Full Version: Tom’s 2010 Summer "Strickland Propane" Structure Challenge
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I have really enjoyed the challenges posted here on my favorite model railroad message board, and as much as I enjoyed them, for some reason or another, was always unable to participate. I logged in this morning over coffee as I usually do, and low and behold, another contest entry. I thought about it for a second or two and decided “This time, I’m in”. While I don’t think I have a snowball’s chance of winning against many (if any) of the outstanding entries posted thus far, I really don’t care about winning anything, as much as I look forward to enjoying building with you guys. So, off to the great expanse of the “interwebs” to look for a suitable structure to build, probably best from a kit, as I haven’t built anything structure wise in a while. Oh, and HAS to be something I can use on the layout, if and when I ever reclaim my garage from my businesses storage needs (anyone want to buy a pair of soda machines??) to put the layout back up again. I looked and pondered for over an hour at the Walthers “Merchant’s Row II” that I plan to incorporate on the old layout, but it was too easy, too common, and too quick. I thought about some O scale structures for my On30 layout that I have planned, but those require a LOT of wood scratchbuilding tools and supplies that I simply don’t have yet. I looked at some other HO structures I want to build, but either pricey, (being in business for yourself really sucks in this recession), hard to find, or too common and simple. I almost gave up while looking at photos of my layout and trying to decide when I noticed a lone propane tanker parked behind one of the structures while the driver ate lunch. AHA! That’s it! “Strickland Propane and Propane Accessories. Taste the meat, not the heat!”

After discussion over coffee with Alicia, and some input from her (why do women always want you to build houses, churches or farms anyway?), upon finding suitable screenshots online of “Hank Hill’s” obsessive place of employment on TV’s “King of the Hill”, she threatened to have me sent for a psych evaluation once I told her of my plans.

Being as that I is a redneck, having lived in Southeast Missouri, animated rednecks crack me up and “King of the Hill” was one of my favorite shows. I still watch it every time it comes on. I even planned out a “King of the Hill” themed layout http://www.zealot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=116077 once and would still love to eventually build it. I have a place on the layout where a freight house stands now, but is perfect for “Strickland” once I get it completed and the layout set up again. It even has a one car spur just long enough for a 62’ propane tank car.

So, here we go…..

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I love it! I also watch King of the Hill on occasion, and you've made an excellent choice. I'm glad you decided to participate in the challenge - I appreciate the input you've had on various projects of mine, and I look forward to returning the favor.

Will you build it as is, or will you add a rail siding?
And of course, the little tanker from the layout photo that inadvertantly gave me this goofy idea:

[attachment=5424]

And of course we need bobtail trucks...

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I am thinking Boley brush trucks, cut down for the body underneath the propane tank, and an acrylic rod with rounded ends (which is what my 40' trailer is made from) for the bodies, with custom decals. I an also use the acrylic rod to make the large vertical tank out front.

The building itself will be scratchbuilt from basswood which I already have on hand. I am really surprised however, with the lack of plain doors and 2 pane horizontal windos from Tichy or Grandt Line. Nobody makes them apparently, *sigh*. Looks like I'll have to scratch those too. For the roof, since the cartoon doesn't show roof detail (however, it is usually gray when shown in most episodes), I am thinking rolled tar paper roof. I'm thinking fine grit gray auto sandpaper cut and glued in strips. I also need a buttload of small and medium sized residential propane tanks out back, but does anyone have any ideas for the small 5 gallon barbeque type tanks? "Bobby the tank wipe" needs something to work on out back. I have "Joe Jack" and "Enrique"'s bobtails on order as well as Hank's Atlas Ford F-150 in red. I need to find suitable figures and repaint them, and need to find a source for HO "Wagner" (pronounced "Vaug-ner") outdoor grills; will probably have to carve those out of styrene I guess. Or does anyone have any ideas for those?? Must be the large stainless monstrosities that burn propane. Charcoal is a sin with "Hank Hill".
I do plan to deviate just enough to have a rail spur out back. After all, this IS a model railroading message board. Icon_lol

I am going to build this on Matte Board or Foam core (whichever is easiest to find here in Stockton) but removeable from the board so I can transplant it on the layout eventually.
This is going to be awesome! What a GREAT idea for an industry. Hank Hill would be submitting transfer paperwork as soon as he found out about this branch of Strickland Propane! Goldth
Tom, I think you are right. If Hank had the opportunity to transfer to a Strickland facility that had rail service, he would jump at the chance!

