company Camp #4. Along the back of the camp are three maintenance buildings that serve the camp. The buildings are serviced by a rail siding. The company owns a couple of 18ft boxcars that bring supplies to the camp.
The buildings that are planned for the service building were produced by Sierra West Scale Models. They are as follows,
- Tool Shed
- Rigging Shed
- Line side Storage Shed
2026 Challange Trackplan.jpg
These will be built on a common platform so that unloading the boxcars will be easier for the camp workers. The area where is will go is 24" x 4"
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The location of the challenge build, the building complex will go behind the siding.
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The boxcars that deliver supplies to the lumber camp.
I started building the tool shed years ago but the project has been in limbo since then as other layout priorities took precedence. I'm going to use the current winter challenge as the motivation to finally complete this build.
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The platform for the tool shed. This was built according to the instructions. Seeing as there will be three building involved this will not be used, but will form the basis for the new platform that will support the three buildings.
2026 challange-003.jpg
The walls for the tool shed are already built. The challenge I have going forward will be completing the building as I no longer know where the instructions are. :o
Before I start though, I need to complete the current boxcar build I'm doing. I have to start learning to complete one project before moving on to the next project.
Looks like a neat project, Ron.
I really like those 18' box cars. very cute.
QuoteI have to start learning to complete one project before moving on to the next project.
I have this same condition. I fear my case may be terminal!
Cheers, Mark.
Mark,
Those 18ft boxcars were produced by Boulder Valley Models, who unfortunately are no longer in business.
Ron this should be a nice setting using those 3 kits.
And you already off to a good start.
Jerry
Ron looking forward to your builds and should be a nice addition to your layout. It'll be fun watching you build 3 SW kits in 4 months; good luck.
Ron;
Welcome to the Winter Challenge, another great project, I have my popcorn ready along with a diet coke so looking forward to following along.
Jim
Ron,
I have the instructions for the Tool Shed if you need them.
Just email me and I can scan them in. Travis.summit@gmail.com
Your railroad plan looks like it would be fun to operate. Looking forward to your build.
Jeff
8)
Quote from: Jerry on January 07, 2026, 10:47:43 AMRon this should be a nice setting using those 3 kits.
And you already off to a good start.
Jerry
Thanks Jerry,
Not as good of a start as shown, as the dock will be rebuilt to allow for the three buildings to sit on it, but it is still a good start.
Quote from: Larry C on January 07, 2026, 11:45:53 AMRon looking forward to your builds and should be a nice addition to your layout. It'll be fun watching you build 3 SW kits in 4 months; good luck.
Larry, thanks and you are right, building 3 Sierra west kits in for months might be a stretch, but nothing like a deadline to motivate someone. ;D
Quote from: Jim Donovan on January 07, 2026, 12:43:31 PMRon;
Welcome to the Winter Challenge, another great project, I have my popcorn ready along with a diet coke so looking forward to following along.
Jim
Thanks Jim.
Quote from: TravisSumm on January 07, 2026, 11:50:03 PMRon,
I have the instructions for the Tool Shed if you need them.
Just email me and I can scan them in. Travis.summit@gmail.com
Travis, thanks for the instruction offer, but I was lucky and found a set.
Quote from: Zephyrus52246 on January 08, 2026, 09:38:51 AMYour railroad plan looks like it would be fun to operate. Looking forward to your build.
Jeff
Jeff, the layout is fun to operate. Now that I no longed travel for work, my goal is to re-establish operating sessions on the layout.
I'm going to enjoy following along as you build this project.
Have fun!
Quote from: Rick on January 08, 2026, 01:36:48 PMI'm going to enjoy following along as you build this project.
Have fun!
Thanks for joining in on the fun Rick, I just hope I'm not biting off more than I can chew.
Ron,
I will be following your builds here, nice choices for a group diorama.
Rich
Quote from: Pennman on January 09, 2026, 09:12:03 AMRon,
I will be following your builds here, nice choices for a group diorama.
Rich
Thanks Rich, I think it's going to be a fun build.
Ron,
I like the idea for this one. I've got my Diet Pepsi and waiting for the next update.
