FOS Rust Rock Falls -- in progress

[Opa George]

Here is the garage at about 80% completion.  Needs outside details and signs, signs and more signs.  Also needs to be dirtied up a bit, or a lot.

This is not a final location. I just wanted to place it in the vicinity of the automaton factory since they go together.  Likely the dance hall will occupy this spot with the garage across the canal on the far side.


While allowing various assemblies of the garage to dry or cure, I worked on the luncheonette. This is a delightful tiny structure loaded with detail.  Here it is, like the garage, nearing completion but not there yet.  Doug's pilot model is dirtied up to the point that I would have to be really hungry before stopping for lunch, that is, if I was a 1/87th size person.



More soon.
--Opa George

[postalkarl]

Hey George:

Looking just great so far.

Karl

[Mark Dalrymple]

Looking great, George.

Love the roof on that luncheonette.  Lets hope there are no big winds in your fictional locale - the iron roof on the garage wouldn't last a minute.

Cheers, Mark.

[Opa George]

Looking great, George.

Love the roof on that luncheonette.  Lets hope there are no big winds in your fictional locale - the iron roof on the garage wouldn't last a minute.

Cheers, Mark.

Mark, you are likley very correct in that.  Maybe I should place a bunch of tires up there, like George does on the FSM. I've always wondered how so many tires got up on those roofs.

George

[Mark Dalrymple]

Maybe I should place a bunch of tires up there, like George does on the FSM. I've always wondered how so many tires got up on those roofs.

I took me years to find a prototypical example of this.  But one day I was driving out in the country and passed an old barn with a very old iron roof and - you guessed it - loads of tires holding the iron in place.  I was delighted "so it does happen" I thought!

Cheers, Mark.

[GPdemayo]

Very nice additions to the empire George.....

[cuse]

Maybe I should place a bunch of tires up there, like George does on the FSM. I've always wondered how so many tires got up on those roofs.

I took me years to find a prototypical example of this.  But one day I was driving out in the country and passed an old barn with a very old iron roof and - you guessed it - loads of tires holding the iron in place.  I was delighted "so it does happen" I thought!

Cheers, Mark.

Whooaaa...this is a big day for me. I always thought the tires looked "cool" but never understood the prototype significance. Just dead weight. Substance over appearance. Thank you.

[Lynnb]

Stucco over brick mix came out great.

[Opa George]

Stucco over brick mix came out great.

Thanks, Lynn.  I am quite happy with it and will just keep using that method for stucco.  I think it is more controllable than the water putty and easier to sand, clean up around window openings.

--George

[Opa George]

The last few days I've been working on the dance hall.  Local jazz and swing bands play this club, and a kitchen inside serves up alcohol and dinners as an added feature to lure the locals. My grandfather was a swing bandleader in the 1930s and 40s, and played countless locations such as this.

Here is the FOS Linden Hall dance hall:


Location is approximately where it will sit with respect to the factory across the canal. A footbridge and a concrete road bridge connect the two.

Another angle:


I've got some details to add yet: doorknobs/handles on the main door, a front stoop, more posters, roof details, etc.

Here is the back of the joint.  This highlights the fact that the hall itself is a cut-rate "add-on" to the board and batten structure. The tarpaper wall construction is clearly visible from the back, along with numerous emergency patch jobs where nature or boisterous customers have damaged the otherwise rather flimsy walls.


It occurs to me that the kitchen has no rear entrance to receive deliveries and remove garbage.  I may add a back door, which will then allow for the modeling of lots of fun additional details such as garbage cans.  Maybe some local cats, dogs or even raccoons to add a little havoc to annoy the cook.

Here is an advertisement for my grandfather's band: The Hollywood Cadets.  The Hotel Bessamer was one of their regular venues. Some other interesting acts on the bill, too.


All for now.
--Opa George

[Mark Dalrymple]

Looking good, George.

Great signage!  It occurs to me that by the time you added a bar and some tables and chairs inside for dining there would be very little room left for dancing.  Maybe you could add a marque and some outside tables and chairs behind the hall?  This would free up dancing space inside and provide some great opportunities for mini scenes outside!

Cheers, Mark.

[Opa George]

Looking good, George.

Great signage!  It occurs to me that by the time you added a bar and some tables and chairs inside for dining there would be very little room left for dancing.  Maybe you could add a marque and some outside tables and chairs behind the hall?  This would free up dancing space inside and provide some great opportunities for mini scenes outside!

Cheers, Mark.

Thanks much, Mark! I'll have less available room outside once it is in place and I'm worried that too many tipsy diners would tumble into the canal and take a journey over the falls.

Actually, this size nicely approximates the many corner "joints" around town here that originally served food but then added a small stage and dance floor to capitalize on the swing and jazz dance popularity. They were smoky, crowded and amazingly efficient.  Dinner was usually served between 5 and 7 while the warmup acts performed, then tables were cleared away to make additional room for dancing when the featured band took the stage.

Your marquee and alfresco dining note is certainly valid though.  My collection of ads from this time period includes a few that advertised an outside "biergarten" when spring and summer weather permitted. Usually those were special weekend events.

Geo

[Oldguy]

All very well done.

[Mark Dalrymple]

Thanks for the insight, George.

Never thought of fold up tables and stackable chairs being used and moved for the dancing.  Although now I see you need a stage in there too!

Actually, outside tables and a canal disaster could make a great min scene!

Cheers, Mark.

[deemery]

Nice story about the dinner & dancing!  I agree you should add a back door.  It would also allow them to serve the biergarten...


dave