Research - Oahu Sugar Company Hospital, a black and white photograph



Photographer Unknown
Oahu Sugar Company Hospital, a black and white photograph.

Research

I model the Oahu Sugar Company - not all research for a model railroad involves photographs of the locomotives and rolling stock themselves. While I did not find room to incorporate a model of this Waipahu Oahu hospital on my Fn3 layout nor to include it on a backdrop, I still found this photograph (found on Ebay and elsewhere) instructive - it helps tell the story of how the company was a large part of employees' lives.  The Oahu Sugar Company provided housing to workers, organized sporting teams, provided medical care, and even had a company store. 

Those readers building a layout or considering to build one must grapple with this challenge of too much to tell in too small a physical area constantly. Layout builders should take heart in knowing that not all such model-genic structures can be incorporated into any layout. False flats and backdrop painting can sometimes work but not in most cases. There is a utility in any layout in keeping some areas open (called "negative space"). Your blogger would suggest that one keep photos such as these for a blog or web site describing their layout. Building a layout is an effort to tell a story. Not all the information collected during the research phase of layout building will find its way onto their layout. As blogs are pretty easy to set up - and free - they are the natural place to include parts of the story that one's layout could not accommodate.

If one wanted to model such a structure on their layout, what would the modeler need to include for a great model? The two men in the photograph could be included - be sure to include hats to set the time period. The static pose of the two men (one in a suit and the other in jacket and tie) make them a good choice for inclusion in a model - modeling people in active poses seldom works. Notice the species of trees. Note the style of fence, probably painted white. The surrounding area is nicely landscaped. One would need to have the modeled bushes neatly trimmed. Note the darker color of the tree trunk base in the foreground - a detail that is easy to miss in a model yet is so easy to accomplish with a brush and some darker paint. 

Also notice that the photo puts a lie to the stereotype that all trees in Hawaii were palm trees. Similarly, a layout depicting Oahu should steer clear of this stereotype. This rule of not indulging in stereotypes should apply to any layout. Of course, no layout depicting Oahu would be complete with some palm trees, but realism dictates that other trees be included (based on solid research of course). In your blogger's case, gum trees (also known as eucalyptus trees) are featured on his layout. Great modeling requires that research go beyond the stereotypes. 

As for the structure itself, the trim is likely painted white. Construction is likely of wood. Notice the veranda and its balustrade.

Also note what is absent, no automobile are parked in front.

Revised November 30 2020


Comments