Help Request - Van Buren Depot

Hi Folks,

I'm working on a 3D model of Frisco's Van Buren depot. In doing so, this allows me to generate images and plans for modeling the structure for my layout. While not dead-on accurate, I believe the model to be proportionally correct and captures the overall feel of the prototype. FWIW, I created the model based on photos found on this forum and on the 'net. Below are a few quick and dirty untextured renders:



However, I'm stuck on a few details - namely the roof-mounted semaphore and a few other bits on the track-side end. It seems that large clear photos of the depot for are hard to come by. If anyone living in the area wouldn't mind taking a few closeup shots around the depot, I would surely appreciate the help.

 

Hi Marc!

Nice model!

I'll be going right by that sucker this Saturday... twice. Likely stopping both times. Unfortunately, because of recent FRA rulings, I can't take pictures while in the saddle.

As for the dimensions, there is a website that has floorplans of almost all the Frisco depots, and I'll bet Van Buren is included. Unfortunately (again) I can't find the link to it!! I looked in my Frisco Depot Plans folder and unbelievably, I do not have Van Buren. Dumb.

Hopefully, someone will step up and supply the link to the floorplans.

As for pictures: Obviously, Van Buren is in my realm, but finding the time to go shoot pics right now will be a challenge. I'll see what I can do over the coming weeks.

Andre

 

Marc,

I have several pics of the depot. Let me dig through them and see what I do to help.

I live in Charleston, so Van Buren isn't too far out of my way when I have to go to Ft Smith. List off the detais you need and maybe I could help.

Fred
Charleston, AR

 

Okay, here's what I dug out.

I rode the excursion in 2005 and shot a lot of casual stuff. Here are some of what I got with a few of the details you asked about.

I used a 8 megapixel camera so the photos are large but you can really zoom in for more details.

Let me know what I missed and I can look for it in the other shots or snag them the next time I go to town.

Fred
Charleston, AR

 

Terrific! Thanks for the assist, guys!

 

Thank you for the images, Keith. Much appreciated.

 

Fred - do I detect a slight ramp from the parking area up to the level of the depot's foundation (platform level)? If so, how far toward the street-side of the depot does it extend (or is it that the parking area itself sloped)? Thanks.

 

Great stuff. Thanks again, Keith.

 

What software are you using to make your model?

 

The depot sits on a hillside that flattens into a slight shelf around where the tracks run through. I imagine it was scraped off flat when they laid the track and built the depot. The depot foundation is level with the tracks on the north side but 3' above the parking lot, so there is a natural grade, everything north is uphill and everything south is down. What you are probably seeing is the natural slope of the terrain under the parking lot paving.

 

Mike Condren's Condrenrails website has a section on Frisco Depot floor plans circa 1915.It is a bit hard to find amonngst the wealth of Fort Smith -Van Buren railroad information.

 

3D Studio Max.

Thanks for the info on the sloped area, Fred. I noted also that with Keith's pictures, that I'm missing an extra stair tread on the south-west corner.

 

Thanks - I looked but didn't locate the plan. I'll go through a bit more carefully later this evening.

 

This might be of use in your Van Buren quest: http://www.arkansasties.com/Crawford/TrainDepot.htm

Tom

 

Here is a plan from the 1918 ICC Valuation of the Central Division. I can supply the technical details that came with the report if you wish to get into great detail.

 

Outstanding John - just what I needed. And thanks for the link, Tom - bookmarked!

 

Here are the Frisco track charts for Van Buren, AR ca 1918.