Popular Post kirtleypete Posted November 30, 2017 Popular Post Share Posted November 30, 2017 I am working on a commission to build part of Birmingham Snow Hill as a 7mm scale diorama on three boards, which will model the full extent of the overall roof. At a later date it will probably be extended to complete the platform area. For those not familiar with the station, this is what I have taken on............... The biggest challenge has been working out exactly how it all fitted together, but happily it was all built with standard parts and dimensions. The crucial one was the distance of 34 feet between the upright columns. The diorama will reproduce this area, but only platforms 7/8 will be full width. I have begin by building the platform buildings, which will in turn support the roof girders. Once the buildings are done I can work out the exact size of the boards and get those built and the track laid. The structure is all plastic, and I have produced a brick paper especially for the project; the real thing used dark red glazed bricks. The period of the model is around 1930 when things were still reasonably clean, though the buildings will be toned down when they are all finished. I'm going to need 64 of those Plastruct girders! The other parts for the roof are being laser cut in plastic. These buildings are the booking office, ladies toilets and first class waiting rooms on platform 7/8. I found a picture of an old tinplate Wymans bookstall so I copied the colours from that. I like the way it was built around the column. I still need to add door knobs and several notices, as well as finishing the right hand end. Peter 29 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Prism Posted November 30, 2017 Share Posted November 30, 2017 Crikey. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
two tone green Posted November 30, 2017 Share Posted November 30, 2017 Wow ! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Killybegs Posted November 30, 2017 Share Posted November 30, 2017 I'm going to need 64 of those Plastruct girders! The other parts for the roof are being laser cut in plastic. If you are laser cutting the other parts of the roof, would it not be sensible to also laser cut the components for the girders to match the prototype while you are at it? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Siberian Snooper Posted November 30, 2017 RMweb Premium Share Posted November 30, 2017 I look forward to following this amazing project. That first building is fantastic. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jintyman Posted November 30, 2017 Share Posted November 30, 2017 Excellent modelling. Awesome project. Jinty Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirtleypete Posted November 30, 2017 Author Share Posted November 30, 2017 I thought about laser cutting the girders, but they would have to be in three overlays and it would be incredibly expensive. I can beef up the Plastruct ones to look very close to the originals. Peter 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BG John Posted November 30, 2017 Share Posted November 30, 2017 Have you considered a cheap CNC engraving/milling machine? I haven't got mine working yet, but it should be able to handle thick plasticard, acrylic and thin MDF. For £200, I'm hoping it can do a lot of things an expensive laser cutter could do, but at a fraction of the cost of my own laser, or the prices charged by others to do it for me. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Blandford1969 Posted November 30, 2017 RMweb Premium Share Posted November 30, 2017 Incredible. Does that mean you have got plans for the whole station? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirtleypete Posted November 30, 2017 Author Share Posted November 30, 2017 Sadly not, only bits and pieces of it. The good thing is that most of the dimensions seem to have been standardised, mainly to fit around the roof columns. Regarding the roof girders, the main constraint is time...I've got 64 girders here ready to fit. If I made my own I'd be there forever. If I was building it for myself it wouldn't matter, but I've got a deadline to meet. Peter Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
81A Oldoak Posted November 30, 2017 Share Posted November 30, 2017 To think that once upon a time in what seems like a galaxy far, far away I contemplated doing Snow Hill in 4mm scale. I shall follow this thread with relish. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Dan Randall Posted November 30, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 30, 2017 (edited) I've always thought Snow Hill a magnificent station and wish I could have seen it for real, but not being born until 1960, I kind of missed the boat. If I had the time, space and money, I would love to have a stab at it in 7mm myself. I look forward to following your progress. Regards Dan Edited November 30, 2017 by Dan Randall Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-UnitMad Posted November 30, 2017 Share Posted November 30, 2017 (edited) Born in '67, I only remember it as a derelict car park. If only the new Snow Hill had recaptured some of that old glory. Edit: truly awesome project! Will it go on display anywhere? Edited November 30, 2017 by F-UnitMad Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJD Posted December 1, 2017 Share Posted December 1, 2017 Bostin werk, our kid. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clearwater Posted December 1, 2017 Share Posted December 1, 2017 Bostin werk, our kid. Aye - it bay bad Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
alant Posted December 1, 2017 Share Posted December 1, 2017 An interesting project Peter. Will follow with interest. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirtleypete Posted December 1, 2017 Author Share Posted December 1, 2017 It will be exhibited, I'm sure, that's the intention behind having it built. Peter 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
muddys-blues Posted December 1, 2017 Share Posted December 1, 2017 Wow .... just wow !!! Craig Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sp1 Posted December 1, 2017 Share Posted December 1, 2017 Wow Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirtleypete Posted December 3, 2017 Author Share Posted December 3, 2017 I've made more progress with the section I'm working on. The Plastruct roof girders have been strengthened and modified: Only another sixty to do! The building has been finished and fixed to the platform. Once that was in place it was possible to trial fit the roof girders, which slot into the hollow uprights. Naturally each one is a slightly different size due to the curve of the rear face of the platform. I need to wait for the laser cut parts for the roof to arrive now before I can finish this section off; then I can use it as a template for the rest of the model. I'm at the stage now of being able to make the baseboard for this section. Peter 13 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Siberian Snooper Posted December 3, 2017 RMweb Premium Share Posted December 3, 2017 Excellent modelling. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post kirtleypete Posted December 5, 2017 Author Popular Post Share Posted December 5, 2017 I've got the platform on it's baseboards now, 3' 6" by 3' 3" and a quarter of the finished model. The sample laser cut parts have arrived from York Modelmaking, so I've been able to do a bit of the roof. The finished model will be viewed through the slot in the front panel - this is just lightly tacked in place at the moment. The next job is to finish the glass screen that runs along the back, and then that can be fixed in place and connected to the roof girders. The screen is one long piece of 3mm clear polystyrene which I but from B&Q. The view from the front through the slot in the plywood panel; it forces you to get down to platform level rather then looking down on the model from above. It also means that I don't need to model the top of the roof! Peter 21 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
3 link Posted December 5, 2017 Share Posted December 5, 2017 Looks amazing Peter, could you please explain how you went about building the platforms , they look spot on. Regards, Martyn. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold jcarta Posted December 5, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 5, 2017 This project is going to look amazing..... Simply stunning Jim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Northroader Posted December 5, 2017 RMweb Premium Share Posted December 5, 2017 Putting it in the cameo competition? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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