Large Scale Central

The End of Miracle Chair Company

Modeling
#1

It started eight and a half years ago as a contest at another site. It looked great to start with:

The years took their toll. But, I still thought it would have a chance in the new location.

Today, I brought it in to start some repairs. Originally built on a plywood frame, I had covered the sides with Precision Products clapboard siding. The siding held up well. But, when I turned the building over, I found that the siding was about the only thing keeping the wood together.

In fact, the lower part of the wood had disappeared. I thought it would be safe on a platform, but I was obviously wrong.

My styrene loading dock survived OK, as did the Grandt Line windows and doors. The windows I had scratch built survived as well. But, looking at the damage, I knew it was time to just salvage what I could.

The windows were popped out; the loading dock removed from the building. Everything that I could use again, I saved.

All that’s left of a once fine building:

When originally built, I had not yet settled on 1:20. I was still in the 1:22 or 1:24 stage. Even so, it was a very tiny building. I do need a building for that siding, but I don’t think I’ll rebuild the Miracle Chair factory.

#2

Whatcha gonna make?

#3

Good question. I do know it WILL NOT be made from plywood.

#4

I hear that acrylic is all the rage now…

I’ll have to rebuild the colliery at Majestic sometime. Its made from pine

#5

My freight depot made from plywood only lasted a year or so. Termites ate it up.
I have couple of kits to build that use wood. I guess I’ll have to keep them indoors unless the trains are running.
Ralph

#6

http://people.delphiforums.com/flatbushskp/funnybusiness.html

This might help you decide, I personally like these ones:

Juan More Taco

Den of Antiquities

Curl Up & Dye Hair Salon

#7

Put it back on the layout as an abandoned building. They look good falling apart.

#8
Chuck Inlow said:
Put it back on the layout as an abandoned building. They look good falling apart.
That is a great idea ;) It would look pretty cool. Ralph
#9
Bob McCown said:
I hear that acrylic is all the rage now...
That and some new fangled stuff called coroplast........;)
#10
Victor Smith said:
http://people.delphiforums.com/flatbushskp/funnybusiness.html

This might help you decide, I personally like these ones:

Juan More Taco

Den of Antiquities

Curl Up & Dye Hair Salon


Cool names, and sort of how Miracle Chair came about. I recall seeing it in an OLD Model Railroader. But now all of my new buildings are named after folks that I’ve operated with.
So far:
Goodson Hardware
Golding’s Cafe
Matheson Textiles
Brunt Interchange
McCown Freight
Salmons Produce
Buchanan Tool & Die
Smith Pond Mill
Mills Fuel

Too late for an abandoned building. It’s in the trash.

#11

Now I am beginning to feel old. I remember watching the build on the Miracle Chair Co.

Sigh.

Sic transit gloria.

#12

dust to dust, plywood to ashes.

#13

Since all our model building masters are aging why not the “Miracle Wheelchair and Walker Company” :wink:

(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f72/Shortybear/wtbnew.jpg)

#14
Chuck Inlow said:
Put it back on the layout as an abandoned building. They look good falling apart.
I agree - Or a burned out hulk... Use a propane torch to char above the windows :D

EDIT: Just caught up with the thread. I had a feeling you would have just busted it up. Oh well.

#15

Love the photo!

David Russell said:
Since all our model building masters are aging why not the “Miracle Wheelchair and Walker Company” :wink:

(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f72/Shortybear/wtbnew.jpg)

#16

Mike Miracle was a good friend of a number of people amongst us. His modeling skills were unbelievable, but alas I guess they aren’t considered that good any more. He did sit around a lot. And so became the subject of one of Bruce’s first buildings. Obviously, Bruce has removed him from the industry list of the Jackson and Burke. Is this what eventually happen to the rest of us? When you look at the big picture, I guess we are all here for just a short time. Could you at least leave the turnout or siding named Miracle? You know, something like - “if you can get that car to stay on the track through that siding, it will be a Miracle.”

Mike really was a good guy, or was he always the one we questioned as to whether or not, he really was a guy? Maybe it was a Miracle?

#17

On the High Desert I have to frame everything with redwood or it gets eaten in a couple years. Has anyone tried backing Precision Products with MDF? I have MDF on hand and am thinking about using it.

#18

MDF isnt water friendly, is it?

#19

No it isn’t and MDO isn’t made to stand in water either