DETAILING A GAS STATION DETAILING A GAS STATION FOR THE TRANSITION ERA FOR THE TRANSITION ERA (c) 2014-2015 Gary Robinson A Presentation Prepared by Gary Robinson EduTRAIN™
Jan 12, 2016
DETAILING A GAS STATION DETAILING A GAS STATION FOR THE TRANSITION ERAFOR THE TRANSITION ERA
(c) 2014-2015 Gary Robinson
A Presentation Prepared by Gary Robinson
EduTRAIN™
This is an EduTRAIN™
Clinic
EduTRAIN™Copyright © 2014, National Model Railroad Association, Inc.
INTRODUCTION
This presentation will acquaint you with brief background on the history of service stations;
an introduction to building styles;
types of services provided by service stations;
the equipment that would be found to support the services provided; and
some possibilities for modeling.
(c) 2014-2015 Gary Robinson EduTRAIN™
BACKGROUND Post-World War II, automobiles became a larger part
of American life. Towns of any size had at least one gas station or
garage.
Some were “company” stations
Some were independent stations.
The explosion of demand for automobiles for gave rise to a wide ranging industry, with many modeling opportunities.
Today we'll concentrate on the businesses that serviced the autos.
(c) 2014-2015 Gary Robinson EduTRAIN™
MORE BACKGROUND
(c) 2014-2015 Gary Robinson
EduTRAIN™
The author grew up in a “garage”, or “service station,” as opposed to a “gas station” or “filling station.”
INDEPENDENT VERSUS COMPANY STATIONS
Independent stations bought gasoline and related products from an oil
company distributor; had more control over the appearance of their
station. Company-owned stations
built to a standard design; uniformed attendants; leased back to the operators.
Let's see what some of these stations looked like.
(c) 2014-2015 Gary Robinson EduTRAIN™
COMPANY STATIONS - GULF
Porcelain panels;
Tower optional;
Available in Z, N, and HO scales, along with a separate lighting kit.
(c) 2014-2015 Gary Robinson
Picture from the Miller Engineering Web page, www.microstru.com, used with permission.
EduTRAIN™
COMPANY STATION - SHELL
Above: Company Station, Chester, NJ. Photo by Barbara Christensen, operator’s wife and author’s aunt.
Right, top: Model Power built-up, HO scale;
Right, bottom: Bachmann Industries N scale built-up.
(c) 2014-2015 Gary Robinson
Source for both model photos: www.walthers.com.
EduTRAIN™
SIMPLE PORCELAIN PANEL STATION
Porcelain panel station models: Crafton Avenue Station, by City Classics, and
Cornerstone Al's Victory Service Station.
(c) 2014-2015 Gary Robinson
Location unknown Source: http://hipspics.freewebspace.com/gas/gas.html with no photographer attribution.
EduTRAIN™
(c) 2014-2015 Gary Robinson
Some Other Interesting Designs
Below, left and right, source: http://hipspics.freewebspace.com/gas/gas.html with no photographer attribution.
Rancho Cucamonga, CAMilwaukie, OR (near Portland)
Raleigh, NC. Carol M Highsmith photo, used with permission.
Mt. Clemens, MI. Gary Allum photo, used with permission.
EduTRAIN™
SO, YOU HAVE YOUR BUILDING. NOW WHAT?
► Once you've selected and constructed your building, you're ready to start the detailing process.
► First, what goes on at a garage?
► Then, will you detail the interior, or only the exterior?
► Will visitors be able to see the interior easily? If so, you'll probably need to do at least some minimum interior detailing. What will that entail? Let's see.
(c) 2014-2015 Gary Robinson EduTRAIN™
WHAT HAPPENS AT A “GARAGE?”
The purpose of a garage was to sell you products and services for your car, including
► Gasoline & Kerosene; Diesel fuel
► Lubrication
► Oil & filters (oil changes)
► Tires (and flat repairs)
► Batteries
► Other repairs, including fan belts and radiator hoses
(c) 2014-2015 Gary Robinson EduTRAIN™
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN “REPAIRS?”
tune ups wheel alignment headlight alignment
radiator and coolant services and hose replacement
brake and master cylinder repair or replacement
transmission and/or axle service or repair
wheel bearing repacks valve jobs battery service or replacement
muffler replacement fan belt adjustment or replacement
Let's see how these things affect our details, starting with the exterior.
(c) 2014-2015 Gary Robinson EduTRAIN™
EXTERIOR DETAILS
All stations need gas pumps.
Near right: Visible style
Center: Rectangular style, with lit globe
Far right: Rectangular style without globe
(c) 2014-2015 Gary Robinson
Images on this page come from the web page at Images on this page come from the web page at http://edtecpandora.wikispaces.com/Gas+Pump+History and are used under the Creative Commons-Attribution Share Alike 3.0 Unported license. See the terms of the license at http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
EduTRAIN™
PROUD OWNERS
Uniformed owners at a new Sinclair station circa 1953 or 1954.
