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The Fine Scale Miniatures Rollin Saywer Chemical structure has always been one of my favorites.  Unfortunately, the standard kit design with its long structure just would not fit on my layout, so a rearrangement was in order.  Jim Lucus and I teamed up to create this modified version, which also gave the opportunity to have a little bit of fun with these present election and economic times.  This build demonstrates that many structures can be modified for dockside applications.  It also shows that our hobby can help us through even the most difficult of challenges. 

Come and enjoy a morning at the plant.

Gregg


Today has turned out to be busier than normal at the fertilizer factory. 

The owners were down on the docks trying to come up with a plan to fix that fishnet drying rack on the working end of the dock.  That I-rack seems to be a never-ending problem.  No one has fixed that I-Rack yet and the bosses cannot agree on what to do. 

So, there they were, M. Cain and O. Bama looking things over and arguing about how best to fix the I-Rack once and for all, when all of a sudden all kinds of yelling could be heard, completely disturbing the morning quiet.  It surprised everyone that that old steady boat, the Fannie Mae was sinking.  The bosses and the rest of the crew were running in circles to put together a rescue plan and by the time they had agreed on what to do, that government boat came by with a crew to save the Fannie Mae.  Yep, another government bailout job that we will all be paying for later.

Hopefully, the Fannie Mae can stay afloat and not end up going under like the Wa Mu did last week.  She can still be seen, but not for much longer.

That's when the Sarah Palin from Alaska pulled in, bringing her goods to add to the mix.  She was a site, slipping through the waters and up to the dock, though her load did tend to smell some. 

The workers, owners and everyone were eying her over and checking her out, when all of a sudden the biggest commotion you ever did hear was going on out back near the shipping docks.  The bosses took off around the main mill to see what was going on and found that the American Economy came completely off the tracks.  There are all kinds of folks checking that out now.   Seems like all they want to do is throw money at the problem instead of doing the hard work of just lifting her up slow but sure.

Oh, and that's when the new partner arrived in his spiffy red and white rig, J.O. Biden's Finest Fertilizer.  Ol' Bama seems to be very pleased with this new partner's special brand of fertilizer, but Mr. Cain seemed to think his stuff stinks.  Those two just do not agree on anything. 

Just when words were getting a little heated, that old worn out Presidential d'Bait rig pulls up.

Sure enough, Ol' Bama, Mr. Cain and the Biden and Sarah Palin crews all spent time over at d'Bait rig, telling everyone about all these problems and how best to fix them.  Seems like all they do is talk and nothing ever gets fixed.  They talked so much that some of the fence sitters couldn't stand it anymore and they got up and left.

The rest of those fence sitters are still there taking in all that doublespeak and maybe hoping for new jobs.  Now the AP Pole is leaning towards O.Bama.

So here we are, late morning and the Wa Mu is under water, Fannie Mae is being bailed out, that nasty I-Rack problem is still not fixed, they have no idea how to get that American Economy car back on track and all we have to look forward to today is the smell of this stinking business.  Well, at least we get to wander down to the docks and check out the Sarah Palin.  She does have nice lines.

Funny, very funny.
You did more than I thought possible.
Pretty good modeling too.
thanks for the giggle
-Marty

Nice diorama. Bizarre sense of humor. Go stand in the corner. -- Russ

Clever Gregg, and not a hint of which way the wind blows. Thanks and congrats on some very fine modeling too.

Quote from: lab-dad on October 14, 2008, 03:28:11 PM
Funny, very funny.
You did more than I thought possible.
Pretty good modeling too.
thanks for the giggle
-Marty

Thanks Marty.  There is more to this diorama than is obvious, including many unique and interesting details.  For instance, in this build I leveraged some of my waterfall creation experience to apply moving water to everyday life situations.  In the photo below, you can see a dock worker using a hose to washing down the dock.  This is one more way to add movement to scenes.

Gregg

Quote from: finescalerr on October 15, 2008, 12:59:34 AM
Nice diorama. ... -- Russ

Hi Russ.  Thanks.  During these days any sense of humor is a good thing.  Another interesting detail on this diorama are the fish (in the back of the boat, the loading bucket and conveyor).  These were made from small seed pods from a weed I found.  I carefully removed them from the stems with tweezers, spray painted them grey, then apply some silver paint on one side.  They look quite good, especially in person.

Gregg

Quote from: chester on October 15, 2008, 03:56:31 PM
Clever Gregg, and not a hint of which way the wind blows. Thanks and congrats on some very fine modeling too.

Thanks Chester.  Here is another shot to enjoy.

Gregg

Nicely done, and a funny story to go with it.  I generally do not care for "Craftsman Structures", but I think you have done a neat job here, especially in the layout/configuration.

Thanks for posting the additional detail shots they really help show how much work you put into this project.


Marc

Gregg -

What technique/material did you use to form the body of water.  Although somewhat glassy (air can't be that still with all this political hot air), it still looks pretty realistic.

Mark

Quote from: marc_reusser on October 16, 2008, 02:58:48 AM
Nicely done, and a funny story to go with it.  I generally do not care for "Craftsman Structures", but I think you have done a neat job here, especially in the layout/configuration.

Thanks for posting the additional detail shots they really help show how much work you put into this project.


Marc

Thanks Marc.  Jim and I appreciate your kind comments.  Here is another detail shot to enjoy.

Gregg

Quote from: marklayton on October 16, 2008, 04:32:24 AM
Gregg -

What technique/material did you use to form the body of water.  Although somewhat glassy (air can't be that still with all this political hot air), it still looks pretty realistic.

Mark

Hi Mark.  The water is EnviroTex.  I have tried other products, but I like EnviroTex the best.  Although my intensions were to add ripples and waves to the water, I kept it glassy for two reasons.  First, I think the reflections are adding to the model.  Second, when I place this one on my layout it will be easier to fill the joints, pour another coat and blend in.  I will probably add the ripples and waves at that point.

Gregg

Gregg -

Not familiar with that product, so just paid a visit to ETI's web site (http://www.eti-usa.com/index.html (http://www.eti-usa.com/index.html)).  There are several products shown including Envirotex Lite pour-on finish, Easy Cast, and Clear Polyester Casting Resin.  Which one?

I agree with your observation about the reflections from the calm surface.  Really does make it seem wet.

Mark