Tom's Trucking

This model has been awaiting its day on the workbench far too long.

The structure is a well-built Fine Scale Miniatures Truck Terminal.  It was built for the Calapooya Pacific, Tom Gates' magnificent model railroad near my hometown in central Florida.  The kit came on the scene in 1971; I'm not sure when it was built.  Next it was owned by the Ocala Model Railroaders who dismantled and stored the CP, and now it resides in my collection, courtesy of that same club.  To say the Calapooya Pacific was an influence on my development as a model railroader is an understatement.  Hence, this model will get special treatment and occupy a piece of prime real estate on the Pine Branch Park layout.

Note the loading dock and its roof - both hanging in the air!  The roof needs two posts and piers, though I may give it three since I think that might look better.  The dock needs legs and stairs.  I've got the stairs and some of the leg and bracing material though I'm missing the posts and piers for the roof.  There are two chimneys and I've got those as well.  However the real challenge will be the gutters.  All four corners have significant damage and are missing material.  

Fortunately I've got some FSM gutter stock laying around.  A while back I stumbled across an eBay listing for the two stall engine house - minus the box and instructions but otherwise complete.  On both that structure and this one George (Sellios) instructs the modeler to put gutters on the rakes.  This isn't a very common feature, at least not that I've ever seen.  There weren't any included on this structure and I'm not going to put them on the engine house which makes them available for use here to repair the eave troughs.  By the way, I didn't know what a roof rake was until I began researching that design element.  Yet one more way this hobby rewards the modeler who is willing to learn new things.

Here's Tom's Trucking in place on the Calapooya Pacific from the May 1981 Model Railroader magazine, page 56.  The structure is on the far left just behind the locomotive.

I've been careful not to attribute the structure to Gates himself, as the article from which this photo comes - written by Gates - mentions that many of the Fine Scale (Miniatures) structures were built by Pat Ford.  "She is a master structures builder and has won many awards in the NMRA Sunshine Region contests.  All of the buildings and structures are modeled to reflect heavy use through weathering and apparent repairs."  So, my repairs will not look out of place if I don't get the coloration dead on matched.  Good to know.

I'm in no hurry to finish this as life has thrown some curve balls at me and I'm juggling them as I catch them.  But that's also important, taking my time that is, to honor this structure's heritage and do the best job I can.  Results will be shared when ready.

Geissel Got It

Recently my attention was directed once more to the Chester Valley Railroad of J. Harold Geissel. This was the “Layout of the Month” in the November 1939 Model Railroader. That original article wasn't the starting point this time around, rather, it was the article by editor Russ Larson exactly 30 years later in the November 1969 issue. “What makes an outstanding layout?” asks the title. The author answers in the text below:

“I feel the basic ingredients for a good layout are:

• A good track plan

• Authentic structures
• Attention to scenic detail
• Realistic operation, including the selection of rolling stock
  

The final product must be judged, at least partially, on how well the modeler blends these basic ingredients together. It also takes an intangible something extra. To create an outstanding layout you must, I believe, go beyond what is commonly done and develop something better in at least one of these basic layout qualities.”

Note he begins by describing what makes a “good” layout before leading the reader to the answer to his question, what makes that layout “outstanding”.  I appreciate his points and think they're not bad at all.  And yet...

I think he missed one crucial ingredient; the concept.

Oh yes, this is one of those contrary articles in which I espouse my fervent belief that the concept and the plan are distinctly different elements. What Larson missed is what Geissel explicitly stated in his article from August 1939. (The November “Layout of the Month” article shows the track plan which was reprinted in Larson's article while the August '39 article is by Geissel himself and includes photos, also reprinted in '69.) Quote:

“The Chester Valley is now in its third location as an operating layout. While the basic idea carries along without change, each layout has been different; the track plan has been simplified, curve radii have been increased, and real railroad practice has been followed more closely." p.386

Sorry Uncle Russ, but it all boils down to the "basic idea", i.e., the concept.  Geissel's article begins with a description of his rationale for choosing a short line - an idea that had remained with him since childhood.  Once a good concept takes root in your mind, grows, blooms and drops seed, it can be nigh impossible to dislodge, should that be desired (it most likely will not be).  How the concept is executed can change with income, location, skill, energy, etc. but a good idea - a good story - can call forth creativity for a lifetime, or at least until it has run its course and been successfully expressed.