The prints are finished. While printing the actual factory portion I assembled, painted and weathered the silo. As I tried to fit it all together looking for examples online I discovered that this model is based on the Walthers HO scale cement factory, but was simplified and scaled down to Z scale. I subsequently scaled up the object files to N scale and printed them.
The “instructions” for the silo portion, which came with the downloaded object files, builds the silos for storage from unloading hoppers, with doors on the ends for transfer to trucks. On the Walthers site this appears to be the cement transfer point from hoppers to trucks for further use in mixing concrete.
The silos are a gray with some staining from either sand or limestone or cement spilling and then rain streaking. All known metal areas are painted aluminum to mimic aged galvanized steel, then some streaked mahogany in areas to show rust.
I have not tried positioning track and a covered hopper yet. I want to get out a couple of modules and determine where this will all fit.
The factory portion takes up a lot of real estate. The spur shape will determine orientation, but I’m thinking parallel to the main lines.
I’m also considering a reprint of the two intermediate buildings to reorient the pipe/conveyer. Specifically the smaller one mirrored and the larger with the long silo conveyer positioned 90 degrees from the current location. This should reduce the footprint.
Another option I’ve seen online is to separate the two and use the silo for storage and hoppers to move product for mixing and making the cement, then using hoppers for cement transport to customers. Which then means a small staging yard…and gives me a second industry for my layout.
Thanks for looking…
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