The Tonopah and Tidewater RR had a small simple depot at Death Valley Junction with a baggage door on the left, a bay window in the middle and a door on the right. It had a hip roof and vertical board and batten siding. It looks like hundreds of other small town depots. (As a historical note, after the railroad was abandoned, it was moved to Lathop Wells and used as a brothel).
Much to my amazement I can find hundreds of passenger depot kits of this approximate size and configuration but none with both a hip roof and board and batten siding. Almost all the kits I have found on the internet have conventional horizontal siding of various kinds. I know I can scratch build it and that is probably what I will end up doing. However, some kind of kit as a starting point would be a time saver. Any suggestions? - Nevin
Sorry, don’t know of any, but to help others who might know of a kit that will make a good starting point for you, here is a link to a web page that has a picture of the depot he is talking about (scroll down a bit):
That’s it! The fourth picture down shows it after they added the shade awning. The sixth picture down shows it as built. You would think there would be a 1/2 dozen laser cut kits that would resemble that depot. - Nevin
I have nothing to contribute to this thread, but would sure love to see some pictures if you build a replica of the storied T&T RR.
Just in case you didn’t see it (and are interested), the most interesting and detailed account of the history of T&T’s Crucero junction with UP appeared in Vol. 13, No. 3, of the UP Historical Society’s magazine, The Streamliner. That back issue is still available from UPHS.
I know, Terry, the shays seldom get down to the turntable. They live in another world. When Larry finishes his trestle, it will be a good run, but for now they are not connected. The larger locos use the TT at present.
Once I get a few more things finished, I’ll post some photos. I’m modeling from Death Valley Junction to the Lila C mine at old Ryan before the DVRR was built. Modeler’s license will put a few more mines in the area than was really there. I am using modified Bachmann Spectrum 4-6-0’s and Roundhouse 2-8-0’s to represent the engines. Probably more LV&T and BG RR equipment will run on this branch than in reality. Even a V&T car is going to show up once in a while. - Nevin
For something simple & rustic looking, have you looked at the old AHM / IHC Rural Passenger Station kit? It is a snap fit kit and with a little kit bashing (two kits required), I think you could make something that looks similar to what you are looking for with a minimum of difficulty.
The second kit would provide the other parts for the hip roof. I’d cut them out of paper first to test for fit but it should be a pretty easy task. Then the only thing left would be to cut down the peaked walls to match the longer side walls. The kit is rather rustic looking so that might fit your theme as well.
That one from IHC is the closest I have seen. I could easily build a new roof for it. I wish it was wood though. I may buy it just for the bay window. - Nevin
I have one on my layout. I shortened it by one “section” between the roof braces just to give it a little smaller look. Probably shortening the roof a corresponding amount was probably the hardest part.
Get two of them; use the roof from the second one to cut the extra roof sections for the first one. Then if you wanted to, you could build the roof for the second one… then you would have two to choose from to see which one you liked best. Just a thought…
