Jump to content
 

Simple structures for "The bay"


Mikkel

4,265 views

001.jpg.fb877bb48488c5045fa65e5747d1ca28.jpg

 

In keeping with my happy-go-lucky approach, the buildings and structures for "The bay" were kit-bashed, scratch-built or otherwise put together using whatever materials, kits and parts I came across (you realize of course that this so-called "approach" is really just an excuse for my limited modelling skills). The parcels & cloak room seen above is loosely based on the wonderful wooden building style so typical of Didcot station. This was done by scoring the cut-to-shape plasticard sides and ends of the building to emulate the plankings, and then adding strips of further plasticard to give the panel effect. The roof is made from card strips. These simple techniques were copied from a similar old second-hand building I picked up a while back, from which some of the parts have been recycled.

 

 

 

002.jpg.c779e34b7d24cba8041d19add7145780.jpg

 

The canopy uses heavily modified parts from a number of Ratio Platform Canopy kits, purchased cheaply on E-bay. The valances are etched brass examples from Muswell Models, replacing the rather crude versions that come with the Ratio kits. By the way, the loco is my Armstrong Goods built by Chris Phillips from the old Nu-Cast kit. It has that revealing white-metal thickness, but it's a good old friend!

 

 

 

003.jpg.047e87264336cf723c92754cbcdad38b.jpg

 

The kit-bashed canopy included cutting up the Ratio roof parts to form one long continuous skylight as seen on many GWR canopys (illustrated above with original parts on top and modified below), and adding extra layers to the roof to widen the canopy and making the roof level with the skylights.

 

 

 

004.jpg.be660ecc61459ee78dc87164b55e85ef.jpg

 

The Ratio canopy supports are a fair representation of a widespread design that was also used at Newbury, so these were built as supplied, but with a rod-in-tube system built into the base which allows the canopy to be removed from the platform if necessary.

 

 

 

005.jpg.a52a0187640cb9356c826c8c473a43d5.jpg

 

The rough-and-ready water tower, less final details (laddder etc). It is based on a rough and simple design that was widespread on the GWR, including in the early years at Newbury (although that was a six-legged variant). The model was put together in an evening from bits and pieces from my scrap-box, including Ratio parts for the tank itself. I rather like these simple little projects, which contribute nicely to my objective of using as many existing or leftover parts as possible, while still drawing on prototypical features.

 

 

 

006.jpg.b0351bfe87261b55e6821e154e8af16d.jpg

 

The main platform was built using adapted Peco platform sides and edging, faced with brick-pattern Plastikard from Slaters. The surfacing is Wills Victorian stone paving, cut to shape and mounted between the Peco sides. I have always rather liked this kind of paving, which was used on the Newbury platforms and, of course, many other locations.

 

 

 

007.jpg.aa5d315bcb995a289055f0c6ff55996e.jpg

 

As for the brick embankment walling, I thought I'd experiment with some new options and used the vacuum formed plastic walling available from Langley. This is preformed and comes with four bays in each section. It is very lightweight and can be mounted with quick results. However the brickwork lacks the sharp crisp edges of plastic kits, which can be dissatisfying when viewed close up. On this particular layout I think it works out OK, but it may not be the best choice for embankments that are more visible at the front of a layout.

 

Edited by Mikkel

  • Like 4

8 Comments


Recommended Comments

  • RMweb Gold

Well it does actually have a gutter now - though not in the photo smile.gif

 

The drawings I have of the Didcot buildings do not in fact include measurements (which makes them somewhat useless, yes), and this is a generic model of the wooden style anyway - so I simply guesstimated the height.

 

Being Danish, I measure these things in centimeters - and the model itself is 4.4 cms to the gutter, which I believe is 1.7 inches.

Link to comment
  • RMweb Gold

Not as good as it sounds I'm afraid. These are just reproduced scaled down ones - a single page showing selected alterations and additions, in C.W. Judge's "An Historical Survey of the DN&SR: Track Layouts and Illustrations".?

Link to comment

I remember seeing this on the GWR Modelling site and thinking, what a great idea for a layout and secondly how good the shot under the canopy looked. Definitely an entry for the "How realistic are your models" thread - if anyone's going to start one.

 

Well done

 

Rovex

icon_clap.gif

Link to comment
  • RMweb Gold

Thanks Rovex. The layout has progressed a lot since the shot under the canopy, I'm just waiting to do the last bits of detailing and then I'll take some photos of the finished thing. Then it's on to the next layout in the "series" - currently considering whether that should be the carriage sidings or the engine shed.

Link to comment

Hi Mikkel,

The buildings look wonderful, as ever. It's reassuring that your approach to the platforms (Peco sides, brick plasticard and Wills paving) is the same as mine - means I can't have gone too far wrong!

This may be digging things up from many years back, but I don't suppose you happen to have any close-up photographs showing the relief and detail on the Langley retaining walls? I've been considering using these for Linton Town, but the lack of any decent photographs to be found makes me cautious, as I'm picky about such things as brick bonds, which restricts me from using the Hornby Skaledale or various laser-cut options, and I'm not a huge fan of printed card for brickwork.

Thanks!

Linny

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
  • RMweb Gold
Mikkel

Posted (edited)

Hi Linny, many thanks. I have continued to use the Langley retaining walls over the years, partly because they are quick but mostly to ensure uniformity across the Farthing layouts.

 

I do have reservations with them though. They are not particularly crisp and detailed, and the relief is limited, which also means that the mortar can be difficult to do using the usual "wash" method. Adjusting the height is also tricky, as it's difficult to cut the bottom whilst preserving a straight line because of the supports.

 

I just about manage in both cases though, and since they go at the back of the layout you don't really notice any issues. Here are some recent photos:

 

image.png.8c92650abfcfd0b4a3a772d1a75d97e4.png

 

image.png.9b1449063c1deb9316db646cb8b61da4.png

 

Edited by Mikkel
  • Thanks 1
  • Round of applause 1
Link to comment

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

×
×
  • Create New...