Howdy, Stranger!
It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!
Categories
- 967 All Categories
- 3 Picture Posting and Resizing
- 56 New Member Introductions
- 118 Off-Topic Forum
- 4 Photography
- 2 Resources
- 16 New Product Information
- 167 The SierraWest Forum
- 9 Brett's Blog
- 119 General News & Ramblings
- 3 Re-Release Information
- 6 Q & A about SierraWest
- 9 What Would You Like to See?
- 393 Builds
- 143 HO Scale Builds
- 171 O Scale Builds
- 60 Finished SW Build Pics
- 14 Miscellaneous Builds
- 190 Techniques
- 19 Working with Wood
- 20 Painting Castings
- 5 Masonry
- 23 Scenery
- 37 Tools and Supplies
- 21 Layout Planning & Building
- 40 Miscellaneous
- 24 Prototype Information
- 22 Reference and Research
HO/HOn3 the Wood Cutters Shack
Following my plan to build all the HO scale SierraWest Scale Models kits in the order they were released, reveals the next project...the Wood Cutters Shack. This Limited Edition kit #8087 was released December, 1999 and described by Brett as a "little gem of a kit" (taken from S.W. NEW! Issue Number Nine, more on that later). Now, despite being over 25 years old, continues to ooze that backwoods charm SWSM is famous for. The pilot model footprint of only 8"x4" was packed with wonderful details and fit right in with Brett's overall plan for the Deer Creek Land and Timber Co. "Millsite" (more on that later).
After mulling this project over I decided to make this diorama a tie cutters shack rather than that of a wood cutter. Reference photos were studied and I was intrigued by the workflow of a railroad tie production concept. Further discussions with Brett and our own Nick O. cemented the concept and created significant enthusiasm for the project. There will be some very interesting features that will put a significant twist on the original concept, further illustrating the versatility SWSM kits can provide the modeler. Keeping with tradition, this will not be a quick build despite the original 8"x4" footprint! There will be a significant change in topography, a noticeable increase in the diorama base size, several highly detailed mini-scenes, and the inclusion of another river...notice how I justify being a slow modeler by embellishing my reasoning with all this fluff!
More later...Ken
Comments
terry
Al, Ahh...you are very wise my friend!
A tie cutters shack should be an interesting variation of the wood cutters shack.
Looking forward to any links you come across for info or photos. I always learn something from following your builds here on the SWSM forum.
Here is a link to a RR tie cutting facility I came across: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Railroad_cars_with_stacks_of_railroad_ties_in_railyard,_at_a_railroad_tie_treating_plant_in_Somervell,_Texas,_March,_1909_(INDOCC_1619).jpg
Later, Dave S. Tucson, AZ
I thought it a nice twist on things Dave and appreciate your vote of confidence here. I saw a similar photo of the odd circular bins on the rail cars for creosote treatment. Messy business fooling around with creosote. Thanks for the link, very interesting shot.
Nice hearing from you Travis and glad to see you'll be following along.
One of the things I found most interesting was the way the ties were stacked on the flat cars for transport. They are held in place by banding with no stakes in pockets as a back up to hold them in place. Cutting the banding to unload that kind of load would have been a suicide mission.\
Later, Dave S. Tucson, AZ
Jerry
Hi Jerry, working on the walls of the main structure. Will have the first test wall done today. I always like to complete one entire wall to make sure I like the level of weathering for what I'm planning.
Appreciate the positive vibes on the project Robert! It is a very interesting workflow once one researches the topic a bit. I'm not modeling the treatment plant but may bend Brett's ear as this may make a nifty kit down the road. Between the cool pressure treatment vessels and the round bundles on the rail cars...what not to love modeling here!
Dave, I found this link with some nice photos: https://history.utah.gov/repository-item/tie-hacking-and-logging-sites-on-the-north-slope/
Thanks for the additional photos and info, They both show a bit more detail and one can see that the men working in those facilities got to go home for dinner after a day of work.
Later, Dave S. Tucson, AZ
The Woodcutters Shack, kit number 8087, was released December, 1999. This kit followed the Logging and Tractor Repair Shed, featured in my previous build, and set the stage for the next kit in the Deer Creek Land and Timber Co. series, the Machine Shop.
This kit was quite popular and sold out soon after as all SWSM kits are destined to do. The popularity, in part, was due to its small size which filled the need for just that right spot on the layout. The pilot diorama came in at 8"x4" and packed with wonderful details that SierraWest Scale Models is famous for. The kit was featured in the Nov/Dec 1999 issue of Narrow Gauge And Short Line Gazette (photo 1). This was followed by a full color half page ad in the Jan/Feb 2000 issue of the same magazine (photo 2).
(photo 1) Ad in the Nov/Dec 1999 issue of Narrow Gauge and Short Line Gazette
(photo 2) Follow-up ad in the Jan/Feb 2000 issue. Note the general nature of this ad for both the Wood Cutters Shack and the Backwoods Logging Cars.
