2026-2026 Winter Challange - OVL Co. Maintenance Buildings

[elwoodblues]

I'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.

[Pennman]

Ron,

I will be following your builds here, nice choices for a group diorama.

Rich

[elwoodblues]

Ron,

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.

[ACL1504]

Ron,

I like the idea for this one. I've got my Diet Pepsi and waiting for the next update.

Tom 

[elwoodblues]

Ron,

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.

[elwoodblues]

I spent some time tonight figuring out the layout of the buildings for the challenge build





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.





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.

[Larry C]

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.

[elwoodblues]

Thanks Larry,  I hate working without planing things out first.  

[Philip]

  Plan A
           h

             e
               a
                 D !        Looks great!

[elwoodblues]

Plan A
          h

            e
              a
                D !       Looks great!

Thanks Philip.

[Jerry]

Looks like your ready to start the building.

Jerry

[elwoodblues]

Looks like your ready to start the building.

Jerry

Yes Jerry, I am ready to start building.  

Speaking of starting to build. . . . . . .

[elwoodblues]

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. . . . .




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.    My story is that the company used creosoted wood to prevent rot.





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.





The first stringer completed in the jig.





The first stringer removed from the jig.





All five stringers completed.

[elwoodblues]

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.





The stringers for the loading dock assembled and waiting for the glue to dry.





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.

[Rick]

Ron, excellent job of building and assembling the stringers.
Getting them nice and straight like you did isn't easy.