Washago coaling plant--step 7

Thanks to everyone who has sent emails or added comments to the various steps so far. Based on the response to date, it is apparent that a lot of modelers are following along, if not building.



It is now time to build the two supporting piers for the steel beams which span the coal hopper (and upon which the rails rest). I cast these wafer-like pieces in hydrocal, but you may wish to use another medium. Their height (9'-9 3/8") and width (7'-8") are shown on the sketch above; their thickness is 1'-6".



Using an old scrap of ceiling tile underneath, I pinned down strips of balsa, 1'-6" in height, as forms for the plaster. There is a sheet of light plastic wrap laid directly on top of the paper sketch.



When the plaster set, the forms were carefully removed. Then the pieces were rubbed against a piece of coarse sandpaper to smooth all six faces.



Using yellow carpenter's glue, affix the supports against the north and south walls, equi-distant between the track and conveyor side walls of the coal hopper. Note that these pieces are aligned with the short dimension horizontal, the long dimension vertical. Dial calipres are handy for positioning them dead centre.