I am just getting back into my trains from when I was a kid. I recently set up my old trains for my nephew. He loved it. So did I. I decided to start a layout from scratch. Since I am older now I figured I would make my own scenery and buildings. Does anyone have good designs for sawmills and other scenery that goes with logging railroads from the 1800’s to early 1900’s? I have no idea what materials are best and I need some designs for buildings that go along with that era. Thanx to all.
Are you building the layout inside or out? If it is outside, what kind of weather do you get? Rainy, snowy, windy, etc. That will decide with material to use.
Hi Smitty,
A sawmill and logging camp are on my building to do list. A Google image search will provide lots of pictures of both for ideas. Cedar is my preferred wood for wood outdoor structures in most cases though I do use pressure tread pine for some things. Redwood is good too but is not common on the east coast.
D and G Depot (http://www.dandgdepot.com/) makes a nice basic sawmill structure kit for $48. I have yet to decide to buy it or copy it. Its under their EZ build series.
It looks like a good base for lots of detailing.
Logging camps have lots of fun stuff to model - bunk houses (many portable to be transported on flat cars), steam donkeys and other equiptment, log flumes, etc.
-Brian
The Narrow Gauge & Short Line Gazette is an excellent source for all kinds of scratchbuilding, and they’ve had tons of plans and other info about early sawmills.
Same link only activated