I came across this gas station in Boissevain, Manitoba last week, and wanted to share it. It looks just like the gas stations from the 1930s that so many like to model. This one is still going, selling gas and repairing vehicles. The insides looked dark and dingy and very crowded. I should have taken a picture of the back too as it had a big rollup door that was open. I’ve seen many models of this type of gas station but this is the first real one I’ve ever seen.
Thanks for posting, Bob. I just love these sorts of pics!
You know, I think it would be sorta fun to start a thread with pictures of current and defunct prototype buildings, structures, and businesses - railroad and non-railroad related - that would give members a library of examples to draw upon for modeling purposes - albeit detailing, weathering, or scratch-building. Perhaps we could limit the posts to 2 or 3 pics max to keep the loading and viewing palatable for those who still have dial-up. A brief description and location of the structure would be most appropriate and helpful, as well.
Anyone else like this idea?
Tom
Sounds like a plan to me. I’ll bet there are a lot of modelers out there who have photos of old buildings that someone would like to model or that would fit right in to someone’s layout. I take photos of old buildings and grain elevators (they’re fast disappearing from the prairies) just because I like the look of them. Maybe some day I’ll model some of them. I’ve got a few grain elevators and decrepit buildings that I’ve photographed this summer if anyone’s interested.
Hi!
There’s old, and there’s OLD! I love the structures of the 20s & 30s, especially service stations. There are a couple I knew of that had the lifts located outside, and another few that had pits (for oil changing ease) located outside as well too! There was one called “Martins” located in Anna, Illinois on the corner of Grove and the main drag. It had all the original facilities from when it was built (mid 20s?) way on into the 60s. As a kid visiting my grandmother who lived on the end of Grove avenue - right across from the IC racetrack - I loved watching them work on cars out in the open. Grandmother passed away in '61, and the next time I came down in the '80s that gas station was “modernized”, which was a huge disappointment (not to mention that the IC removed 2 of their 4 tracks).
Sadly, like so many opportunities, I never took any pictures of something that I thought would always be there.
ENJOY,
Mobilman44
Bob,
That was my thought exactly. Whenever my wife and I drive through a town or the countryside, I’m always looking for new and additional ideas for my layout. I think it would be neat to have a repository or library - a “picture book”, as it were - of actual buildings and structures that others could use to model or glean ideas from.
My hope is that we get some really unique photos of things not often seen anymore, or which are still functional - even though they may not have changed much in the past 50 years or so. Perhaps a self-descriptive title for the thread would make it clear what its purpose is.
Tom
Good idea
Here a picture of a gas station in Jefferson Texas, It’s not selling gas but it is being preserved.
mobilman,
I don’t think we necessarily have to limit the thread to only “old” examples, although I do think the main thrust of the thread would benefit those modeling from the 80s on back. A 50 or 60 year old building or structure that has been “modernized” could easily serve as an example of how something can be updated and still retain its usefulness. To me that would be fair game. Bob’s gas station is a prime example of that.
Tom
Big Four Interlocking tower - Grafton, OH
Armstrong levers
Communication center
Tom
Hello this is a grate idea for a thread. I will get some shots up this weekend that will go nicely in here. I love those gas station’s to. Tom what is that on the stairs of the tower? Is this going to be the thread or will it be in the prototype forum? have a nice day Frank
I’ve been doing some back road shuffling and found some old, not so old and some really delapitated prototypes of various sorts—
A few—
When I said delapitated we’re not kidding—this’ll drive some of us weathering people nuts—
There are all kinds of possibilities for prototypical buildings. Grab the camera–start driving the back roads, get lost a few times and find all kindsa neat stuff—[:-,]
Frank,
The white “blob” in picture 1 is actually a plaster representation of a tower watchman, apparently looking to the west for any approaching trains.
As far as the thread, my thought was to have this as a separate thread and to put it here in the General Discussion forum. Anyone have a catchy name to put in the subject line?
Barry,
Nice photos! [tup] You’re are exactly right. Just wandering the back roads will yield all sorts of jewels.
Tom
Tom: Great photos of the interlocking tower. Question—was that the original supports for the building? I’ve seen one older one way back that had something along that line----
BTW–Old ROW
Coupled with an old elevator
Barry,
I just realized you’re directly on the other side of the lake from me. [:)][tup] Also, where were your pictures taken?
[Interjection: I think it would be helpful to those interested to know the location of the posted photos. If you don’t know the exact location (e.g. town name), a general location (nearby town or city) or whereabouts (region - e.g. NE Ohio) would suffice. AND…don’t forget to mention the state or province.]
Okay, to answer your question about the original supports for the interlocking tower: rail
Some of the support plates look new, with the rail welded perpendicularly and directly to the plate. Other support plates appear older (rusty) and are welded to rail “guides”, as well as to the support plates. (I don’t know what the correct name for them is.)
A couple of other pics. Here’s a slot where a set of armstrong lever rods come through the flooring of the tower:
Although you can’t see it, there’s a ~15’ piece of 4 x 10(?) that is braced to the front of the center supports and presses against the back of the vertical armstrong lever rods.
Lastly, this is the nearby small freight station:
There’s an AC unit on the opposite side. So it appears it’s being used for storage at the moment.
On the topic of titles for this thread, what do you think about “This Old Spot: A Modeler’s Library”?
Tom
That would work quite fine with this puppy[tup][swg]
The last post of mine was situated in Monkton ON—this is on highway 23 north of here— the elevator at this time is closed–has been closed for a few years now.
The ROW runs E-W through the town—we are going to check that area out a bit more before too long–want to see if there are still some areas that one can see the ROW.
Another thing we also get pix of–running elevators—anyone think you’ve seen one you seen them all are not really seeing them
of course old general stores–or rather—what is frequently seen–repurposed
A rare find indeed there Seamonster; these buildings may not, in themselves, be rare but many–perhaps even most–jusrisdictions would prohibit the dispensing of gasoline at a facility such as this one.
These type structures were very common in the '50s and '60s and many are still around, albeit no longer dispensing gasoline–instead they are used for antique shops, ceramic shops, tire repair shops, upholstery repair shops, etc.–I even encountered one at one time that was being used as a carry -out donut shop.
For those interested: The following thread has been created as per the earlier discussion on the topic:
This Old Spot: A Modeler’s Library
Tom