GERN modellers...

[doctorwayne]

For all of the people modelling GERN Industries, in one form or another, this Thread's for You. Post your pictures and comments or post a link to any work that you're doing that's related to GERN. Even if you've not yet got your version of GERN ready for public showing, stop by and introduce yourself, and maybe give us an outline of your plans. And for anybody who'd like to model GERN, simply look things over here, then send me a pm and I'll help you to get started. All scales and all skills, too, are welcome.

Wayne

To start things off, here are a couple of links to GERN threads.
The original Gibson Works, in Port Maitland, on my own layout:
If It's GERN, It's Good

The Burlinggame Works, of Gary S., on his Texas Division of GERN Industries:
GERN Industries Ltd. is on the move...

[iis612]

8/13/43, Saginaw, Michigan.
GERN, a North American manufacturer of "Flux", has announced plans to break ground on a new facility located in Saginaw, MI. With wartime rationing, and so many of our boys "Over There", construction will be slow going to say the least.
This announcement comes on the heals of Midland's, Dow Chemical announcement to scale back production of certain products "due to wartime material shortages".
David Delanski has been named the Michigan persident of operations by the CEO of GERN Ltd.. Delanski, a 38 year old Michigan native had just been discharged from the Army after receiving a purple heart, Meritorious Service Award, and several other commendations for his efforts in Italy with the 2nd Rangers.
"We are going to bring jobs to Saginaw. We will make Flux 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, if that is what it takes to support the war effort. We will move the product by rail, barge, and truck." Stated Delanski during a press conference held at the Potter Street Station on Tuesday.
GERN produces several types of Flux, which can be used to enhance several products. To support the war effort, GERN has announced the increased production of Medical Grade Flux, and Weapons Grade Flux. They state that it will not change the production level of Food Grade, Construction Grade, Fuel Grade, and Automotive Grade Flux.
Construcion will begin on the North Side of Potter Street along the banks of the Saginaw River, with rail service from Pere Marquette, and Saginaw, Flint & Eastern.
Anyone interested in Construction or manufacturing employment is encouraged to stop by the construction site.

[UP SD40-2]

In early 1936, GERN Industries Ltd. of Canada began to explore the possibility of building a new plant to serve the dairy industry of Wisconsin. The effects of the Great Depression were beginning to abate somewhat, and there was some government money available for industrial development. In conjunction with these occurrences, GERN Laboratories had developed a new additive for livestock feed which would increase milk production by up to 3%.
Construction started in the Spring of 1937, and by early summer of 1938, the plant was in full production.
Like all GERN branch plants, GERN of Southern Wisconsin was fairly automonous, and even more so when Canada went to war in September of 1939. All of GERN's Canadian operations moved production to weapons grade flux (3% more explosive), with a small capacity set aside for medicinal flux.
Meanwhile, the Wisconsin plant flourished, at least until Dec. 7, 1941, and in early 1942, the War Production Board ordered that all American plants of GERN direct their production towards the war effort.
The Wisconsin operation was involved mainly in the production of additives for aviation gasoline, and rubber compounds.
After the War, sales slumped badly, as the out-dated plant was unable to produce the newer variant of the feed additive that was now so much in demand. Fortunately, contacts made during wartime lead to new avenues of development within the automotive industry, and by 1951, GERN of Southern Wisconsin had developed a paint additive that made turquoise paint 3% more turquoisey. Unfortunately, it wasn't until the 1955 model year that this colour became popular. In the meantime, GERN was branching out into the field of lubricating additives, and in 1954, introduced ethylene difluxide, a gasoline enhancer that made automotive engines 3% more powerful.
Business was booming, and by 1963, the Wisconsin Works began an expansion project that continues to this day, proving once again that "If It's GERN, It's Good".

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GERN of Southern Wisconsin is located on my layout, the Rock Valley Sub, set in the time period of 1969-'79 . as it is in that time frame, like said above it has went through some upgrades, a new butler building has been added to the old GERN factory providing new offices, more work space, and a bigger distribution center .

GERN of southern Wisconsin receives Flux from its parent plant, and its brother/sister plants in various forms, liquid, granulated, powder, etc.
MY GERN plant then refines & processes the Flux for use in the Automotive industry.
Paint additives, wax additives, oil & gas additives, and fabric protection are just a few items made here at GERN of Southern Wisconsin . Ole Oliffson, a technician at the plant told me "With the new use of Space age micro-sphere Technologies, we are only beginning to scratch the surface of all the possibilities that GERN'S Flux has to offer" . Mr. Oliffsons partner Eric Munson, added that he is currently working on the newly found Phosphorous properties that GERN's Flux has when added to lacquer based liquids .

