HO/HOn3 The Machine Shop at Deer Creek By: Ken Karns (aka Dr. Grunge)

HO Scale Builds
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Featured here is my build of SierraWest Scale Models “The Machine Shop at Deer Creek”. To reiterate my methodology in choosing this project, I am building every HO/HOn3 scale kit from SWSMs in the order in which they were released beginning with Brett’s first release, The BlueSky Company Warehouse. The Machine Shop was Brett’s eight kit release and debuted in March 2000. The Machine Shop at Deer Creek was a limited run kit with just 400 produced and obviously sold out soon after. A full color ad was featured in the May/June issue of Narrow Gauge and Short Line Gazette (see below).

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(Full page color ad in the May/June 2000 issue of NG&SG. Address and email not current so please disregard)

As with all SierraWest kits, this one just oozes that backwoods charm and character. My SWSM reference collection includes a copy of issue number 10 of “S.W. New!” Product and Modeling News from SierraWest Scale Models in which the Machine Shop was featured. I thank Nick Ogden for sending me a selection of the "S.W. New! "publications, including this one!

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(The cover of Issue 10 of “S.W. New!”)

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(Inside the issue featuring views of the expertly prepared pilot model.)

In addition to the newsletter I also have a copy of the Machine Shop at Deer Creek Reservation Form. I love to research the back story and acquire all information I can secure before starting a SWSM kit project. The search and research is part of the enjoyment of the hobby!

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(SWSM Registration Form for The Machine Shop Kit release)

I also searched and color printed both the Manual Supplement pages and the pages from the Photo Albums.

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Next up…I start the build project. More later…Ken

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How disappointing, I thought you would dive straight in and show us what you have done so far! Still, the pre-amble was interesting and I am glad you have made use of some of the old SW News letters I sent you. They really were inspiring at a time before the internet took over. Every so often I get mine out to relive the old days .
Tonight I spent time glueing lots of railroad ties together to make a couple of stacks of new ties. This is a gentle way easing into starting the tie mill kit.
Nick

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Hey Nick,

I want to have the three framed walls of the main structure done before posting the first steps in order to get ahead just a bit. The front stone wall is roughed out with a few final details to add later once the walls are glued together. I’m on the last framed wall so should be posting actual build pics in a week or so. Nice to hear you’re working on the Tie Mill and look forward to seeing what you come up with.