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This old WonderBoard test structure, built
in 2000, has been sitting right where it is in this picture for 8
years. When I originally assembled the thing to test the processes of
working with WonderBoard, I didn't really have a plan as to what it
would be or even how it would look. At that point, I didn't really care
because it was supposed to end up in the trash anyway. I let it sit
outside all that time just to see how it would hold up. Except for the
dirt splashed on by 8 years worth of rainstorms (which is SoCal means
"not many") it is none the worse for wear. I had some thoughts of
turning it into an auto repair shop or gas station but I didn't know
what I would do about the gas pumps and other equipment.
At the June 08 Big Train Show at
the Ontario Convention Center in California, I found this kit. It is
made in China by Tinstoys and
sold by Just Plain Folks. It is a 1930's vintage Tokheim type pump.
However, I haven't been able to find this model on their website. The
detail on the set is quite excellent, the text on the pump is fully
readable if you get close enough. The floor jack and compressor were
separate pieces also sold by Just Plain Folks. This was all I needed to
get my backside in gear and convert the test building into a gas
station.
The apron
in front of the original building was not big enough for the pumps and
a covered island so I elected to build the island structure on it's own
base with a 50's style roof sloping upward from the center. This is the
island under construction. The roof supports were made from strips of
WonderBoard assembled into H columns with RapidSet. These were then
attached to the base with more RapidSet. The roof was made as a
separate section in a V shape and the the base was fixtured to the roof
upside down to allow better access to apply yet more RapidSet to hold
the two parts together. The H columns also provide some additional
bracing for the central roof joint.
This is the
assembled pump island with the pumps themselves test fit in place. I
don't plan to leave the pumps out of doors so they will be a set piece
when needed.
The actual roof surface is covered with gravel in the same fashion as the building roof. This is just #5 crushed granite sorted through a 1/8" hardware cloth sieve to filter out the bigger pieces. A layer of RapidSet was applied to the roof before it was attached to the base and the gravel was spread on, wet down and pressed into the wet cement on the surface. The excess gravel was simply shaken off when the bonding cement had set up.
The two bay
garage had no place for a work area or office. I considered adding an
office to the side of the structure, but instead, I added a closed
garage door with a double wide access door attached to it. This will
simulate the small space needed for the station office and work
area.
The
completed gas station and garage is back out on the layout in more or
less it's final position. At some point, I'll also make a freestanding
sign. I'll build the road going by it later. However, I just realized
that I have no period vehicles at all that need gas or service. I'll
have to fix that.
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This page has been accessed times since 9 Jun 08.
© 2008 George Schreyer
Created 9 Jun 08
Last Updated June 9, 2008