I decided to build a wrap-around loading platform from scratch. The first step was to build the support posts that normally would be dug into the ground. I need to build and install those first before completing the scenery under the platform. Since I have a number of these posts to do, I started off by making a simple jig (shown here). The long posts will support the roof over the platform.
This next photo shows the parts of the platform supports. I made them from scale 8" x 8" posts and 2" x 4" cross beams. With the jig, and some careful manipulation while the glue was drying, making these sub-assemblies went surprisingly quickly.
The area under the platform has to be covered with some other color than black. I used Burnt Sienna acrylic tube paint. After the paint was dry, I installed the platform support posts with white glue.
These next photo is a close-up of the area under the platform. I glued some tall weed grasses and some foam bushes in the area. These represent un-checked growth under the platform. Then I covered the area with matte medium and sprinkled Arizona Rock & Minerals' Earth Sand.
I then installed scale 6" x 10" joists to support the platform boards. I also put some 2x4 cross braces on the front posts.
After installing the joists, I spent three days carefully gluing scale 2" x 6" boards onto the joists. I also stained and weathered the boards.
Before I put the platform roof on, and while I still have access, I decided to install some details on the platform. On the left side of the building I installed a park bench (for the employees to sit and eat their lunch), several drums, and an electrical device (hard to see in the photo). In the foreground you can see (from left to right) a pile of boxes just unloaded from a boxcar, an employee carrying a box into the building, a pallet with bags of something-or-another, two employees carrying bags into the building, a pile of junk/parts, and a wooden board leaning up against the platform. You might have also noted that I glued open doors in place. These were made from parts found in my parts boxes. I trimmed them to size, painted them, and glued them in position.
On the other side of the building you can get a better view of the side of the building with its bench and drums. In the foreground (from left to right) is an employee attempting to drag a large crate into position (I plan on adding a vehicle into which the crates are being loading), another employee getting ready to grab a chair, and four chairs. The chairs were built in the factory and are being loaded into a local delivery vehicle. These were made from a Gold Metal Models kit.
Some scale 4x6's were used to complete the roof support structure. This part won't be visible, so it just needs to be functional.
The roof will be made out of simulated corrugated sheet metal. I bought this material from Builders in Scale several years ago. It comes in scale 7-1/2, 10, and 14-foot wide panels. The 10-foot panel fit my structure perfectly.
The instructions that come with the parts are well-written and complete. I was going to follow the instructions and cut 26-inch wide panels, just like in the prototype, but after trying to cut one such panel, I gave up. It is very hard to cut without destroying the material. I decided to make the panels in one long section covering the entire roof section. I cut it using the method shown in the photo. I put a metal ruler down over the material and then several weights. A sharp knife is what's needed. It worked, without damaging the material.
I had read about this before, so I was looking forward to using PC circuit board etchant to weather the sheet metal. The needed materials are shown in this photo.
However, when I tried it, I found the process to be very unpredictable. Once I put the corrugated material in the solution, there was a very short window between it starting to react and it being totally eaten up. On the couple of test pieces I tried, the final appearance was just a black area on the metal. It decided to just weather the material using chalks. Much more predictable.
With this last photo the loading platform is complete, as is the entire structure in and of itself. The platform took one month of my modeling time, and, although not perfect, I am happy with the result. The project is not finished, however. The next step will be to build another structure. One that allows the company to store large quantities of wood.
