O Scale - Fuel Stand

[eTraxx]

I wanted to re-use a couple of scratchbuilt fuel tanks from an old Kitfororums diorama but then watched a FOS Scale Models Youtube video "Weather & Detail a Trackside Retaining Wall" which really made me want to do something . "like". Link is at the top of my blog article on my Fuel Stand

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I got to thinking about it and thought I could use the Fuel Tanks from an old Kitforums challenge and create a concrete stand .. platform .. have it with old rusty brackets and such so it would be obviously reusing the old concrete monstrosity to mount the fuel tanks.

I was thinking originally of having the stairs face to the buildings and away from the viewer. I may though change that and have them face the track .... or not.

[eTraxx]

Separate but Equal

I printed (am printing) in three pieces so I didn’t need any supports. I will simply super-glue the stairs to the main platform where blue colored (afterwards I glued a piece of wood to the inside of the vertical bit so the stairs would have something to align to)

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Printing

With the main body printed with the top against the print surface and the outside faces of the stairs also facing down, no supports were needed. This eliminates any need for supports and also gives a very smooth surface where they touch the build plate.

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Bracing

I could have printed bracing to the inside but that would have been a waste in material and time. It is easier just to brace with a couple pieces of dowel from Lowes.

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This is basically where the concrete base will go – the road behind limits where it can be placed. I show the steps facing the track. My intention was for them to face the other direction toward the road and buildings. The ground at the left end of the platform is about an inch (4 ft in O scale) above the road. I made the platform two inches tall so the plan is to sink it down to the road level in back meaning only about a foot would be visible next to the track. I will cut away the ground to do this and then see which way works better for the steps.

[railmus]

Steps should not be next to the tracks as a safety consideration.

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quote:

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Originally posted by railmus

Steps should not be next to the tracks as a safety consideration.

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Of course not. The reason for the length of the steps was to reach from the lower level which is on the far side. I was mostly .. at this point .. looking at the best place to put the darn thing. Too long I decided and cut one end off at where the step joins.

[eTraxx]

Shortened the base by one step length. Cut out the ground until the thing was level. The remaining step is hidden on the back right.



Spinning the base around 180° with the steps near the track .. c.1920 .. ish .. so safety may not be a big concern. It looks better.

[TRAINS1941]

Nice job Ed.

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quote:

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Originally posted by TRAINS1941

Nice job Ed.

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Thanks .. but early on still. Mostly for now just plotting how to place it. I can tell you that if I were to do this over (mean my layout) I would think about having a series of smaller modules that could be removed to work on with them on the workbench instead of straining over the layout.

[George_D]

Interesting platform, Ed. Looking forward to seeing how the tanks fit on it.

George

[eTraxx]

quote:

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Originally posted by George D

Interesting platform, Ed. Looking forward to seeing how the tanks fit on it.

George

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I think I will put them on a wooden support .. in the 'real world' (not that reality appeals) .. that would help with flow. Need to be higher than the highest loco by some amount. Secondly .. will just add to the scene .. which what I like.

[eTraxx]

Heavily weathered!!

The platform/base is where it will go. I won't merge scenery (mean fill in gaps) until I finish the thing. Next step is to build a wooden frame to support the fuel tanks.

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Next will be building a small wooden frame to support the fuel tanks a scale 12 ft above the base.

Now. Call me crazy .. and there's some truth to that. I created a jig I printed on my FDM printer to glue up the bents. You might say doing this for only 3 bens is nuts .. but I enjoy the 3D part of the modeling too .. so for me it is a win win.