Bayside & Tidewater (BS&T)
It’s an inside joke but I’ve been planning to build this for a very long time. The problem I had was to construct it so that it would blend with a 1950s theme. A modern day Tim Hortons would look very much out of place.
A new coffee place opened up in Summerside that provided me with inspiration and I had to start working on Tommy Drive Thru. The next step was to find a suitable location. I moved it around Chappellton a bit until the vacant lot across from Der-win Coal and Oil.
Not even Sheriff Tom drives down Black River Road. Everyone in Chappellton, including the Sheriff, knows what the Rowan gang have down that road. It’s one of those things that everyone keeps their noses out of. They don’t bother the Rowan Gang and the Rowan Gang won’t bother them. Besides, a lot of folks are actually very good customers of the Rowans.
There are a few signs on the road warning anyone thinking of traveling down Black River Road. Anyone from the area would know better, but a few new comers to the area have gone down the road while out touring. Some of them have taken heed to the “No Trespassing” signs, some have not. As the stories go, the bolder, more curious people seemingly “leave town” very quickly – without a good-bye to anyone.
If the first two signs aren’t enough to turn someone around the “third sign”, just around the bend, certainly will. Old Charlie is a member of the Rowan Gang. He can usually be found “hunting” just before the railway crossing. When anyone asks why he’s always hanging around there he just says the rabbits always cross the road at that spot and he’s always ready for them. If you ask me it’s not rabbits he’s after. He’s one of Rowan’s guards.
I wanted to find out if the rumours were true, so I took my new camera for a walk along the highway hoping to be able to see what was going on.
It was risky, but I was able to get some photos from the highway using my best telephoto lens. This shot was the most risky, since I was standing just above Old Charlie. I had to be very quiet and be sure I didn’t disturb any gravel along the edge of the road. I didn’t want him catching me taking pictures! He’s just tell Sheriff Tom he thought I was a rabbit. Anyway, I couldn’t get a very clear shot of what was going on so I walked along the road and away from Old Charlie.
I found another spot where I could get a bit of a better view through the trees. There he is, Guzzlin’ Greg. Apparently he’s one of the Rowan Gang’s “quality control technicians”. From what I’ve been told he’s always out here, pretty much in that same spot, every day!
I thought I could see a few more people around so I walked a little farther up the highway hoping I could get a better view of what was going on.
I was a long ways from Old Charlie so I was getting a little braver. I could see Big Barry (red shirt and coveralls). BB, as they call him, is the leader of the Rowan Gang. A couple other guys were unloading something from an old green truck but I couldn’t tell who they were or what it was. The trees were just too thick! There were a couple other fellows working on something too, but I couldn’t get a good view of it. I decided to go a little farther along the highway.
Bingo! This was the perfect vantage point! I guess Big Barry was also doing a little “quality control” too. I could see the bags in the back of the truck. They look like big sacks of sugar.
The two guys working on the gizmo in front of them are a couple locals. One claims to be an “engineer” of some sort and the other is the local Mensa wannabe. Derwood something or other and Chris Smeer or something. Anyway, I’m sure between the two of them they are almost smart enough to fix any contraption – even this whatever it is.
I think the guy behind Big Barry is his second in command – Krazy Kenny. He’s a little guy but you have to be careful around him.
I recognized the red and white car too. It’s THE fastest car in town. I’ve seen it zooming through town many times after pulling out of Black River Road.
Well, I hope you’ve enjoyed my story. I was lucky I wasn’t caught. Here are a few more pictures I took after I was a little farther away from the danger zone.
I made it home in time for supper and to catch my favorite TV show. Perhaps you’ve heard of “Dukes of Hazard”? Anyone know where I can get an HO scale General Lee? How about a Daisy Duke?
Later!
Scott
The other towns on the BS&T seemed to almost fall into place as far as building and street locations are concerned. Once those things are determined the rest of the scenery just happens. Chappellton, however, continues be a challenge. It has gone through many changes since the layout was constructed as I tried to find track and street arrangements that I was happy with. I am happy with it to this point, but I wanted to try something different here. I wanted to have part of the town raised above the railroad with the station building on the raised portion and the passenger platform below.
So, I’m trying some things to see how I can go about doing that, but they all lead to one fact. I have to move the tracks, yet again! There is not enough room between the main line and the station siding for the walls and other structures required to support a raised section of town. So, one of these evenings when I go into the room to do some work I know I’ll be tackling that project.
If you’ve been a very observant regular reader of this blog you might notice there are several “new” structures in Chappellton (the row of buildings just left of center in the first photo). I was lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time when we were at the Truro train show a few weeks ago and bought several structures from Dara at a great price. These will certainly help to make the town look a little less barren.
The second photo shows two other structures (the large brick and the sand colored building near the center of the photo) that were built for the 5th Street Industrial District UMG modules. They may as well be on my layout between shows rather than collecting dust somewhere. Plus there’s a greater chance they’ll get finished than if there were packed away.
Next time I’ll have an update on a recent operating session on the BS&T. Until then…
Scott
Chappellton Harbour got a new addition over the weekend – a 45′ Tug from Frenchman River Model Works.
You can read about assembling this kit at the Scratchbuilder’s Guild.
I needed a tug for the car float in Chappellton and this kit looked like a great choice. However, after I placed it in position it looks very small next to what I was going to use as a starting point for the car float. So, I either need a larger tug, or a smaller car float.
It might not be so bad after I pour the epoxy to simulate water. I will leave the float where it is and remove the tug. I’ll pour the water to about 1/4″ thickness. Hopefully the tug will appear larger next to the float when I put it back in place.
What do you think?
Scott
Well, someday. I’ve been working on and off on a Builders in Scale lighthouse kit for the harbour in Chappellton. It will be called MacLellan’s Point Lighthouse.
This picture was taken on December 30. The paper shell is attached, but that’s about it. The pewter bits were just set in place for the picture. The shingles, windows in the main structure and light housing, and the entry still need to be added.
Here’s a picture as the building looks now…
I must appologize for the picture quality. I took it last evening when I realized I hadn’t taken pictures to post in a while. It was after our operating session (late) so I didn’t take much time to set things up. I’ll have better ones later.
The Builders in Scale shingles were quite easy to work with. Unlike the Campbell shingles they are on a self adhesive sheet, like labels, and can be easily stained and weathered before being applied to the structure. This makes for a much more random look to the shingles.
The most frustrating part of construction was the windows around the light housing. The pattern to cut and scribe the “glass” is just a hair too big. Also, the “glass” provided in the kit was very brittle and broke along the score lines. Fortunately I have some other window material that worked well. You can see some of the rejects in the box in the lower right.
There are still a few more details to add and I have to construct the walkway leading to the entrance. Then I’ll have to figure out where the lighthouse should be to guide ships safely into the harbour. Then there’s the harbour to complete, and the scenery around the lighthouse, and the water, waves, ships…..
Scott