Construction Update #10 - Redbanks Fruit Company, the Generic Warehouse & Roster Addition

Redbanks Fruit Company

January 28, 2025

Here is the Redbanks Fruit Company temporarily set in it's future location.  The structure still needs a roof along with additional detailing and weathering.  The Sunkist sign came from  a Micro Scale decal set.

The Redbanks Fruit Company sign was made using Excel.

A "Generic" Warehouse for East Redbanks

January 29, 2025

One of my favorites Walthers structure is the "Storage Shed on Pilings" kit #933-3529.  It is just about perfect for any era and could easily be found in both rural and urban settings.

 

I have used this nondescript structure on just about every layout I've built including the Sn3 narrow gauge Alaska Pacific layout and the HO Scale Madisonville Sub layout.  For the Madisonville Sub, I cut one down the center and situated if against the backdrop and next to a large elevator complex.

This is a very simple kit.  I started by cutting out the parts and cleaning up the casting sprues.  The legs were glued to the base and the four wall were assembled.  The parts are shown below ready for paint.

There are two orientations when it comes to position the warehouse on the layout.  I temporarily taped the roof on and positioned them as shown below.  I'm kind of leaning to the one on the right.

Here is another overall view of East Redbanks.

January 30, 2025

In less than 24 hours, the little warehouse is ready to go on the layout.  All the components were painted with Rust-Oleum sprays.  The siding was weathered with three colors of craft paints and the roof was weathered with powdered pigments.  All of the components were given a coat of Tamyia flat and the roof and doors were installed about 30 minutes later.  The base fit snugly within the four walls so it was not glued in place allowing access to the interior.

Once the completed model on the layout, it appeared to sit a little high off the ground.  At this point there were two options; cut down the legs or raise the surrounding terrain.  I decided on the latter.  I cut a piece of 1/8" thick sheet cork to go around the building and glued it in place.

Finishing up the Redbanks Fruit Company

February 2, 2025

The details were all assembled and painted before they were attached to the building.  All of the parts came from my "leftovers" bin.

The pre-cooler building with the roof and details added.  Detail placement is purely imagineering.

 

Weathering was done primarily with powdered pigments.  The pre-cooler building and packing house temporarily set in place next to the packing house on the layout.

Lighting

February 3, 2025

The lighting in the room will soon be improved.  Due to the lack of available light, without setting up floods, taking stills or videos has been a problem.  Originally I considered a valence and strip LED lighting but that idea has since given way to installing dimmable recessed LED can lighting in the ceiling.  The contractor should have the lights installed, positioned over the layout to avoid shadows, within the next week or two.   

Another addition to the Rooster

The Southern Pacific purchased 37 Alco RS-11s, including three demonstrators between 1956 and 1959.  The last six RS-11s delivered in 1959 were low hood units.  All the previously purchased units had high hoods.  The Rapido #2905 I purchased represents a short hood unit purchased in 1956.  It is equipped with DCC and LokSound.  While this model has a few minor detailing discrepancies, most notably the positioning of the cab window on the left side, it is in my opinion a big improvement over previously modeled versions.

As always, your comments, suggestions and questions are welcome

sdepolo@outlook.com