Fred's comment has me thinking back once again on this subject of repurposed railroad bridges:

Something I also wanted to mention would be that the smaller scale RR truss bridges would make excellent roof support trusses when building factory, industrial or motor pool diorama structures in 1/35th or larger scales.

Here is a model system using laser cut wood or heavy card stock that I recently found on eBay. While this particular building system may not be the best on realism, it does provide a good illustration for what I had in mind.





I am considering doing such a dio with my M4 High Speed Tractor to which I have added considerable engine detail. This cut-away motor pool setting would allow me to realistically set the ammo storage box to the side and expose the added detail of the engine.

Reminds me of tank turret repair school at Aberdeen in the mid 80’s, those big industrial buildings with the bridge cranes overhead, fond memories.

Ditto, I spent a lot of volunteer time in the motor pool buildings at Knox that were operated by the Patton Museum restoration staff.




Bridge crane is just above.


I plan to pose the ammo storage locker of my HST as being off-set onto turret stands while work progresses on the M4's engine.


Nice little A-frame, chain hoist, gantry crane I can model as well.

I’d sell my soul to do that kind of work. 😢

Sometimes working at the Museum on Knox, I felt like a wartime defense worker.

Me and a buddy of mine reinstalled/repaired/restored the como and radios in a Stuart and two Shermans for the Museum. Here we were working in a WWII era motor pool on a restored and running WWII tank. We had NOS parts and were opening packages that still looked brand new. To top it all off I was using my Dad's tool set from when he worked for Vultee Aircraft Corp. during the war on B-24's!




Vultee required that every worker engrave each tool with their name. So I know that every tool with my Dad's monogram it in this toolbox worked on B-24's! The riveted aluminum plates were added to the toolbox so it would also double as a step stool.

Wow, that’s crazy! In a very good way

I have grown up with those tools always in my life and in my hands. I cherish them as much as any young girl ever cherished their Mother's pattern china or a christening dress or the dress they were married in.

OK, maybe I am over the top now just a bit.

Another "Motor Pool" shop example. (Found on line, author unknown.)