Now that the track is “mostly” down, I’m thinking about the “scene”. I also want to build a structure over the holiday. I grew up enjoying time spent at relatives’ farms and I think barns are interesting structure. Not really serviced by rails but always near tracks. As a kid staying at my cousins’ farm in the summer, I have fond memories of the nightly freight train whistling at the crossing as the track went through one of their fields.
Dallas Divide had a few barns around the right of way, in fact one of the few places along the RGS. I figured this is the best place to model a barn.
Looking at many photos in books and at Mike Blazek’s plans, I figured out there were 3 barn structures at Dallas Divide. Mike’s workbook calls out 2, but from the photos, I think he has one structure mislabeled. I’m trying to decide if I build all 3 or compromise with just 1. Dallas Divide is very open and expansive and I want to capture that feel. So putting all 3 barns in may be too much for my section of the layout.
I really like the look of the barn close to the ranch house. (that’s the one I think is mislabeled). I drew up some templates of the barn, and will scratch build this. This will be my holiday project. Found a number of intersting sites that covers barn constuction in the early 1900’s. Used them as a guide for my drawings.
I have a small printed section of the fall backdrop up, looking at the colors and getting thoughts on late summer or late fall. I like them both.
Happy holidays!
Jonathan