Stalingrad in 1:285/6mm - scratchbuild start to finish.

[grant]

I am building a whole lot of Stalingrad, in 1:285/6mm scale. I decided to start with something recognizable, the grain elevator. Yes, there is a lovely commercially available one from Timecast, but the shipping is obscene to Canada, and well, the roof doesn't open. 

The real Stalingrad grain elevator was 90m long, which scaled at 1:285 would be 31.5cm roughly. Mine worked out to be 33cm. I'm ok with that result.

Hope you all enjoy.

A lot more pictures from start to finish on my blog, if you are interested. https://cama4.wordpress.com

Here goes:
Raw materials.


Train tracks. They're next in the build. All z scale Micro-Trains. If anyone has ever thought about this stuff, don't. It's so expensive it will make you cry and broke all at the same time. Seriously.


Make tubes. Lots of tubes.


Stack the tubes.


Make a base with the tubes. (so ... many ... tubes ...)


Why not show the conveyor system inside the silo area? Sure, let's do that.


Looking like something.


Massive structure.


Little buildings.


Spray it.


Paint it.


Finish it.




T-34s for scale.


Infantry for scale. Technically, these are modern Chinese in Mali peacekeepers, but the 20mm square bases work. That's what's important.

[Mr. Peabody]

OMG! 

That's insane, but also you make it look easy. Mucho respect!

[Sendak]

If a Nobel were available for scratch building you would be top nominee. Kudos!

Best,
Sendak

[von Lucky]

Lovely, lovely stuff. Will be a great centrepiece to the table.

[jclaxton]

Well done.  I'm jealous.

[grant]

Thanks guys! It was a lot of fun, and the first time I've tried building anything, so I'm happy it turned out.

More to come

[warburton]

Brilliant

[grant]

Brilliant

Cheers - thanks!

[Mick_in_Switzerland]

This is fantastic

I would not dream of doing something so complex.

[6milPhil]

Stunningly good but only discovered it via Reddit.  

Just how expensive is the train track?

[grant]

Stunningly good but only discovered it via Reddit.  

Just how expensive is the train track?

Thanks!

I'm in for $100+ on the track already; one pack of straight tracks I bought new for ~$25, and then the rest was purchased used (50% off) - the turnouts are obscenely expensive. I was very lucky to find some at a local shop used.

[6milPhil]

Compared to 6mm goodness that's very pricey indeed. Were I doing it I'd be tempted to buy base pieces, fill them and cast some off.

[grant]

Compared to 6mm goodness that's very pricey indeed. Were I doing it I'd be tempted to buy base pieces, fill them and cast some off.

If only I knew how to cast! That would be ideal. Oh well, I have my track now.

[FramFramson]

Tell me about the cost of rails. I bought S scale track myself (still need to base the stuff), which is larger but still has the same problem (really, every scale but HO is expensive) and the prices are eyewatering on turnouts (I bought ONE - really I'm never going to have any games that show a whole open railyard).

[grant]

Tell me about the cost of rails. I bought S scale track myself (still need to base the stuff), which is larger but still has the same problem (really, every scale but HO is expensive) and the prices are eyewatering on turnouts (I bought ONE - really I'm never going to have any games that show a whole open railyard).

Yeah, I've noticed everything but HO is obscene. I have FOUR turnouts, and The General nearly sacked me when she was informed of how much - at half off - I paid for them. Crazy. The shop where I finally found them hasn't had any rolling stock come in used, that's what I'm really hoping for. A locomotive, a bunch of cars, something to dress up the track. Z scale locomotives are $150 - $400 - it's insane; rolling stock, $25 per piece. I envy the HO guys; the shop has several tubs of HO stuff used, perfect for 1/72 gaming (close enough) at like a few dollars a piece.