Sunday, June 13, 2021

Blair Line General Store in O-Scale

Blair Line General Store in O-Scale

This post showcases a quick overview of the build of this kit for my good friend Doug Matheson. 

(Click on any image to enlarge it.  Then click outside the image to return to the default look of the page.)


The Blair Line General Store will make a healthy addition to the recent O-Scale diorama I am currently working on.


It will add another element to the Machine Shop diorama that will materialize in the near future.


Four independent dioramas will join to make a complete scene circa 1910.


No, the store has not been weathered as yet.


Here is the kit box with its picture on the cover.


The base has been painted as have been the walls.


For the false front, there is a supporting "inner wall" which offers greater stability.


The doors are "peel and stick" for ease of construction.


The protective covering.


I've painted the door sections with white and denim blue acrylics.


Coming together nicely.


In different lighting.


Because my friend, Doug, wishes the time period to be between 1910 and 1920, I had to take care in deciding which signs to use that came with the kit.  They mustn`t be for a product created later than 1920. 


The screen for the screen door is added to the adhesive on the backside of the door.


This will keep the bugs out!


Time for the windows.


They are now in.


The front of the store.


Support posts go in for the side walls.


My small C-clamps certainly do the trick for keeping sections in place while the glue sets.


I have sanded slightly the tabs that will fit into the front wall on these supports.


The supports and supporting posts are painted and in place.


My trusty weights will hold things in place as the glue sets.


Carpenter's Glue will be run across the roof section to adhere the roofing strips.


The front trim is now in place and awaits the top trim.


Coming along tickety-boo!


With the top trim now in place atop the false front, it's time to weather the roof.  Grey powders went down first, then black.


Looking good.


Here are the period signs I glued onto some old styrene.


Four of the five signs will be used to adorn the store walls.


The starboard side as seen from the perspective from a shopper inside the store.


The port side.


The bow.  (big grin!)


As seen outdoors.


The machine shop.


Some supporting elements to the scene.


This farm wagon and horse team from Berkshire Valley Models is one cool looking model!


Supporting details painted and weathered.


The Sierra West casting are `second to none` in my opinion.


Outdoor lighting is unforgiving as it will showcase any errors...but alas, not a one here!


Doug`s diagram showing the layout of the four dioramas incorporating the machine shop with its water tank, a team track, a station with platform and the general store with the main street running through the town.


The checker players are from Woodland Scenics.  I will weather them slightly.


That`s all for now.  


Thanks for checking in!
It's always nice to share with you!
All the best, Mike Hamer, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada