Building drawings
#1
Hi all,

does anyone have any scale drawings (prefer HO, but can convert if needed) of relatively modern trackside buildings like warehouses etc, and other 'modern' structures that can be seen in the US in the average (Californian) town between the 1980's and 1995? They can of course be of older designs, but got to be realistic and have a decent presence in the era I'm modeling (see above), no buildings that would in most cases already have been demolished. As I have limited layout space, I need to catch the essence and feel of the era and be a little cohesive, rather than a collection of 'rarities'.

Prefer jpg,tiff,png, pdf etc. or other easily viewed format, rather no cad drawings although I have a simple viewer for autocad type drawings.

Cheers!
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#2
When you say "scale drawings", what exactly are you asking for? Something like blueprints? I'm thinking that photos would serve you better, since you are needing "the look" rather than the exact dimensions. Many of the buildings would be the plain tilt-up concrete type. Can you drive around an industrial or commercial area and take photos of the buildings? I'm sure the existing ones, excluding those obviously recently built, would serve your purposes. You can get rough dimensions by estimating off the photos, and by using google earth.

There are quite a few photos in the "industries" forum right here at Big Blue. Check them out, you might find something you like. Now, if it is indeed "blueprints" you desire, I can't help you with that one. Smile
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#3
Yes, blueprints , drawings, pictures, etc. That would be great. I am a UK resident, so it is kind of hard for me to drive around and take pictures :-)
I've tried the google earth streetview option, and while I find it quite helpful in terms of getting an overal feel for an area, including vegetation and similar details, I'm not too comfortable in using them to make a scale drawing, so hence I'd like some drawings from the exterior of 'generic' buildings to scratchbuild them myself.

Thanks for the other tips, I'll check them out.
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#4
Like I mentioned, check the "Industries" forum here. There are quite a few threads with industries that fit your desires. I've got a bunch more photos, but need to compile them and post them here. Would be a good project for me to do today when I am watching the Texans play some football.
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#5
I didn't realize I had already posted so many prototype industries on Big Blue. Here are some buildings you can check out. If you like any of them and need more photos, these buildings are just down the street, and I can get more photos.

Consolidated Container - http://www.the-gauge.net/forum/viewtopic...=24&t=2209

Gulf Winds International - http://www.the-gauge.net/forum/viewtopic...=24&t=2369

Silgan Plastics - http://www.the-gauge.net/forum/viewtopic...=24&t=2435

RiceTec - http://www.the-gauge.net/forum/viewtopic...=24&t=2412

Mountain King - http://www.the-gauge.net/forum/viewtopic...=24&t=2405

Univar Chemicals - http://www.the-gauge.net/forum/viewtopic...80&start=0

Republic Bag - http://www.the-gauge.net/forum/viewtopic...=24&t=2379

Texatlantic Industries - http://www.the-gauge.net/forum/viewtopic...=24&t=2365

American Filler Metals - http://www.the-gauge.net/forum/viewtopic...=24&t=2210

Thorpe Insulation -http://www.the-gauge.net/forum/viewtopic...=24&t=2218

vacant warehouse - http://www.the-gauge.net/forum/viewtopic...=24&t=2212
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#6
here's a couple more I put up.

Holland Southwest buidling 4 - http://www.the-gauge.net/forum/viewtopic...=24&t=3609

Allied Alloys - http://www.the-gauge.net/forum/viewtopic...=24&t=3607
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#7
And here is a thread with some great photos:

http://www.the-gauge.net/forum/viewtopic...829#p60829
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#8
Thanks Gary, that's a fair few links for me to get started :-) Thanks very much!
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#9
No problem. If you need more photos and Bing views of any particular building, let me know. And, there are still a few more buildings that I haven't posted too, but need to get better photos.
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#10
A friend has been posting plans on my site. Here is whats available so far <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://modelersguild.com/downloads.html">http://modelersguild.com/downloads.html</a><!-- m -->
New kid in town
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#11
That's an interesting site, but what happens if I register? Hope my mailbox is not going to get flooded? :-)
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#12
No all you will get is a confirmation email. To get emails is a separate registration
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#13
Okay cheers, I'll give that a try :-)
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#14
Torikoos, what part or city in Ca are you modeling? Many times buildings are repurposed out here instead of being torn down. The buildings you will see still in use will depend on the age of the city. Vernon and downtown Los Angeles are old cities that had a lot of brick buildings. After the earthquake in Long Beach in 1933, many of the old brick buildings were upgraded to newer earthquake standards that can be seen by 3 foot wide "towers" of bricks cut out of the walls and replaced by reinforced concrete. Much of So Cal was farm land until after WW2 when the building boom first started. City of Commerce was built on farm land after WW2 so many of the buildings there are of the concrete tilt up type. As Los Angeles metropolitan part of Los Angeles County filled up with new construction, everything "sprawaled" to outlying areas. Orange County used to be mostly orange groves and packing houses. I don't think there are any orange groves left in Orange County. The entire county is now either housing or warehousing and factories. The newest development that started occurring even farther out in the area around Ontario and Fontana (near California Raceway) is what would be called mega-warehouses. These are concrete tilt ups that often have a foot print covering multiple acres. The result is that you get a mix of buildings in various towns based on how old the town is.
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#15
Russ Bellinis Wrote:Torikoos, what part or city in Ca are you modeling? Many times buildings are repurposed out here instead of being torn down. The buildings you will see still in use will depend on the age of the city. Vernon and downtown Los Angeles are old cities that had a lot of brick buildings. After the earthquake in Long Beach in 1933, many of the old brick buildings were upgraded to newer earthquake standards that can be seen by 3 foot wide "towers" of bricks cut out of the walls and replaced by reinforced concrete. Much of So Cal was farm land until after WW2 when the building boom first started. City of Commerce was built on farm land after WW2 so many of the buildings there are of the concrete tilt up type. As Los Angeles metropolitan part of Los Angeles County filled up with new construction, everything "sprawaled" to outlying areas. Orange County used to be mostly orange groves and packing houses. I don't think there are any orange groves left in Orange County. The entire county is now either housing or warehousing and factories. The newest development that started occurring even farther out in the area around Ontario and Fontana (near California Raceway) is what would be called mega-warehouses. These are concrete tilt ups that often have a foot print covering multiple acres. The result is that you get a mix of buildings in various towns based on how old the town is.

Fantastic info Russ! I'm trying to achieve a general feel of California, but slightly to the North of L A. Ever since I saw pics and footage of the California Northern loco's, I want to add them to my roster, but need to give them a home that fit's their real surroundings although I'm taking some creative license here by adding in my own freelance railroad 'North Eastern RR'. (my avatar shows one of the NE engines)
I know that name doesn't really work for California, but it's because I originally modeled a different region in the US (north east) and I myself am from the north east of my country of birth (Netherlands), so I kept the name.

Anyway back to structures etc. for me it's hard to get a feel for the place without actually living there, or being able to visit, so I rely on google earth etc to do a little browsing from time to time. Architectural styles in California is something I need to find info off. Obviously, these areas were settled last, while the east coast of the US has the older cities etc, this surely makes a difference in styles, besides other influences like Mexico being close, natural causes (you mentioned earthquakes etc), weather patterns, established industries etc.
I'm not sure the majority of structure kits can be used. All the DPM stuff for instance, looks very much based on older towns and cities etc.

Any suggestions to point me in the right direction would be great!

Koos
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