Note illuminated Globe Pumps and the price of Ethyl (Hi Test): $0.270
(c) 2014-2015 Gary Robinson EduTRAIN™
MORE EXTERIOR DETAILS
(c) 2014-2015 Gary Robinson
Windshield service supply holder. Source: Google Images, attributed to www.barrett-jackson.com. Used with permission.
Oil can rack. Photo by Griffin Gatschet. Used with permission.
EduTRAIN™
(c) 2014-2015 Gary Robinson
Other Exterior Details
Water can. Note long, goose-neck spout. Photo from Google Images, attribution unknown.
Exterior air hose. Photo from Google Images, attribution unknown.
Windshield wiper dispenser. Photo from Google Images, attribution unknown.
EduTRAIN™
(c) 2014-2015 Gary Robinson
Other Exterior Details (cont'd)
Above: R C Baker Museum, Coalinga, CA.Photo from Google Images, attributable to Dylan Szoshke (possibly Czoschke). Contact info for photographer unavailable.
Below: Placard included in AMT 1/25 scale 1950 Chevrolet 3100 pick up truck kit. Contact info for photographer unavailable.
EduTRAIN™
(c) 2014-2015 Gary Robinson
Other Exterior Details (cont'd)
Location unknown.Image located through Google Images, attributable to http://www.dailystormer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/gas11.jpg. No contact info available for photographer. EduTRAIN™
(c) 2014-2015 Gary Robinson
Other Exterior Details (cont'd)
Other things that might be found outside:
Photos on this page collected from various on-line sources, including Google Images. Specific source not recorded at time of collection. Unable to locate exact photos again, so photographer contact info unknown.
EduTRAIN™
PUMP ISLAND
(c) 2014-2015 Gary Robinson EduTRAIN™
Check out this photo for details
INTERIOR DETAILS
(c) 2014-2015 Gary Robinson
In all shops:
►A workbench,
►tool boxes,
►a commercial air compressor (top right),
►floor jack(s) bottom, far right),
►a desk or counter,
►a cash register (bottom right),
►miscellaneous hand tools.
Photo collected from the Car Lounge Forum on-line, at http://forums.fourtitude.com.Contact info for photographer unavailable.
Photo collected from Middlesex, CT, Habitat for Humanity page at http://middlesexhabitatnews.blogspot.com/# Permission requested.
Photo collected from Google Images, attributable to A-1 Air Compressor Corp, http://www.a1air.com/. Permission requested.
EduTRAIN™
MORE INTERIOR DETAILS
There would be: one or more service bays,
and at least one may have a lift.
a welder,
an oxy-acetylene torch,
an anvil,
a vise,
a chain hoist,
a battery charger, and
a bench grinder could be found in most shops, (continued next slide)
(c) 2014-2015 Gary Robinson
Photos on this page collected from various on-line sources, including Google Images. Photographer attribution not available.
EduTRAIN™
a used oil receptacle, a lube grease pump, and axle
grease, spark plug cleaners, tire changers, a headlight screen, (see next
slide), a brake pot, and a parts cleaner
may be on hand, valve grinders, and other
specialized equipment, may be found depending on the level of service offered, and
fender covers, shop rags, and miscellaneous junk, including old batteries.
MORE INTERIOR DETAILS (CONT’D)
(c) 2014-2015 Gary Robinson
Photos on this page collected from various on-line sources, including Google Images. Photographer attribution not available.
EduTRAIN™
HEADLIGHT SCREEN
Headlight screenDiagram collected from the internet. Exact source unknown.
(c) 2014-2015 Gary Robinson
EduTRAIN™
MORE INTERIOR DETAILS (CONT’D)
Tire Service► Changing machine, or
► Tire irons and a rubber hammer;
► Tub Tube;
► Patching bench;
► Balancing tool (right), and
► Tires and wheels.
(c) 2014-2015 Gary Robinson
Photo collected from Google Images, attributable to http://www.harborfreight.com.
EduTRAIN™
GENERAL DETAILS
Other details: ► some provision for storage, of parts (spark plugs, oil filters,
fan belts, radiator hoses, etc.), supplies (oil, lube grease, etc.), and reference materials (service manuals).
► a selection of fan belts and radiator hoses.
► restrooms (optional).
► HVAC, including a method to evacuate exhaust gases.
► a waiting area, with chairs, low tables, and magazines or newspapers, might be found.
► a candy counter or machine, and a soda machine.
► an office area.
(c) 2014-2015 Gary Robinson EduTRAIN™
STAFF & CUSTOMERS
Staff: uniforms at company-owned stations, to give
motorists confidence, especially when in an unknown location.
independent, and smaller rural, locations may or may not have worn uniforms. However, coveralls or “bibbies” were common for mechanics.
Customers: should be dressed in appropriate period attire.
set up some plausible scenes inside and out.
(c) 2014-2015 Gary Robinson EduTRAIN™
SUMMARY
Exact details you use for your garage depend on several factors:
► Independent versus Company;
► Level of repairs performed; and
► Setting
► Urban
► Rural
Of course, they also depend on scale parts availability, or what you can scratch-build. Whatever your era, detail your garage and have fun!
(c) 2014-2015 Gary Robinson EduTRAIN™