Bar Mills Tribute Kit 1

[vinceg]

Looks great, George. I didn't realize that the "third building" is actually multiple individual full buildings with real walls. Sounds like even more flexibility when siting the kit. I'm enjoying following along.

[jerryrbeach]

George,


This is coming along nicely.  It is going to look great when assembled into the scene with the other two structures.

[Opa George]

Great color on the walls, did you find they mated up pretty evenly?

Hi Lynn--thanks for the comment. I would say "fairly" evenly--but the variation is my own doing. I used the same A&I mix as on the first two structures, but because I store it in an old cream cheese tub instead of an airtight bottle, it is subject to more evaporation and thus strengthening--and these walls were therefore a little darker before I dry-brushed on the white paint.

Instead of making myself crazy trying to match them perfectly with the first two structures (the variation is subtle), I will allow the difference and attribute it to different age on the structures. I kind of like that story anyway--provides more of a backstory.

As for the A+I--I think I will start storing it in an airtight bottle, pour out what I need and then funnel it back when done.  Live and learn.

--Opa George

[Opa George]

Really nice modeling George.

Thanks, Curt. This kit is really fun to work with and lends itself to lots of creativity.
--George

[Opa George]

Looks great, George. I didn't realize that the "third building" is actually multiple individual full buildings with real walls. Sounds like even more flexibility when siting the kit. I'm enjoying following along.

Thanks, Vince. Yes, I also like that, as opposed to carboard or no dividing wall. However there are some necessary modifications to keep in mind if varying from the plans.  First, the rooftop water or chemical tank sits on a platform that spans the middle shed and the right-hand structure.  Second, pipes from the tank connect to pre-drilled holes in the wall of the left-hand structure. Neither modification would be difficult, though.
--Opa George

[Opa George]

George,

This is coming along nicely.  It is going to look great when assembled into the scene with the other two structures.

Thanks, Jerry. Yes, I'm getting anxious to start in on that stage.  Lots to do yet on this one--rafter tails, roofing, lights, vents, etc. This one also sports the extra-elaborate rooftop vents that Bar-Mills made special for it.
--George

[S&S RR]

George


Looking great! I love the signs and the weathering.

[Opa George]

George

Looking great! I love the signs and the weathering.

Thanks much, John.

[Opa George]

Time to start the water/chemical tank for the roof of the middle building (the connecting shed). It will be individual boards glued around a cylindrical tank form. The form is composed of six pieces that fit together exactly. I did not have to file or fool with them, other than being careful to gently fit them. Also, unlike the foundation bracing that could be assembled incorrectly if you are not careful, I don't think you can fit these six pieces wrong.

There are 13 2x8 strips provided for the tank staves, along with a length cutting guide. As this will be a focal point of the building, I distressed the stripwood with a small razor saw blade before staining. I used (left to right): A&I full strength, Hunterline light gray,, Hunterline blue gray, and Hunterline driftwood. The smaller platform assembly is a one-piece laser cut platform over a frame. As the platform was from a darker wood, I used only A&I, followed by a some minor application of the various Hunterline stains to a few random boards.


Below is the structure with all roofs applied and dry-brushed with white acrylic. I actually got the white a bit too heavy for my taste and went back with a damp cloth and removed some before it cured--an advantage of using the acrylics. After the roof vents and other details are installed, I will follow-up with a combination of A&I, dry- brushed rust, and various chalks.


Happy New Year to everyone!
--George

[Opa George]

Here are some quick pics of last night's progress, before work this morning. I painted the liquid in the tank and applied several layers of Mod Podge before wrapping the form with the stained stripwood. I added a final layer after the stripwood was added, to blend the water surface with the inside wall of the tank. Below, the structure partially assembled. The right-hand structure is not yet attached so that I can work on the piping.


Below and the next--both sides of the structure with the right-hand structure temporarily moved in place, to see how it looks and test for fit.  Lots more to do--more details, pipes, structural bits, ladders, the banding around the tank, etc.  Also, none of the applied details have finishing work yet--final paint and weathering, blending, etc.  For now, the tank looks a little "stripey," but that will diminish after weathering to simulate leaking water and rot.


and the other side:


Now to work. I see lots of build challenge threads started--and will have to catch up with everyone on the weekend.
Best regards--Opa George

[vinceg]

Looks excellent, George. I don't see the striping effects in the picture that you mentioned.

Did you paint the fluid in the tank white or is that just uncured Mod Podge?

[jerryrbeach]

George,


This looks better each time you post a photo.  Still following...

[cuse]

Wow...great build! The colors & weathering are a worthy tribute to the FSM as well. 


John

[jrmueller]

Looks terrific George. Jim

[PRR Modeler]

Very nicely done George.