Free Download: N Scale Coca-Cola Vending Machine

I ordered some supplies for my Mobil station — of all things, paint!  (I really need a hobby store near by!)

So in the meantime, I’ve been working on some “extra things” I’ll need for the gas station.  And what’s a gas station without a vending machine?  Especially a 1940s Mobil station without a Coca-Cola vending machine?

So I did some research and decided to model a Vendo 39 machine from the late 40s. The model above is probably from the early 50s.  I settled on a slightly different version from 1949 — even though I intend to place my railroad in 1947.  Since I’m not really a “rivet counter”, and most casual viewers won’t notice a two year discrepency on a minor detail like this, I’m okay with it.

To create the scale machine, I’ve designed the Vendo 39 in Adobe Photoshop based on measurements of the real machine.  1:1 size was 58″ tall, 27″ wide and 16″ deep.  The version I’ve created is saved at 300dpi, and printiing at actual size (don’t scale it) should give you a perfect 1:160 version of these measurement.

Free Printable Download
To save this image, simply right-click on it and select “Save As”.  You can then print it like any other image.  Again, make sure you’re printing at actual size to get a true N scale version.

Assembly
I haven’t actually assembled the Coke machine yet, but it should be pretty simple and straight forward.

The prototype had rounded corners.  To make building this (and sharing it) quick and easy, I’ve opted to remove the rounded corners, so assembly will really be nothing more that covering a small rectagular scrap of styrene. I have shaded the top and side of the machine in Photoshop so that you’ll be able to tell where the front panel should end.

It should also be easy enough to build a simple box from styrene and cover that if you don’t have extra scrap or an appropriately sized strip.

For an extra level of detail on this, I indend to build up the rectagular, vertical box on the right side of the front panel.  This is where money was accepted and dispensed and was raised above the surface of the front panel by several inches.

When all is prepared, I’ll probably just spay it with Dullcote and call it done.

 

Filed under: Free Downloads, Scratchbuilding , Free Downloads, model railroad, model railroading, N Scale, scale model, scratchbuild, Scratchbuilding, scratchbuilt, Vending Machine