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SERIOUSLY,
My GERN is comprised of three Walthers kits, two of them i kitbashed together to make the "old" GERN, and the new add on is another Walther's kit. NONE of any of the kits are close to being completed yet, but now i have a plan, and really looking forward to working on this project . The plant has three tracks that serve it, and Union Pacific has the contract on all rail service to it . Just the simple fact i am working on a GERN, makes this project 100% more fun to do .

i will post links to my progress from time to time on this thread .
OH, and remember, "If it's GERN, it's GOOD"
-Deano

[doctorwayne]

It's great to see that GERN is expanding, and doing so in several different eras, all at the same time. I look forward to seeing more GERN modellers "coming out of the closet".

Wayne

[puddlejumper]

Dr Wayne... please excuse the ignorance of a newcomer, but what is GERN industries? What do they produce? Why is GERN so popular here on this forum? Is it pronounced Gern, or Jern? Y'know like Geep is pronounced Jeep? Would GERN Ind. be something you'd see east of ole' Miss.?

Thanks.

Dave

EDIT: I see GERN makes Flux. Like soldering flux? Not sure I understand.

[steamhead]

Dave...From what I understand, the GERN flux is a bit of a "wonder" product with applications in virtually all branches of industry....either as an additive to other products, or "stand-alone". Like the slogan (??) says..."If it's GERN, it's got to good..!!"
And, yes, you would see it east of ol' Miss....Actually...I'm sure some time soon it'll be seen in every corner of the world....!!

[doctorwayne]

Dave, if you go to the "Sticky" at the top of this Forum page, there are a couple of links there that might explain a few things about GERN (pronounced with a hard "G", as in Good) In the link to the original GERN, some of the info is a few pages into the Thread. There's also an old Thread somewhere that tells of the origins of GERN - if I can find it, I'll post a link. Anybody wanting to get in on modelling GERN, in one form or another, just contact me via pm.

Wayne

[Catt]

I am in the process of doing several freight cars for Gern Industries and it has occured to me that I don't have the slightest idea of what the reporting marks should/could be.Anybody else got a clue?

[doctorwayne]

I can help with that. The reporting marks are GILX (GERN Industries Limited), and if you let me know the car types and number of cars, I'll be happy to assign suitable car numbers - this is just to avoid having duplicate car numbers, as several GERN modellers have decided to also model some GERN rolling stock. I'm keeping a list to maintain some semblance of a "plan". Car types in-service include covered hoppers, tankcars, and, fairly recently, gondolas and boxcars, but you can expand on that if you wish. There is no commercial lettering available for these cars, so there's no lettering diagram or colour scheme either. Paint 'em any colour that you like, and letter them with any colour and style of lettering that you wish, with the reporting marks, numbers, and dimensional data arranged on the side of the car in the same manner as any prototype car.

Wayne

[Catt]

The cars that are currently in the paint shop are 1 50' double plugdoor boxcar ,1-4 bay center-flo and 2-2 bay center-flos.

Being as they are in today's setting the data is going to be minimal beyond the reporting marks and GERN plastered down both sides.

[Catt]

Here are pics of the first two cars,these are N scale FYI.



and



Both cars are modified Bachmann units.The boxcar was made from two 40' Hi cubes and uses a MDC Roundhouse frame for weight.

The hopper has a trough hatch grafted on form an old Precision Masters (now Red Caboose) PS-2 hopper.

The colour was supposed tyo match the tan that CSX uses but is mnot even close,but that's ok I like them anyway. I am also planning on atleast 2 HO cars and just for grins and giggles may do one for the On30 railroad too.

[jbaakko]

So anyone make an "official" Gern decal sheet yet???

[Catt]

No one has that I know of.I've got a couple places to check into (and permission to do) but have not had the time yet.

I've been planning on checking with Roland (Engineshop) to see if he could do the various logos in a couple different sizes.

[doctorwayne]

Catt, your GERN paint jobs turned out well: nicely understated and generating revenue, too!

Wayne

[bigsteel]

DW-does GERN's wonder flux have any applicatons in the steel mill industry? it would be awful sweet to see some GERN cars serving my steel mill. and if possible,does GERN need a dedicated coal mine? if so ill have one soon i can letter for'em thanks in advance.--josh