Diorama and Pilot Model Designed and Constructed by Brett Gallant Names, Logos, Designs and Photographs Owned and Copyright Brett Gallant
the Award Winning
Twin Mills at Deer Creek A Classic Double Entry Sawmill 25TH Anniversary Edition
Does Not include stripwood, dowel, or corrugated roofing
HO Scale Special Order Craftsman Kit Number 105
Updated with an Amazing Selection of 3D Printed Detail Parts!
Listen to Podcast Number Three
Information on the 25th Anniversary Release of the HO Scale Twin Mills at Deer Creek
The Twin Mills at Deer Creek has been featured in Model Railroader, Narrow Gauge and Shortline Gazette, Railroad Model Craftsman, and many other fine publications. It can be found on layouts all over the world as a focal point of a prototypical logging operation.The Twin Mills at Deer Creek has won more major awards than any craftsman kit, ever! Carl Laskey, Mike Engler, Elliot Moore, and Bill Obenauf have each won best of shows at national train shows with their versions of the Twin Mills. (And that's Just the Best of Show award winners!)Based upon the Pino Grande mill site of the California-Michigan Lumber Company, she represents a mill in her prime, suitable for a wide range of time periods and geographic locations. The Twin Mills is the most detailed sawmill complex ever created, true museum quality. (We do not throw that term around lightly, in fact we have never used it before!) All the details you have come to expect from our kits, prototypically accurate for real operations. Big Logs, big Shays, deep woods action with donkeys, loaders, spar trees, real logging!
The Main Cutting Floor
The main cutting floor with those wicked double blades. The saw carriage is also visible as it readies another log for a pass through the saw. The Twin Mills features a beautifully detailed set of sawmill machinery including a log haul, log deck, double blade circular saw husk, carriage, cutoff saw, live and dead rolls, a brick boiler and mill engine.
Double Entry Mill
In addition to the complete set of sawmill machinery, the Twin Mills includes a generous selection of additional interior details. The log pond is home to many supporting elements including a log pond boat and boat shed, and the dynamite shack. A large boiler house with tons of surrounding junk and clutter is also be included. This is a double entry mill, (one side for floating logs, the other for sinkers) open on several sides for full viewing of the interior. It is large enough to support a real logging railroad. The layout is very flexible and the various components can be rearranged to fit a wide range of spaces.
The Log Unloader
The A frame unloader and platform is home to the large unloading timbers, donkey engine, oil and water tanks, as well as a fully detailed tool shed. A small enclosure protects the donkey and her crew. A massive log brow dampens the force of the falling logs as they splash into the pond.
The Boat House and Dynamite Shack
The boat house is home to the small log pond boat. Detailed inside as well as outside, it is a favorite with its classic “barn” styling and simple shake shingled roof. The small piling with tires protect it from errant logs floating in the pond. The small dynamite shack is avoided by most; heck would you want to enter the tiny boarded-up structure?
The Burn Area and Slab Bin
Before the government became involved in "saving the environment", many mills disposed of their slab and sawdust waste in this simple manner. A short spur track is used to remove extra sawdust when the mill has been lucky enough to sell it for fuel to the locals. Note the two conveyors carrying the waste to the proper locations.
The Rough Drying Shed
This is a nice rear view of the right side. It is impossible to capture the “feel” if the diorama as a whole in photographs. A sawmill complex is truly the sum of its parts and this kit includes so many details. The various small stacks in this shot are outlets for excessive steam.
The Transfer Table
The left rear includes the transfer table and sorting platform. The large pile of discarded cut “cants” is a great touch and one easily modeled. The comprehensive instructions provides detailed information on how I created this realistic scene.
