OK, OK…I know this is a little off-topic, but here goes:
I model rail-marine ops…the docks, the waterfront, the harbor. As a backdrop I want to build a pier shed, with depth compressed to make a “background” style building and behind it, to simulate a docked freighter, I want to build a portion of the ship’s superstructure and cargo booms to be visible above the shed’s roof. Here’s the request: can anyone point me to plans for the Laker class freighter, the well-known “tramp steamer” that’s been around since WWI? I know Sylvan sells a nice resin kit in HO, but I don’t want the whole ship!
Mainline Modeler magazine did a 4 part article on the Laker Class (called such as they were built on the Great Lakes and had to transit the Welland Canal to get to the ocean). You could look the articles up on the MR search guide and possibly buy them from MM in a hurry as they are getting rid of the old copies cheaply as they are out of business.
There are some great plans of an old freighter on the internet but I’m not sure if it would suit the exact “laker class” your looking for but it is what a tramp steamer looks like in my mind. Shes called the SS Semiramis
As a side note I’m also looking for the same thing but not as a back drop but as an actual 1:87 model for my future layout. I’ve seen the tramp steamer offered by sylvan but not only is it pricey but there is not much info on the actual model itself…any help??
Why not look for a sideview pcture of a ship.and print a scale.copy. Then you could position it to decide on the portion you want and use it as a pattern.
(Edited to reflect I answered the question of “lake freighter” as opposed to your question on “Laker-class” as opposed to Lake Freighters. Decided to leave it here in case you’re not settled on Seattle, etc.)
Tramp steamers weren’t as common on the Great Lakes. Lake freighters had a very distict design with the engine house at the rear, pilot house at the front, and cargo holds between. Ore boats, bulk carriers, etc. all followed this general design, which was pretty much solidified as a practice by the beginning of the 1900’s. Ore boats did occassionally make the trips out the St. Lawrence and into the oceans during WWII.
If you’re looking for a Great Lakes ore freighter and anywhere near Cleveland check out the William Mather. It’s currently being used as a floating museum. I’m pretty sure they have a webiste and it may have plans for the ship or at least some diagrams and photos you can use.
Being one of the smaller ore ships it may be easier to scale down for modeling. Plus you can get a guided tour. Note: I beieve some of the rigging may have been removed due to overhead clearance restrictions caused by a nearby airport.
Also, after touring the Mather, catch a river cruise on the Goodtime to see things like lift bridges and other rail marine interfaces (too bad they took down the Hullet unloaders) Or stop at the Rock Hall.
The Great Lakes Historical Society (www.inlandseas.org) has a museum/library with a large number of ship plans of various kinds. They don’t appear to be available online, so far as I can tell, but a catalog of their holdings is available and you could contact them to find out how to view the plans or get copies.