I have been collecting all the available issues of "S.W. New!" which was an occasional publication from SWSMs featuring product and modeling news from SierraWest Scale Models. Special thanks to Nick Ogden for his kind additions to my collection, particularly issue Nine which featured the Wood Cutters Shack! (photo 3). This issue was a Special Millsite Issue in which Brett details his plans for the entire Deer Creek Land and Timber Co. Millsite layout. This plan was a detailed map of the layout of all the planned structures (including the Woodcutters Shack) and track for the Millsite complex.
(photo 3) S.W. New! Issue Number Nine featuring the Woodcutters Shack.
I did not search other publications from this time period for other ads as my stock of those magazines is quite limited. I do however have every issue of the NG&SG. The following two pictures are a couple I came across in other issues of NG&SG:
Side column add in the July/Aug 2000 issue of the Gazette for various SWSM kits including the Woodcutters Shack.
Ad in the May/June 2000 issue of the Gazette. This was from a company called Valley Model Trains that carried many of Brett's kits back in the day. In this same issue was a full page color ad for The Machine Shop which I will be building following the Wood Cutters Shack build featured here.
Back to the build...
Great fun seeing those old ads and the green newsletter! I remember all the hours spent prepping those at the kitchen table. My young kiddos (at the time) used to love to "help", hah! Post away, no problem from me.
Thanks much Brett for the kind words and your continued encouragement! I'm sure it's nice to see all that hard work on the publication is still a valued commodity. Really enjoy the history of your business and all the cool "memorabilia" associated with it.
Ken you gotta quit putting out your cigarettes on priceless memorabilia.
East wall of the tie cutters living quarters.
I enjoy making more work for myself of course. I decided to use scale 1x6 strip wood rather than the customary 2x6 due to the amount of exposed edges of the wood. The 1x6 is more in scale from a side on view. I had to be very careful in the graining process as 1x6 does not hold up well to aggressive weathering with a wire brush. Scale 2x4s were placed strategically when I did the framing anywhere they would show. The remainder was done with 4x4s for strength. Places where the siding is missing was backed with scale interior siding. Note the open space in the bottom left of the picture. This area is below the actual floor level and there are joist there, you just can't see them in the picture. Very shallow "crawl space" if you will. The reason to show this is I plan to have the structure on a gentle hillside with part of the sill on stone supports, thus putting this area in view. Also note the interior boards that show through are darker representing un-weathered wood versus the exposed siding. In addition, the vertical corner trim is not a 4x4 but a piece of 1x6, again due to the exposed weathering I opted for actual scale trim...fiddly?...for sure, as it has to overhang just a smidge to line up with the other piece on the adjoining wall.
Stripwood was stained with AI then lighted to a weathered light gray with a coat of Ammo by mig Old Wood. As soon as the acrylic "Old Wood" was brushed on I ran it through my fingers to remove any excess. Once dry, wet brushed with white craft paint for highlights. Each individual board was cut, detailed, and butted up against the vertical trim. The darker upper portion of the wall had an additional light coat of AI to highlight it and give it a slightly less exposed appearance. Remnants of tar paper is tissue paper painted black. The darker upper area helps to break up the wall and along with the old tar paper just adds visual interest. Why is it there?...not sure, just thought it looked cool! Brett's laser cut window was trimmed out in scale strip wood and on to the next wall...
For additional visual interest on this rather small building, I decided to add a stone chimney. This was seen in a number of reference photos.
West wall with stone chimney installed along side it's congener.
A couple of issues made this a bit fiddly again. I wanted the siding to but against the chimney rather than siding the whole wall then just glueing the chimney to it. This will give a more realistic appearance. As mentioned previously, the slope of the ground will render part of the building resting on short stone pillars. As a result I need the chimney footing to extend below the bottom of the sill to appear it sitting on its foundation once planted in the diorama. This will create a minor issue when gluing the walls together, but not to worry. I also wanted the chimney set back towards the structure slightly at the roof line. This gives the illusion that the chimney was put on before the siding as it would have. The following picture shows this minor set back.
Note the minor set back. Very fiddly putting in those tiny pieces of siding along the chimney! The plaster chimney was primed with grey primer from a rattle can. Once dry, the stones were painted with various color shades, within a restricted color range, with chalk and alcohol and oils. On to the other walls...
This guy is going to get some lovin! Brett's masterful 3D printed Farmall Regular. This will likely be included in one of my scenes. Note the Farmall label in the box.
Back to the bench!
Thanks Travis. Right, they don't take much abuse before giving up! The chimney in the pictures looks a bit overbearing but it will melt right in with the roof and walls together.
"decided on a well worn but usable structure. " Well worn it is Ken, but oh so beautiful !!
Color and structure of the wood are super. Love it !!
I'm not sure if I like the chimney, I find it much to course and it looks like it's gone fall to pieces and crumble any time. But hey, that's the casting, and like you said, when everything comes together, it will go up in the rest of the build/scenery.
I do know right now already that this will be a very nice 'Ken' masterpiece... Will be watching you !!!