Hello Gang. Long time no post. After several months, I’ve begun layout work in earnest. But that’s not why I’m posting today. (I’ll do an update on layout progress later)
I recently went to a train swap here in Western NY and picked up a couple of structure kits. One of them is a California Model Co (which I believe is long defunct) Sawmill Kit#11. The instructions call for soldering all the tin pieces together. Now, I don’t have a problem with this but was wondering if CA would work just as well. I’m basing this on the assumption that when this kit was made, CA was not prolific in the hobby world yet. Whaddaya all think?
Paul
EDIT - What the instructions call for is to run a solder bead along multiple seams that are about 6-8" long in a corrugated tin type material. The best I can figure is that this kit was made in the early 80’s.
To be honest, I would have tried that anyway unless the voices of experience had put the kibosh on it. Thanks! Worse thing that can happen is it won’t stick.
I believe California Models took over the old Suydam line of structure kits, and that they are now made by Alpine Models(?). Last I saw, the structure kits were still in the Walters catalog.
they say memory is the second thing to go, but I can’t remember what the first thing is!
Thanks for the inspiriation. The kit you are working on is quite similar to the one I’m getting ready to undertake. What colors did you use for weathering?
I painted the building with a solvent flat Pullman Green. After it dried in a few days, I used water based acrylic enamel washes of rust & light tuscan oxide red. Then when that dried, I used an india ink-alcohol wash to bring out the corrugated metal and give it a even flat finish. This building will be used up against the back drop so no back wall. ( I used the back wall to double the length of the building) This building is the “American Chemical & Potash Co.” I also picked this up at one of my RR Clubs swap-meets with the “Buckhorn Mine Ore Plant” kit for $15.00 for the pair. Since these older kits have less detail and people think that you must know how to solder to put these kits together, they can sometime be purchased well under retail. I like to use lead weights to help hold parts down & keep square while gluing. Also whipe the metal down with a damp soapy cloth and the rinse with a clean damp cloth to get dirt, oil ect off before your paint. I’m getting ready to start a new layout, so I will wait till the track goes down and I can fit the building before I finish it off.
You can see on the track plan this will go in the upper left corner with one track inside & one on the outside. This will be a wharehouse for my Prestage Tool & Gear Co. complex.
I got my kit much the same way as you did, at a club swap here in Western NY. Since they happen mostly in the winter months, I wait all year for these swaps, many many good deals to be had. Prices are great and a nice chance to shake hands with fellow modelers.
I looked through your pictures, some fine work there. Having just taken the plunge, I am more and more appreciating the work that goes into the layout beyond the track and rolling stock. I’m looking forward to years of enjoyment.
