This thread was started in January 2025
baevans
After the shipyard, decided something physically smaller was in order.
I’ve started O’Neill’'s Fabrication. Since there are at least two excellent blow by blow build logs, I’m going to omit most details well covered in those and the manual, and post progress to obtain feedback about whether I’m on the right course and solicit suggestions as appropriate.
After all the requisite preparation including the new to me wood strip painting on the main building, here is the first wall:
I like the new window and door framing.
Comments
TravisS
January 2025
Looking great Bruce! Did you use the recommended paint color for the trim?
baevans
January 2025
Yes. Ivory white. I had my doubts but the blue-green is inset framing the door/window cut out with only the thin edge showing to straight ahead view. Looks good and doesn’t provide an unsettling contrast to the weathered exterior.
Jerry
January 2025
Nice looking wall!
Jerry
Robert.G
January 2025
Great start on a fantastic kit !!!
admin
January 2025
Wonderful start! Weathering and coloration is perfect.
TravisS
January 2025
baevans said:
Yes. Ivory white. I had my doubts but the blue-green is inset framing the door/window cut out with only the thin edge showing to straight ahead view. Looks good and doesn’t provide an unsettling contrast to the weathered exterior.
It really does look good.
TomMich
January 2025
Great work on the peeling paint effect.
Karl.A
January 2025
Great looking start, very nice effects.
baevans
January 2025
Not moving really fast as I’m only spending a couple of hours most days.
Anyway, here are the 4 walls of the main building. I have to flatten a couple of them, then start on the windows and doors.
I’m pleased with the look so far.
TomMich
January 2025
You should be pleased the walls are very nice.
TravisS
January 2025
It’s not the speed of the build but the quality of the end result and yours is shaping up really nicely. Walls look great.
Did you try bracing the walls with 1/8” square stock or similar? I usually do even when not called for as I am a nervous Nellie about warping.
MuddyCreekRR
January 2025
Looking Nice…
baevans
January 2025
Yeah I think I’ll add bracing to deal both the warping
baevans
January 2025
Added the doors and windows to the walls.
The clapboard addition is next.
Karl.A
January 2025
Really great looking progress, the chipped doors fit nicely with the wall effects.
Robert.G
January 2025
Nice walls !!
Joel
January 2025
I really like the faded peeling paint effect
geoawelch
January 2025
You’re off to a fantastic start
baevans
February 2025
Just put the 4 walls together.
geoawelch
February 2025
Looking great.
TomMich
February 2025
Coming along nicely!
Robert.G
February 2025
My thoughts as well !!!
admin
February 2025
Outstanding! Enjoying watching your build come together.
baevans
February 2025
Despite using every appropriate scrap I ran out of clapboard siding strips and could only finish 3 of the tower walls. While awaiting resupply from Brett (Thanks) I did as much as I could do with the other 3. Expect my supply arriving Tuesday and then I can move on.
baevans
February 2025
Tower done now; checking the look.
TomMich
February 2025
The look is very nice!
baevans
February 2025 edited February 2025
Finished up ;the main building last night.
No real problems, although I think I’d add the loading dock overhang AFTER putting on the roof and placing the raft tails, because it was hard to place them into the dark slot between the overhang and the roof.
baevans
February 2025
ALCO
February 2025
Graining, staining, and workmanship look great!
Robert.G
February 2025
Nice work !!
geoawelch
February 2025
Nice seeing it take shape. Would love to see more straight on views vs. birds eye.
Joel
February 2025
Wow that’s coming together so quickly. Can’t wait to see the details added.
baevans
February 2025
views as requested:
sdrees
February 2025
Very well done
geoawelch
February 2025
Awesome progress; thanks for the side view. You’ve done a fantastic job here.
Robert.G
February 2025
Nice work, but try to get the miters together. I know, photos reveil everything… 
baevans
March 2025
Still waiting for a few bits for the front wall of the welding shop, but meanwhile moving ahead. Here are four views of the current state of the model placed on the base plot outline. The welding shop roof is just resting in place, not glued of course at this point.
baevans
March 2025
Worked on the drive-thru support and canopy, the tower porch, the tank truss and the oil tank.