Tom
Quote from: ACL1504 on January 10, 2026, 10:41:50 AMRon,
I like the idea for this one. I've got my Diet Pepsi and waiting for the next update.
Tom
Thanks Tom,
I think this is going to be a fun build.
I spent some time tonight figuring out the layout of the buildings for the challenge build
2026 challange-005.jpg
The plan view shows the building locations on the loading dock. allowing 6 scale feet (1-1/2") between the building the loading dock ended up being approximately 81 scale feet (20-1/4") long. The width of 16 scale feet (4") is the space i have between the existing spur and the backdrop.
2026 challange-006.jpg
The front view shows the height of the loading dock and the height of the buildings.
Next up will be drawing up the plans required to construct the loading dock.
Thanks for looking in.
Ron looks like you have the concept down pretty well. Like the old saying goes "Plan the work....work the plan". Have fun; I'll be watching this one.
Thanks Larry, I hate working without planing things out first.
8) Plan A
h
e
a
D ! ;D Looks great!
Looks like your ready to start the building.
Jerry
Quote from: Jerry on January 20, 2026, 09:53:30 PMLooks like your ready to start the building.
Jerry
Yes Jerry, I am ready to start building. ;D
Speaking of starting to build. . . . . . .
Now that my boxcar build is almost complete, I starting building the loading dock for the challenge build. I haven't given up on the boxcars, it's just that I have time while I wait for paint to dry.
Let's begin. . . . .
2026 challange-007.jpg
First up was to stain the stringers ans posts required for the loading dock. I realized that once the stain had dried it was way darker than expected. I thought I used Hunterline's Brown, but under closer examination it was Tie Brown. :o My story is that the company used creosoted wood to prevent rot.
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Because there was 5 stringers to build, I took the time to make a jig to make them all consistent. The front stringer was cut into 24ft sections as it would take a very long tree to make a 81ft stringer.
2026 challange-009.jpg
The first stringer completed in the jig.
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The first stringer removed from the jig.
2026 challange-011.jpg
All five stringers completed.
2026 challange-012.jpg
Starting the assembly of the stringers. I made full size plans and laid wax paper over the plan so the glue won't stick to the plans. The plan is used to help line up the stringers.
2026 challange-013.jpg
The stringers for the loading dock assembled and waiting for the glue to dry.
2026 challange-014.jpg
The completed frame for the loading dock. For those who are interested the loading dock is 16' x 81' scale feet or 4" x 20-1/4" long.
Thanks for looking in.
Ron, excellent job of building and assembling the stringers.
Getting them nice and straight like you did isn't easy.
Ron the stringers look really good, nice and straight. That's going to be quite the landing dock when finished. Keep at it and enjoy.
Ron that is some outstanding work.
Those stringers are in perfect alignment!!
Jerry
Quote from: Rick on January 22, 2026, 06:14:44 AMRon, excellent job of building and assembling the stringers.
Getting them nice and straight like you did isn't easy.
Thanks Rick,
I would have taken a lot harder to align everything without the jig.
Quote from: Larry C on January 22, 2026, 09:46:01 AMRon the stringers look really good, nice and straight. That's going to be quite the landing dock when finished. Keep at it and enjoy.
Thanks Larry,
It needs to be sturdy is it will support 3 buildings and a ton of junk when completed.
Quote from: Jerry on January 22, 2026, 10:43:48 AMRon that is some outstanding work.
Those stringers are in perfect alignment!!
Jerry
Thanks Jerry,
Without the jig, getting everything in perfect alignment would have been a near impossible task.
Nice progress, Ron.
Its certainly a beefy deck!
Cheers, Mark.
Great start Ron.
Quote from: Mark Dalrymple on January 22, 2026, 03:19:22 PMNice progress, Ron.
Its certainly a beefy deck!
Cheers, Mark.
Thanks Mark,
It does looks beefy The stringers and posts are scale 8" x 8"
Howdy Ron, nice work on the stringers. They look professionally built, so straight! Have fun, mike
Good so far, Ron.
Nice coloring on the stringers and wood.
Rich
Ron,
I'll agree with all the other comments on your stringers. Great job and the coloring looks natural as well.
Tom