As I plan my model railroad, I create 3D models to help plan model building on the layout. I generally draw to full scale, and then compress some of the details to fit the layout. One of these buildings was discussed in the following thread: http://www.frisco.org/vb/showthread.php?5923-Help-Request-Van-Buren-Depot The depot will continue, but I wanted to share some images of the next structure that I'll add to my layout portfolio: This is the beer distributor that's located on N A Street next to the tracks. Since I'm 1300 miles away in CA, I get my measurements by using the ruler feature in Google Earth, and then use Bing and Google maps to get bird's eye and drive-by views for a basic feel for the structure. Since I haven't yet nailed-down the era to be modeled, I'll just wing it and do some of the buildings as they exist today. There's a few dozen more in the same general area I'll be looking at over the weekend. Should be fun!
Sheesh, Marc--you are figuring thngs out that I haven't. Guess I'll have to add that open area at the back of my foamboard mockup. Or maybe I can make use of your drawings some way? We need to discuss that off-site. All of the photos I've taken are 1996 and later, after the tornado did major Urban Renewal north of the FS depot, but some of them should be of help in your period, whenever it is. For some reason, I have "Ward Beverage" as the name of the business. Can't remember if it's on the older track charts or somethng I wrote down.
Here's a few more. First up is the Fort Smith Convention and Visitors Center (I just realized that I forgot the second story porch). The rooftop will have the proper wrought iron details, and the fencing needs to be better defined. Other than that, I think it came out pretty good. Next up is the Arkansas Refrigerated Services, Inc. complex. This one took a while, and I had to guess on quite a few details I couldn't make out in Google or Bing maps. A neat set of structures that would make an interesting switching layout on its own.
Hi 'Ya Marc! That visitor's center is "Miss Laura's". It used to be a famous (infamous?) bordello "back in the day". It's been restored (except for the ladies of negotiable virtue!) and is now used as a visitor's center. The ARS plant used to be an OK Feeds warehouse/distribution point. Up until ARS took it over, we used to switch the east side, and the Missouri Pacific (now Ft. Smith RR) switched the west side. (The FSR still does.) When I work Job 3 and am on the FSR Transfer, I run a train right between their buildings. When I'm on Job 2 (as I will be today), I run right by them on the east side every day! Big plant... very inconveniently located (dangerous crossings). FWIW: Their business is WAY down to what it was a couple years ago. Many people have been laid off, and the truck traffic in/out isn't near what it used to be. (I hit a truck there a few years ago.) Andre
Finding some new images on Miss Laura's, I note that I made more than a few goofs in design - easy to fix, but will need a bit more data. Nearly all photos I've been able to find are 3/4 views from the front street-side, but virtually nothing from the back - especially the rear staircase and porch. If anyone is willing, I could sure use some shots of the back street-side and views from the rear parking area. Thanks!
Hi Again Marc! Nice work on the Belle Point Distributor's (Anheuser) north facility! Alas though, if you're going to model the Frisco... it wasn't there! Andre
Thanks Andre. I'm still considering the Frisco proper, but I'm leaning towards a Fort Smith RR-themed pike. The main reason is the lack of suitable Frisco power on hand - I have over a dozen modern Gevos and several dozen UP SD40s. All I need are a few undec Geeps to paint for the FSRR and perhaps some Alcos for the A&M. However, since I'm still in the planning stage, all things could change tomorrow.
The FSR????? Egaddd! Our competition!!! Get thee behind me Satan!! Seriously, there are some good folk that work over there. In fact, I worked for Pioneer Rail for a while! IF you did the Frisco era, that beer distributor would be the Missouri Pacific Freight House. (I recall the structure was razed in the early 80's.) Think: Classic "Freight House" aka the Walther's kits and you've got it. Andre
Andre, I think you just corrected something on my layout. I have the metal building south of the Garrison bridge for the distributor, and a masonry building north of the bridge, which I thought was the freight house based on a photo from Mike's site. For 1980 do I need to put that masonry building south of the bridge (who was using in '80?) I thought most of the stuff north of the bridge was put up since the '95 tornado? I didn't start looking at the area until after that. Marc, I am pretty sure I have some Miss Laura's photos but they are on 3.5" floppies that I am not equipped to use right now.
Hi Steve:I'm not sure if the Mop freight house was still in use by 1980. I last had dealings with it late 1978/early 1979 driving a city truck for Woodline Motor Freight. I would interline freight there... I seem to recall it was still a Mop operation... but was now used for their motor freight division.The brick structure would be correct on the NORTH side of Garrison. Unfortunately, I just can't recall what was on the south side of the Garrison bridge in that same time period.Andre
Dose anyone know the location of the former Fort Smith & Western engine shops? I've found pictures of it in the 1980's and it still was standing, so I was wondering if it was still around today. The building looks like it can be easily modeled with the Walther Cornerstone kits so I think it would be a cool addition to my future layout. Ship it on the Frisco!!! Murphy Jenkins
Hi Murphy: I don't think the entire shop complex is still standing. I do think that one of the buildings is still standing. I can drive you to it, but for the life of me, I can't recall the names of the streets. Andre
I'll look for the building when I'm over that way next time. When I get to school(better computers there) monday I'll try to check google earth to get a good idea where it is. My layout is set in the early 50's so it most likely wasn't still in railroad use, but I plan on useing it as a back up shop area for my Mopac section on the layout. Ship it on the Frisco!!! Murphy Jenkins
Fort Smith resident Chuck Girard reports that the remaining Fort Smith and Western shop building will be demolished this week. Get your pictures while you can!
