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Challenge Anneka!

andyram

Entry posted by andyram

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RMWeb uses of a certain age will probably remember a television programme by the name of "Challenge Anneka." Anneka Rice, fresh from leaving Treasure Hunt, squeezed her then shapely rear end back into a jumpsuit to race around the country. Instead of looking for clues she attempted to help different good causes by attempting to complete projects in a seemingly impossible time.

This week I felt like I was facing a similar impossible task. The model railway show is now just a few days away and Skaleby West still needed a lot of work. That gap remained as I turned the calendar over to the month of November. I knew that time was running out and I needed to get the job done. The early days of half term had been blighted by household chores and a baby daughter who would not sleep. The half made kit of the good's shed was still on the desk, gradually falling apart. But time was running out and any hope of starting from scratch seemed to be out of the question.

On the Thursday of half term I set myself the task of filling the gap and finishing the job. I set to work at 1pm, with a target of finishing the job by the time my wife arrived home at 9pm. This really was a "Challenge Anneka" moment.

 

1.00pm. I set to work repairing the good's shed kit and adding some interior detail. I added some "goods" to the interior including some barrels and sacks.

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2.00pm. I test fitted the building into the gap. A cork base was laid to raise the building's height to the correct level for the track. Cork was also laid behind the good's siding as I had to extend the siding slightly in order for a wagon to reach the unloading platform.

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3.00pm. I cut polystyrene blocks to the height of the unloading platform and glued these on both sides of the building to provide a larger platform. Rolled up pieces of newspaper were then glued around the rear of the sidings and across the front to form the base for a small embankment.

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4.00pm. Plaster bandage was laid over the top of the polystyrene and the newspaper. I used some Metcalfe stone sheets to form the platform edges.

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5.00pm. The building was removed from the layout and the bandage was then painted in brown poster paint to provide a base for scenic work. This was left to dry.

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7.00pm. A layer of hanging basket liner was then glued over the top of the dry poster paint. This was covered in a generous amount of Noch static grass. A thin layer of Noch rock compound was mixed and then brushed over the platform area to represent a concrete base.

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8.00pm I then attempted to finish building the kit. I cut and added the roof and guttering. This did not work well at all. I now realise the card I used was far too thin. It just absorbed the glue, became soggy and would not fit together at all. When I finally placed the building back onto the layout I have to admit my heart sank. It looked awful! The print was fading, the building would not stand straight, the walls sagged and the roof would not stay attached to the walls. It looked a wreck. I decided to try and develop the scene to make the building look like it was supposed to be run down. I added plenty of lichen and scenic flock materials to try and represent an overgrown and run down good's building. This was the finished effect. I am sure you will agree that it looks dreadful. By now my 9pm deadline had been reached so I had to admit that I had failed in my challenge.

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But what to do?

The show was just over a week away and I was not sure what time I had to put things right. It gave me a few sleepless moments that night. I still had to tackle the additional detail for the rest of the layout and complete the fiddle yard. But I could not leave it like that.

 

The following day after a night in the pub had been cancelled I embarked on a scratch building project. I used the kit as a template and then cut new walls from a sheet of Metcalfe stone. Glued onto some thicker card I gradually built a replacement shed. This took me a couple of hours. It is not great, but after some detailing I think it looks a little better. I still need to finish and attach the roof.

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Until next time...

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Guest 40-something

Guest 40-something

Posted

Challenge Anneka, wow, the subject of many a teen fantasy. That blue jumpsuit....

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andyram

Indeed! They filmed one in Derby City Centre back in 1991 / 92. I happened to see Anneka and said jump suit whilst I was out of the office running an errand. From a 16 year old office junior's point of view it looked just as good in the flesh!

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andyram

Yes, I think it was on the Kent and East Sussex Railway. Laying an extension into a station, although I can't remember which station.

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Platform 1

Mmm, yes, Anneka...

 

But this is a great post because it shows modelling as it happens and that people's efforts don't always look like Liverpool Lime Street or Manchester Central (which are fantastic but can be demotivating). Most of my efforts look like your Goods Shed Mark 1, so full marks for telling it like it is!

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andyram

Thanks. I am glad you like the post. I am very much a beginner, and I am learning modelling skills as I go along. Goods Shed Mark 2 is only a little better and will be replaced at some point in the future, but not before the Weston-on-Trent show.

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devondynosoar118

MK 2 looks ok, if you put some strips of tile over the edges of the roof where it meets the wall and colour in the visible card on the corners it could look even better. Well done for showing the warts and all version too, I have made 2 attempts at my station building now and neither made better models than shed 1!

Good luck with the show too.

I always liked annekas beach buggy more than the rest of the show, sad case that I am!

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andyram

MK 2 looks ok, if you put some strips of tile over the edges of the roof where it meets the wall and colour in the visible card on the corners it could look even better. Well done for showing the warts and all version too, I have made 2 attempts at my station building now and neither made better models than shed 1!

 

Thanks for advice. The goods shed roof is not attached yet as I still have some interior detail to add. I'll certainly take your advice on the extra detail. Will post an updated photo if I have the time before the show.

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