Sunday, May 8, 2016

TO C OR NOT TO C

           BINIGUY C DEPOT SHOWING THE EASTERN END OF THE STRUCTURE.

Most people don't realise Shakespeare was an avid NSW  modeller .And was perplexed with the age old question of what type of silo to model.Although he was more transfixed with the B style type.
I have the same problem .
Well with modelling MUNGINDI and all ,and with 2.1 mtr modules and very flat terrain the need for some way of hiding the back board becomes increasingly difficult .
I have always been impressed with the vast size of some wheat silos in these small towns and so I have been doing a lot of head modelling.A past time where you go through all the possibilities and different ways you can create the desired scene in your head.This way no one gets hurt.
Some people never progress past this point!
So with tape in hand and a stop on a work trip the silo at BINIGUY was measured up.
This silo was constructed in 1965 as a C depot of 40,900 Tonnes capacity. NORTH STAR has the same silo but with some variations .
Once back home the calculations revealed if a half width by full length model was produced to hide the back board I would need a base board 400mm x 2.1 mtrs long .Which would be good as the modules are 2.1 mtrs long.

                                             BASE BOARD ON LAYOUT MODULE
Station area is to the left of board .But board will be moved by 1 third to the right t create more station room


A board was cut and then after a lot of shuffling  around with the structures I wanted to be at MUNGINDI it was discovered that the silo would have to be in 2 sections 2 thirds  on 1 baseboard the other third on the next ,to allow enough room for the station building.Which meant moving the bridge further south (which is also 2.1 mtrs long)
That,s why I never plan any thing in to much detail as a well drawn plan doesn't always translate to a ideal modelling proposition.
So the other good thing about a C depot is its a lot of the same sections repeated.So a master was made for the side scalloped concrete walls complete with down pipes and cast up.A 3 bay section was made although the silo is made in thirds with an different number of sections per third .The castings where cut and shut to suit.

                                             2 CAST SECTIONS JOINED TOGETHER



The profiles where cut from Custom wood.Here showing the ridge line peak and the elevator tower with louver sections cut out awaiting the casting for these.A wheat wagon gives an impression of the size
Although the wheat siding  track is actually out from the board.The trucks run along the side of the silo to access the receival shed on the side of the silo in front of the elevator.



                                                                        WESTERN END



























                                                                  ELEVATOR END

              


                         ELEVATOR WITH CONCRETE EFFECT BEFORE  PAINTING



                                     GIANT DOG GUARDS SILO FROM ALIENS






                                         TRUCK IN RECIEVALS SHED FRAME WORK



                                    MAIN SILO ENTRY DOORS ON ELEVATOR END



                   LOUVER CASTINGS IN PLACE WITH CONCRETE EFFECT ON PART OF WALL


                             FROM ELEVATOR END SHOWING ROOF PROFILE SUPPORTS

ROOF SUPPORT SHEETING IN PLACE


                                                          WESTERN END WITH ROOF ON



   
                   ELEVATOR END WITH MOST OF ROOF ON AND CONCRETE EFFECT



                                                         WESTERN END OF SILO     




                                            ALIGNMENT METHOD FOR THE 2 SECTIONS


                        VENTILATOR FANS WITH SUPPORT AND ELECTRIC CONDUIT
I have finished painting the silo now but will wait until i have the recievals shed finished to show this.

10 comments:

  1. Rohan, now that's an impressive structure!!!

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  2. Maybe you need 1 for WILLOW TREE

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  3. Brilliant work Rohan. This really does emphasize the size and extent of these structures. It looks as though it will dominate the layout, just as well you built it in part relief.
    A comment on the 'concrete effect', the real structures were built using slip forming and/or ply/steel formwork. The resulting finish was quite smooth. The effect you have applied gives a result similar to shotcrete, used in rockwork and not typical of an 'off-form' finish, such as would be expected on the elevator tower. Hopefully a matt paint finish will tone down the roughness.
    Well done mate.

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  4. The silos construction gives 2 very different finishes to the concrete.The base or scalloped sections do have a very good smooth finish as with a vibrated pour using form work.
    But the elevator has a very ruff and e regular surface, and what looks like a poor standard of construction and finish compared with the lower sections.With different finished surface textures throughout.
    The form work lines are visible,with different colours from different batches of concrete.To the extent that it looks like a render coat was applied to try to fix up imperfections.
    I may have it over done a bit but this is a very visible feature of the silo in real life

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  5. Rohan

    Wow! Amazing work, you don't do things by halves!

    No, that's done by thirds.

    Ray P

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  6. I need one of these for my North Star silos, any chance of getting some of those castings and dimensions!

    Very good to see something other than an S00** Silo!

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  7. I need one of these for my North Star silos, any chance of getting some of those castings and dimensions!

    Very good to see something other than an S00** Silo!

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    Replies
    1. Yes,Yes, alright settle down

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    2. would you be attending the New England Model railway Convention in Armidale.
      On Nov 11-13
      If so the dimensions and model would be readily available to your good self plus how to obtain said castings.

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    3. Yes I am hoping to attend the convention. Just not sure of my work schedule at this stage so I haven't booked in. I will have friends there though if I don't make it. Feel free to contact me at ben.dunlop@gearsmining.com if that is easier?

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