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| LASERKit #2001 DABLER MILL & SUPPLY |
| AMERICAN MODEL BUILDERS, INC. PROUDLY ANNOUNCES OUR "MILLENIUM SERIES" KIT 2001 |
| Based upon "The Hinkle Mill" which was featured in an article in the January 1982 issue of RAILROAD MODEL CRAFSTMAN, the prototype is located in Thomasville, North Carolina. In designing this kit, I made various modifications which would not only increase interest, but also add to the intrigue of the structure. Some of these include the Grain Elevator Housing with exposed "drive gear and chain", the enclosed rail car unloading area with the adjoining outdoor dock plus changing some roof angles and removing the "false front" from the top of the main structure. The other main design considerations were to make this model fit any era and locale. The kit is named for Ed Dabler, longtime friend, confidant, advisor and noted prototype and model railroad authority. Ed's "favorite" railroad is the Santa Fe. |
| The structure is primarily clapboard, but one of the interesting features of the prototype is the use of "fake", rolled, asphalt brick paper on the one wall. This is duplicated on the model. The prototype is obviously a number of "combined" structures that were apparently built as "add-ons" over the years. Note the porch in the above photo and the window air conditioner on the office wall in the photo below. The office can be built as a separate structure that does not have to be attached to the main structure. |
| This group of photos shows the asphalt/tar paper "fake" brick siding, the attached porch and the full front of the structure. All porch roofs have visible rafters and supports, with the porch roof decks scribed board by board with visible "nail holes" laser etched in appropriate fashion. As per the prototype, there are several places around the structure where the wall framing is exposed. This was apparently caused by over enthusiastic truck drivers backing into the building at the loading and unloading doors. These exposed framing areas utilize tab and slot construction. |
| The photos below, show the rear of the structure, including the enclosed rail car loading/unloading shed. There are four dock platforms inside this area. A standard 40' box car will fit completely inside the building. Also, visible is the outdoor dock. Two 40' cars, coupled, can be loaded or unloaded here, one inside, one outside. Another addition to the model, not found on the prototype, are the exterior stairs leading to the main elevator house. These were added to enhance the visual interest of the model, plus, with all that machinery up there, easy access is a must. |
| To the left is a close-up of the Elevator Tower and the gear drive wheel and "bicycle" type chain. This will be a white metal casting in the kit. Note the maintenance platform and ladder and the machinery access door. This elevator is fed by a bin and screw conveyor which will be located under the track that runs alongside the building. This will facilitate the unloading of grain hoppers and/or Centerflows. |
| All ventilators have slotted sideboards with individual, tabbed"slats" that slip in place to represent "true" vents. You can actually look up and see through the slats as you would on a real building. |
| THIS KIT IS IN PRODUCTION AND AVAILABLE Overall "footprint" of this model is approximately 12 X 16 inches, depending upon how the office and tar paper shack structures are placed. |
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| One last photo, this one is a close-up of the Delivery Pipe from the Main Elevator House to the Grain Dryer. Also visible is the Motor and Belt Guard that drives the Screw Conveyor from the bottom of the Grain Dryer into the loading and sacking area of the Loading Building. Note the Delivery Pipe Support Tower. It is laser-cut from a single piece of acrylic - there is no "stick assembly" required! |
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| RE- |
Due to an unannounced HTML change by our Server, this page requires total re-building, which will be done as soon as possible. Please check back to see photos of this incredible model kit! Thanks. 02-22-07 |