anybody know where i can get the plans or measurement for a gm assembly plant to use as backdrop building
I think I would start by doing a search, maybe Google maps, look at satellite and street views, and see what you can find. There is GM plant in Janesville, WI. I think it’s shut down, but the buildings are all there. Measurements probably wouldn’t do you any good, as a plant of this size would probably take up a whole wall of a basement layout.
Just my idea of a place to start, to get some ideas.
Mike.
Which era are you modeling? Modern GM looks different than steam. If you the name of the plant you would like, google is helpful–fleet wood, Clark street, Buick city, chevy in the hole, etc. all have tons of info and images on the web.
I would say build what you want since a real GM plant might be as much as 8 to 12 real ft wide in HO scale, I’m sure anything you build will be smaller than the prototype.
There are a number of photos of auto assembly plants in the book that Walthers published on the automobile industry, “America’s Driving Force.” it is out of print but commonly seen at swap meets. The buildings all tend to be enormous – not just deeper than a normal layout can replicate, but longer as well, and rather generic. For modern plants the general look is that of the Pikestuff “modern” steel structures. I recall an article or series of articles by Jim Hediger in MR (May and June 1997) where he mentioned the common colors used by the car makers for their plants.
Dave Nelson
If you go on google earth searh for framingham ma. There is an old GM Plant (now adesa auctions) that is in its origional configuration more or less. All the old yard track with the exception of the tracks going directly to the plant are still there and on google earth. You can also retrace where the old track into the plant were too. Once you get framingham on google earth your going to have to go a bit to the south east to find it. Its on Western Ave.
I was taking some pictures of the Arlington Texas plant and got really curious as to it’s size. I searched it on Google Earth and it is BIG! It’s a lot bigger than you can see from the roadway. If you like modern action it is a great place to watch.
RMax
The Saturn plant on the northern edge of Columbia, TN, is still there. Unfortunately, the side with rails adjacent is the side away from public roads.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)