tower remained in active service until late in 2007 providing interlocking for the interchange of the Indiana Harbor Belt; Elgin, Joliet & Eastern and the Baltimore & Ohio Chicago Terminal routes. Since Grasselli’s decommission- ing, the IHB has donated the structure to the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum with the condition that it be removed from the parent company’s property. The move has been made and the re- furbished structure now resides along the HVRM’s trackage in North Judson, Indiana. To capture the simple utilitarian lines of Grasselli Tower in model form, RSM uses a material pallet consisting of two thicknesses of cardstock, thin plywood and clear acetate. The card- stock and wood components are laser- cut to size in a carrier sheet as is com- mon with nearly all comparable models; however, a further step has been taken in which parts are also laser engraved to add further depth and definition to each piece. Notable among such engraving are the clap- boards cut into the four sides of the structure. This engraving rivals that found on many current resin or plastic injection molded offerings. The fit and finish of each part is ex- cellent, so assembly poses no unfore- seen issues. It is recommended that the card parts be sealed and primed prior to construction. The thick engraved card pieces did have a slight bit of fuzz which was removed by rubbing down each part using 0000 steel wool. In ad- dition, the individual parts were paint- ed prior to assembly.
Research shows that there are at
least two possible paint schemes that can be applied if the modeler is trying to replicate the prototype. The first consists of an overall distressed white scheme that saw service with the IHB prior to the tower being moved, which was chosen for this review model. This scheme can be rendered by the use of a white “pickling” stain over the gray primed structure. The roof was painted using a tan texture paint which once dry was distressed with steel wool, sand paper and a wire brush to repli- cate a failing shingle roof. The second scheme, applied by the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum to the reconditioned structure, consists of a pale green body color with dark green trim. The roof is capped with dark gray shingles that complete this attractive restoration. The builder’s third option would be to paint the model in their home road’s paint scheme which would easily fit this structure since similar towers could be seen on railroads from coast to coast.
The visible second story interior is Spartanly-appointed with two banks of interlocking levers. These innovative- ly-designed levers are laser-cut and as- sembled using alternating lever pieces and spacers.
The modeler can easily add addition-
al details and clutter to complement this basic interior and add to an al- ready superbly detailed foreground model. The price of the HO Grasselli interlocking tower is $69.95. It is also available in Z, N and O scales.—GEORGE RILEY
“HO” SCALE
ER SRR Waffle Side Box Car F/P RTR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$36.50 ER B&O M-53 Wagon Top Box Car F/P RTR . . . . . . . . . .$26.95 ER CSXT Gunderson 2420 Gondola F/P RTR . . . . . . . . .$20.25 ER UP Gunderson 2420 Gondola F/P RTR . . . . . . . . . . .$20.25 BSM RGS K-27 #455 "Post Wreck" F/P w/DCC, Weathrd .$429.00 BSM D&RGW K-27 F/P 461 DCC, Weathrd, Moffit Herald $429.00 BSM D&RGW Jackson & Sharp Passenger Cars . . . . . . . .$85.00 Atl 53' TTX 3-Car Contaier Set F/P . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$87.50 Atl 20,700 Gal. Tank Car "CAFCO" F/P RTR . . . . . . . . . . .$38.50 Atl 73' BNSF Centerbean F/P RTR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$39.50 BWL UP AC6000 F/P w/DCC & Sound . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$245.00 BWL SP RSD 15 w/DCC & Sound F/P RTR . . . . . . . . . . .$235.00 BWL CN RSD 15 High Nose w/DCC & Sound F/P RTR . .$235.00 BWL AT&SF RSD 15 W/DCC & Sound F/P RTR . . . . . . . .$235.00 Wal UP 89' Thrall Bi-Level Auto Carrier F/P . . . . . . . . . . .$39.95 Wal SP 89' Thrall Bi-level Auto Carrier F/P . . . . . . . . . . .$39.95 Wal GN Alco/Lesley Rotary Snow Plow F/P RTR . . . . . . .$55.00 GPM SP 2-10-2 Class F-5 F/P #3748 . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,657.00 OM AT&SF SD24 F/P Blk & Silver
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$685.00
WWW.SUMPTERVALLEY.COM Visit us at:
email:
trainman@callatg.com “O” SCALE
SJC D&RGW Drop Bottom Hoppers On3 & On30 . . . . . .$95.00 WVR Roller Bearing Trucks, pair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$17.95 Atl 40' Containers "Many Versions" F/P . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$27.95 Atl NP 40' Steel Reefer F/P . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$52.75
• • • MANY MORE • • •
"BRASS COLLECTIONS WANTED" 541-382-3413
Orders
1-800-750-4449 FAX 541-389-7237
Sidetrack Laser American Iron and Boiler Works
HO,N & O Scale Laser Cut Model RR Kits
O Scale Background
www.sidetracklaser.com Visit Our Website for more HO, O & N Scale Kits
PO Box 447
Newberg, Oregon 97132 503-449-5361 Dealer Inquiries Welcome
www.tomarindustries.com
56 SE Bridgeford Blvd., Ste. 120, Bend, OR 97702 HOURS: Monday - Saturday 9 am - 6 pm
RAILROAD MODEL CRAFTSMAN 87
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