Project - O scale (1:48) Model of Oahu's Waipahu Store

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Photo 1 Copyright 2020 Nicholas Kalis
Model of Waipahu Store in O scale (1:48) by Nicholas Kalis
Before the styrene canopy has been installed.

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Photo 2
Project

Modeling the Canopy

Canopy How To:

  1. The canopy is a sandwich of cut to length standing seam Evergreen styrene 4524 Metal Roofing 1/2" spacing .040 Thick (two pieces) (which must be assembled) and Evergreen scale models styrene 9030 Plain .030" Thick (underneath).
  2. Cut Evergreen Scale Models 277 I-Beam 1/4" (.250) to length and glue to underside of canopy along rear edge
  3. I cut to length strip wood and painted
  4. and then glued a strip of wood on the façade;
  5. It was fit into the web of a styrene I-beam that was attached to the bottom of the canopy. 
Materials Used

Evergreen Scale Models
277 I-Beam 1/4" (.250)
4524 Metal Roofing 1/2" spacing .040 Thick
9030 Plain .030" Thick
Kappler
F-Scale Lumber 3x4 .148" x.197" x 24 KP1135FP24
Aeleen's
Tacky Glue 4 Fl Oz

History of Prototype

 The Waipahu store was built in its namesake town in 1920 (as is in bas relief on the top center of the building).
 My Modeled Town

I model the Oahu Sugar Company’s railroad in Fn3 (1:20.3) [See NGDU Issue 70 for a look at my layout in progress]. Waipahu was the business district for Oahu Sugar Company employees. I have modeled Waipahu in O scale because 1:20.3 would be a bit overwhelming and would not allow me to give an adequate picture of the town's size. My modeling consists of sidewalks and a series of craftsman kit false fronts and kit bashed structures. Photos I have confirm that the shopping district was quite busy with the streets crammed with parked cars (head in at an angle in most cases).


How I Built This Model

 On the internet, I found a few photos of the Waipahu Company Store but hit pay dirt with one photo that was crisp and dead-on front. Problem was there was a 1980s or so red sportscar parked in front. What to do? I used some photo manipulating software that came with my computer to “erase” the auto. Voile. I had a nice color photo which I printed and then attached with spray adhesive. 

 Results

This model consists of four layers of cardstock and styrene. It is located on my Fn3 (1:20.3) Oahu Sugar Company layout in the modeled town of Waipahu. I left out the stairs on the side of the building. Notice the smokestack in the background. The final step was a styrene sidewalk canopy; as best as I could make out the prototype color was a rusty red.

Revised April 22 2025

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