I’ve gone through some search about steel grain bin. Looks like they were first introduced around 1893 at Chicago’s Columbia Exhibition… However, I can hardly find anything about their popularization.
My layout is set in 1957 and made to be also operated in the late 60’s. I’ve got a nice set of Walthers Steel grain bin laying on my shelves for year. I’m actually planning my Farmer’s cooperative and would like to reuse them with a modified wood grain elevator. I know a lot of old Coop in Quebec that still have the wooden elevator still standing with newer steel silo beside them. I guess much of them were added after the 70’s.
Would it be believeable to have them on a late 50’s layout? Farms were still using old wood, brick or concrete silos back then. Was it the same for the industrial plants? For sure, they would be shining brand new to show they’ve just been added for modernization.
Any input would be appreciated! BTW, saying it’s my layout and I can do anything I want won’t be enough!!! Just kidding, I already live by that precept too much!
(edit-not sure if your modeling the US or Canadian plains but…)
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Butler Manufacturing Company introduced its first galvanized steel grain bin in 1907. By 1938 research had proven the superiority of these bins over wooden ones, and the next year the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced its intention to receive bids on delivering 30,666 steel bins needed to store excess grain from a bumper crop. This order was one and a half times more bins than had been produced the previous year by the entire industry. Guaranteed bids had to be submitted within 30 days and delivered within just 60 days of receiving an order. Butler took on the challenge and, against phenomenal odds, refurbished an abandoned plant in Galesburg, Illinois, supplied it with machinery, staffed it, and mass-produced 14,500 steel bins in 59 days, plus another 6,000 bins in just 15 days. The seemingly unachievable became achievable through Norquist’s clear vision, the company’s adventurous commitment, and the efforts of hundreds of motivated people. The event was a spark that began to shape what Butler Manufacturing Company is today.
There is a facility here in Toledo, OH that has several steel grain bins/silos. The company originally was a flour mill and has changed hands several times over the years. It is now an alfalfa processing facility, but still has all of the original steel bins as well as additional newer steel bins. The largest bin on the 1905 map shows as 85,000 bu. The newer bins look to be the same diameter as the original bins, but taller by 1/3 in height. The original company is shown on 1905 Sandborn maps with the bin configuration that matches some of the tanks that are there today. The local public library has pictures of the same bins dated 1937, so I think you are safe using them for the '50s. The facility had a single rail spur that was serviced by the Manufacturer’s Railway (PRR). The original company was Taylor’s Peerless Flour Mills, which was followed by the Nortwestern Flour Mill. The last company, which still occupies the site is called Ohio Blenders Incorporated. This last company is not rail served any longer as the Mfg. Rwy. was abandoned in the early '60s by PC or Conrail (I can’t recall who was running then).
Thanks for your quick answers! I should have though about checking a manufacturer website! Grr, This habit to go seek for archival stuff is not always good!
Interesting to see some could be over 100 years old and still standing strong. Looks like they started to be a “common” sight just before to WWII, it would then be reasonnable to assume it would be normal to see them at a coop in the late 50’s.
@ Geared Steam: I’m not modeling the Prairies but a small rural town located in Quebec. In this particular area, most farmer’s cooperatives had (have) a typical single prairie-style elevator with sheds and warehouse extending from both side. They are commonly coupled with a builder supplies store and a farm implements dealer. Most grain service has been centralized in larger regional elevators over the last decade, however, those still in service have a row of two or three steel bins. The original elevator is usually kept but converted to another use. My prototype still have the old elevator but lost its rail service 30 years ago. At least, my Walthers bin will be put in good use.
Can’t say of my own knowledge about Canadian practice, but I can say that I saw steel grain bins alongside of (and fed from) an older wood elevator in the very early sixties in, IIRC, New Braunfels, TX. And those bins were NOT new!
There were two distinctly different flavors, Some were fairly tall and slender, while others were built wide and fairly low to the ground. The squatty ones were farther from the elevator.
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