Oh... I like that tank truck too.
Excellent!!!! What a great way to ship propane and propane accessories. Goldth

Ralph
Great idea! Other details you could consider: A "roach coach" in the parking lot; a banner across the building that says "grillstraviganza", and "Mr Strickland's" Cadillac.
Tom - sheer co-incidence, I saw this this afternoon <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.ebay.com">http://www.ebay.com</a><!-- m --> 190418300745 - The guy has an incredible amount of clutter and bits on his store. You might also be able to cut the tops off a set for the smallet camping gas bottles - Hope it helps
On those acetylene cylinders from E-Bay: It is easy to make your own by taking appropriate diameter plastic rod and between an exacto knife and a small file, you can carve the top cap and a chamfer on the bottom. Could do something similar for the propane bottle/tank.
Thanks guys. I had planned to get Buck's Cadillac, but still looking for an appropriate one. Never thought about "Grillstravaganza" though, GREAT idea. I don't know why I didn't think of that, I make banners. I looked at those cylinders on Ebay, but am on the fence. Those are commonly seen around propane distributors, but not very many of them, especially not that many. On the RIP track here in Stockton, Dad says they torch cut with propane instead of Acetylene for a cleaner cut, so they got propane in those large bottles. Gary, i think you're right, for the 5 gallon tanks, I'll probably have to cut those from styrene rod and carve the tops, but I need so many, it'll be tedious. I *should* make a resin mold, but have never done that with satisfactory results, so, I'll just carve them instead.

Never thought of a roach coach in the parking lot, but I did consider a maniacal skinny guy in an orange jumpsuit and mirrored sunglasses spraying around the building while the "Bugabago" is parked nearby... Icon_lol
Hey Tom, how goes Strickland?

I was thinking about the propane bottles, perhaps you could take the plastic rod and chuck it up in a drill, then tape the trigger on and use it like a lathe? Might speed things up a bit.
Way to go, Gary! I have used that technique before ... it works!

But the drill must be secured in a stationary position and then a fat rubber band or some other easily "whipped off " method of holding back the trigger coupled with a #16 or one of those chisel blades (what ever number they are ... I use my little "used-to-be-an-edge-file" chisel/scraper.

... just remember ... remove material slowly ... and little bits at a time, at that!

Oh ... and wear eye protection!!!
Gary S Wrote:Hey Tom, how goes Strickland?

I was thinking about the propane bottles, perhaps you could take the plastic rod and chuck it up in a drill, then tape the trigger on and use it like a lathe? Might speed things up a bit.

Ugh! I am up at the RR Museum working right now, and will be until Monday. WP 2001, 707 and 805-A are sitting here next to me, but, I had a Board (or is that "Bored") meeting to go to and work on 2001 to do, and a grade crossing to work on, so, Strickland will be a mad scramble at the last minute probably 35

THANK YOU VERY MUCH for the drill lathe idea. That is a GREAT idea.
Tom Wrote:.... I am really surprised however, with the lack of plain doors and 2 pane horizontal windos from Tichy or Grandt Line. Nobody makes them apparently, *sigh*. Looks like I'll have to scratch those too.

Tom, if you can find the right size windows from Tichy or Grandt Line, simply cut out the excess muntins and mullions - much easier than scratchbuilding, and, at least for me, better-looking results. Wink Goldth

Wayne
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