Placed them temporally on the plan to get a look:
Jerry
March 2025
Very nice!!
Jerry
ALCO
March 2025
Ah, the memories! Great kit and you’re doing a really nice job with it. Coming together great. Awaiting the next steps!
admin
March 2025
Outstanding, everything is looking great!
Karl.A
March 2025
What a great kit,
Your structures are looking fantastic, really nice work so far.
geoawelch
March 2025
Looks quite splendid.
baevans
April 2025
Applied base terrain with another layer of “forest floor” around the site for the welding shop. Glued welding shop down and place the rail ties as well.
Now figuring out the gravel road layout and the best way to create the ruts. I can’t finish the initial work on the roads until my grey fine ballast arrives. I can’t find my leftover from the shipyard project so I’m in a bit of a slowdown.
baevans
April 2025
Finished oil tank and related stuff placement, then the roads and the rails for the tracks, as well as a bit of work on the scenic base for most of the areas.
Robert.G
April 2025
This all looks very nice !! Well done
Karl.A
April 2025
The structure looks really well done, great effects with the peeling paint and aged boards.
TravisS
April 2025
Coming along very nicely
baevans
May 2025
Thanks for the comments!
Well, I’ve got a few details to paint now…
TomMich
May 2025
The fun part! Working with all those wonderful details!
baevans
May 2025
Finished the details on the tank side. Finished the welding shop loading dock details and placed them to check but haven’t glued them in place or worked with the terrain there.
Robert.G
May 2025
Nice presentation !!
TomMich
May 2025
Nicely done!
Jim M
May 2025
Great job all around. I like the fence.
baevans
May 2025
Finished the details for the front view of welding shop and the scrapyard.
TomMich
May 2025 edited May 2025
Nice placement of the details. I especially like the workbench and fence on the left side. Nice addition.
Dwaine46
May 2025
Good work, I really like the fencing, is a great idea. Also like the table with all the junk piled on it.
MuddyCreekRR
May 2025
Looking really good…
baevans
May 2025
Finished details for the loading dock and burn area today!
Tomorrow on to finishing the welding shop, beginning with the interior details.
This has really been fun.
admin
May 2025
Great job, love the weathering and overall feel you have created!
baevans
May 2025
Worked most of today - those cluttered tables and shelves do take time - and finished the welding shop interior. Start on the roof tomorrow.
ALCO
May 2025
Looks like time was well spent. Love that ground-level pic.
Kevin L
May 2025
Looks great.
baevans
May 2025
Too bad that they’re kind of in the dark!
baevans
May 2025
Essentially done now. I will be adding some people and a truck filled with oil cans for recycling once I get my truck kit.
sdrees
May 2025
Nice job!
TomMich
May 2025
Turned out very well. Nice work!
Dwaine46
May 2025
Love the placement of everything on the dock.
baevans
May 2025
Here is the Fabrication on display next to my Shipyard. I have an old time tank car to dirty up and put on the track, and at some point will add a truck bringing in cans of used oil to the drive trough.
I made up a little explanatory booklet for each. These models are in display cases because visitors always want to touch - especially grandkids.
Robert.G
June 2025
This is becoming the Sierra West Museum.. Nice work !
ALCO
June 2025
Do you make your own display cases?
baevans
June 2025
No I don’t make them. As they get larger - the shipyard - they are kinda pricey but after tha investment in $ and nearly a years time the protection is worth it to me. If anyone is interested in where I got them PM me and I’ll let you know.
baevans
August 2025
Last update
Received my truck kit and added it to the diorama. He’s picked up a couple new acetylene tanks and is now heading to drop off some used oil.
ALCO
August 2025
Great addition!
TravisS
August 2025
She looks right at home.
gavin.hall
August 2025
Such an amazing build. Thank you for sharing. So many details and nice touches.
admin
August 2025
Great addition to an awesome diorama!