Around here (SE Pa) it seems that every station at some point had a creamery nearby. The farmers would haul their milk to the Creamery and have it processed and shipped to the bigger dairies in the cities. Since I have about 6 reefers I thought having one of these would be a nice addition (never mind that the RGS never had any… ) and give the reefers something to do.

The one I’m building is based on a couple of different prototypes that I’ve seen around here, Most are wood with clapboard siding but some were built of locally quarried stone and measure somewhere around 40-50’ by 20-30’. This one will be a combination of the two, about 40’x 20’ with a track side loading dock.

The shell is 3/8" coroplast.

Windows and doors are Precision Products veneer. The loading dock door will be a sliding door.

The foundation is that Narural Stone Mosaic veneer that the big box hardware stores sell.

Neat project Ken… Anxiously awaiting more…

Nice. There certainly are lots of different types of buildings used for creameries, and it sure looks like that one will fit right in.

What dept. at the big box store do you find that stone mosaic?
I looked in the tile section of mine but didn’t find anything that looked like what you have.

Vinnie, I got my at Lowe’s in Ct. It was in the tile section but I really had to look for it. At first I couldn’t find it and had to ask the store clerk. They only had a couple of boxes. That was back in early spring. Regards, Ron

Vincent D’Agostino said:

What dept. at the big box store do you find that stone mosaic?
I looked in the tile section of mine but didn’t find anything that looked like what you have.

I got mine at Lowe’s in the tile section…sometimes they have it, sometimes they don’t. When I find it, I buy 2 or 3 packs of it.

I will have to check again the next time I am in there, last time all they had was some shiny glass looking mosaics… and some real ugly small colored tile ones!

Bruce Chandler said:

Nice. There certainly are lots of different types of buildings used for creameries, and it sure looks like that one will fit right in.

There were 2 of them right around here that were pretty substantial buildings, close to 100’ long by 40’ wide and all stone block. The one in Oxford found use as a cold storage building for awhile till the outfit outgrew the place and tore it down for a bigger building. The other one just up the road from me is still standing and serves as the office for those personal storage buildings.

Most of them when they were in use, separated the cream from the milk and pasteurized it, and also made butter. Some was shipped to the bigger dairies and some was shipped locally. Some of the smaller ones were bought by the bigger dairies until the local dairy farms started pasteurizing their own milk.

Got some of the siding on today. Decided on a board and batten look.

(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh58/rgseng/expansion/Hesperus/Creamery/Creamery10_zps46753bac.jpg)

Ken, Ken, Ken! Creameries? Where I came from it was breweries (“Make Mine Manru,” and “I’ll be lookin’ for you,” which was Jenny). They had some great looking buildings. And a great tasting product, but then you know us Euro ethnic types.

Seriously though, nice work Ken. At least ya finished your project. Prolly 'cause ya drink milk (Barkeep, I’ll have another!).

Nice, Ken.

Now I have to dig out all my decals. One of my to dos was a Milk Car. Many a “Milk Train” stopped at every farmer to pick up milk and drop off the local mail. There was a train - milk cars, mail cars, and a few passengers in the combine. Picture of an era gone by.

Sigh…

Maybe I’ll dream of the Hooterville Cannonball…movin’ down the track…to the Junction…

All together now—

The Milk Train from the 1940’s.

The Milk Man Commeth. Trading empty milk cans for full ones in June 2012.

A re-created milk run in July 2012.

From the book I’m reading about the Lancaster, Oxford and Southern Railway, which was just a narrow gauge shortline, hauling dairy products was a very lucrative business. Evidently, shipping 10 to 20, 000 lbs of milk and butter every week to Oxford to be later shipped to Phila, kept the RR pretty busy. Not to mention all the market produce shipped from all the local farms. There’s no mention of a “milk run”, so to speak, just the scheduled mixed local loading it on the combine or into a boxcar and meeting the the early PB&W train that went to Phila from Oxford. Fascinating story!

I always liked the idea of a creamery on the layout. Seemed to be kind of alone on that though.

Years ago when I was in HO I had occasion to speak with the original owner of SS Ltd a leading producer of fine structure kits in HO during a fan trip. I suggested a creamery model to him and the scowl I got was unbelievable. I was deprived of further conversation with him for the rest of the trip.

Hehe! My appreciation for his kits was somewhat diminished after that but properly chastised for my blasphemy I gave up ever seeing a creamery model kit produced. Now of course I would simply make my own if I wanted one.

Ken your structure is looking great and I promise you no chastisement from this quarter.

Richard Smith said:

I always liked the idea of a creamery on the layout. Seemed to be kind of alone on that though.

Ken your structure is looking great and I promise you no chastisement from this quarter.

GMTA…

Won’t get much done on it today since I’ll be heading down to Bruce’s for an Ops Session. He’s anxious to try out the new JMRI(TrainOpsII) software on his RR. News at 11…

Looks good so far Ken!

“Windows and doors are Precision Products veneer”

Is there a website for them? Is it available in stores?

Vinny,

When I went to my local Lowes earlier this summer they were on the clearance rack. Meaning they probably weren’t going to carry it there, so I bought all they had. Hopefully you can still get it.

Joe,

I get the Precision Products from Ozark Miniatures. www.ozarkminiatures.com

Ken,

How do you like the windows and doors from Precision? I got a sheet to try it out and thought the detail was pretty lacking. I really like the laminated wall sheets but I wasn’t impressed with the windows and doors.

Jake Smith said:

Ken,

How do you like the windows and doors from Precision? I got a sheet to try it out and thought the detail was pretty lacking. I really like the laminated wall sheets but I wasn’t impressed with the windows and doors.

I like them cause they’re quick and easy to place and come in a variety of styles and shapes. I don’t have the patience nor the inclination to assemble from scratch every little door and window on a building but I have to admire those who do.

They do lack detail, but with a coat of paint from 5 or 10" foot away, they look just fine to me.

Joe Paonessa said:

Is there a website for them? Is it available in stores?

Some hobby shops carry it, some don’t. Nicholas Smith in Broomall, PA carries a nice supply of it, but the last few times I’ve been there they didn’t have what I was looking for, so I just order it direct from Ozark Miniatures now.