Hott steam pump company installed

I have finally installed the Hott Steam Pump company on the layout at a corner of the layout extension.  I built a wood fence at the corner and put some junk detail inside the fence along with some scenery.  There are a lot of signs on the fence to spiff it up.

I built this factory a long time ago but could not decide where to install it.

In the view above you can see the details inside the fence area as well as the steep drop of the edge of the layout.

As you can see above, the front wall of the factory is removable so you can see the details inside.

I am still trying to decide what structure to build next.  I have built so many things it is hard to come up with something new.

Shovel company model complete

I have completed the shovel company model, although I will probably add more details as time goes on.  I am not yet sure where I will install it.  I made the three structures with different siding for variety.

When I install this, the surrounding scenery will likely change the appearance to some extent.  I also am looking for more signs to add.

Shovel factory warehouse

I have completed the warehouse for the shovel factory.  It was relatively easy but I built a mobile lift that took way more time than I thought it would.  The warehouse has vertical wood siding and is attached to the factory building.

The warehouse is a two story structure with a deck that will probably be rail side.  The upper open door has a hoist and a figure inside holding a control cable (not visible in this view).  On the deck is the mobile lift,  a pallet of material ready to be hoisted up to the second floor,  and a bundle of shovels next to the lower door.

Above is the factory building showing the other side of the warehouse.  The is a door from the warehouse to the factory roof and a ladder up to the warehouse roof.   The next building will be the office located to the right of the warehouse.

Above is an image of an old Tiering lifting truck.  I found it somewhat difficult to build a model of this due to all of the small details and my shaky hands.

Above is my model of the lift with an operator on the rear platform.  It is mostly wood with a plastic wheel frame.  My model is not exact but close enough for me.

Railway Express Agency Truck

I have built a Sylvan Scale Models Railway Express Agency truck model.  Their models are good and they have some appropriate to my era.  The decals work well and slide off their base almost instantly after being wet.  Their truck wheels have actual rubber tires.  They are plastic castings.

Below are some interesting railroad rolling stock.

Above is a rather dilapidated Lehigh & Hudson River caboose that I photographed on one of my railroad tours.

And above is an old style flat car with a load of boilers.  That would make for a neat model.

As for the shovel factory, I am mid-way through constructing the warehouse structure.

Shovel factory building complete

I have completed the first of the three factory buildings - the factory itself.  I modeled interior details which as usual are not very visible with the roof on, but you can see some due to the wide main door and large windows.  Also, I enjoy modeling interior details.  Some of the details are from a plastic machinery  detail kit and the others scratch built.

Above you can see an overall view of the interior before the roof was added.

Above is a view of the interior from another angle.  The center rear door is an entrance to the warehouse which will be attached and is the next model I will be constructing.  I made some metal sheets from paper painted silver - one is on the table and others are in the cart by the rear door.  The metal is material for constructing the shovels.  The shelves to the right rear were made from card stock and stuffed with "junk".

This view shows the factory with roof and furnace stack added, as well as an exterior oil tank.  You can see the furnace at the rear in the first interior view.  It was made form wood and paper scraps.

In this view you can see a few interior details inside the door.  I will probably add open wood doors at each side of the door opening.