Twin Mills Overhead View and Map
1. The “old” mill is covered in plain, faded, white siding. It handles the logs that have sunk to the bottom of the pond. 2. The “new” mill is a classic open truss style. This provides plenty of room for the detailed machinery. The saw filers quarters is located on the second floor. 3. The log haul carries the logs into the mill. 4. The front dock is home to general clutter and the log carriage and track. The sunken logs are brought to the surface by the log pond boat then transferred to the carriage. Here they can be stored on the dry rollway or carried directly into the original mill. 5. The dry rollway is constructed of very heavy timbers. Logs are stored here until needed by the original mill. 6. The narrow dock winds it way around the log pond support structures. 7. The dynamite shack is used to store explosives. The windows are all boarded up and most mill employees avoid the area altogether! Surrounded by water, it is the safest location to keep such things. 8. The small boathouse is home to the log pond boat. The boathouse is fully detailed inside and out. The log pond boat is a pontoon style affair with a hand crank winch centered on its small deck. 9. The pond holds the seasons haul of logs, ready and waiting to be cut. 10. The A frame unloader and platform is home to the large unloading timbers, donkey engine, oil and water tanks, as well as a fully detailed tool shed. A small enclosure protects the donkey and her crew. 11. The massive log brow dampens the force of the falling logs as they splash into the pond. 12. The log pond dam. 13. Cut lumber is graded and sorted on the transfer table. A series of moveable cars sort the cut lumber as it is readied for transport to a finish mill. 14. The rough drying shed is used to store fresh cut lumber. 15. The sawdust shed is a temporary holding place for the mills waste. 16. The sawdust is carried over a spindly conveyor only to be dumped over the cement fire wall. 17. The slab is conveyored up to the slab bin where it is stored until needed to fuel the boilers. 18. The boiler house is home to a large boiler and mill engine.
HO Scale Twin Mills at Deer Creek Kit 105 | 25TH Anniversary Edition The Diorama Measures Approximately 36" x 36" $445 plus shipping and applicable taxes A $50 Deposit is Due Now, Upon Checkout Balance Due + Shipping Upon Shipment
The Twin Mills at Deer Creek 25TH Anniversary Edition Includes:
All of the original castings and machinery completely updated with 3D Printed Parts. The original manual, templates, and laser cut components styrene, brass wire, and brass chain. An amazing selection of original 3D Printed Details include: 3D Printed Sawmill Machinery 3D Printed Log Pond Boat 3D Printed AH&D Hoist Engine 3D Printed Transfer Cars 3D Printed Mill Engine 3D Printed Logging Blocks 3D Printed Detail Set
The Twin Mills at Deer Creek 25TH Anniversary Edition DOES NOT INCLUDE:
Stripwood (suppliers list included) Wood Doweling (from hardware store) Corrugated Roofing (suppliers list included)
$445 plus shipping and applicable taxes A $50 Deposit is Due Now, Upon Checkout Balance Due + Shipping Upon Shipment Click the Buy Now button to pay your $50 Deposit. Once your kit is ready, a balance due notice will be emailed. Deposits are non-refundable.
Before Placing Your non-refundable Deposit be sure to review what is and is not included in the kit
Detailed instructions written to supplement the manual that was included with your Twin Mills kit. Updated Sawmill Machinery, Mill Engine, and Loader topics are covered.
This pdf includes all the additional materials required to complete the Twin Mills: Stripwood, Wood Doweling, and Corrugated Roofing
I founded SierraWest in 1995 and have been a one man operation since day one. I make everything by hand to my exacting standards and know you will be pleased with your kit! I will never sacrifice quality for speed and always provide exceptional customer service and support including fast response to emails and phone calls. I am always here if you have any questions so please feel free to contact me anytime before or after you order. Thank you sincerely for you support!The attention to the smallest detail is evident. The story telling is paramount in the development of each new kit. Instructions are provided leading you through every phase of construction including tool selection, assembly, weathering and aging, diorama composition, and scenery creation and application. It is of the utmost of importance to me that the techniques I develop and utilize are reproducible for modelers of all experience levels. When you view the pictures of the Twin Mills remember this. SierraWest kits are unique in the level and amount of detail provided. Since all four sides are fully detailed, you have a ton of flexibility in placement and view-ability.
Here are just a few of the features of SierraWest kits: - Award Winning Board on Board Modeling Techniques - - Learn My Techniques for Multiple Types of Wood Siding, Masonry, Windows and Doors, and Roofing Materials - - Large Assortment of New Castings and Realistic Clutter - - Comprehensive Fully Illustrated Instructions - - Thoughtful Time-Tested Techniques that You Can Replicate to Advance your Skills and Confidence - - Industry First Laser Cut Jigs and Assembly Aids - - Intricate Laser Cut Windows, Doors, and Wall Framing - - Signs Meticulously Researched and Reproduced for Historical Accuracy and Time Period - - Laser Cut Shingles and Tarpapers -
