First go at Scratchbuilding and the new tree's
Entry posted by SNCF stephen
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In the past few weeks I have been adding in a few smaller pieces of details as well as construcing different types of trees. I did have a go at making my own armatures and although it was relatively successful I think my technique could do with being refined (don't panic I did not use any of those trees covered with sea moss...). However I was very pleased with the Woodland Scenics range of tree kits that are available. I purchased a pack of the smaller sized trees and found it to be relatively stress free. There are a few trees that didn't quite make the cut and are still in a box requiring some extra work but the success rate was quite high.
I have also constructed,in a modified form, a Kibri kit of a water tower. The original design was far too elaborate compared to those I had seen in France so some trimming away of the excess parts and simplifying the delivery spout was carried out. It does not look too bad. Now I am wondering whether to paint it or not? I also installed a track alongside the engine shed and the sidings and some smaller areas of grass.
However a step into the unknown was taken when I decided to have a go at scratchbuilding this week. I had purchased a book about 3 or 4 weeks ago on the subject and although I am not particularly confident in my ability in this area I thought I might as well get stuck in. Today I was doing some simple walls for what will be a large house which is in the middle of a cluster of 3 buildings I intend to scratchbuild. It is the simplest and by doing some of the simpler walls I thought I would ease myself into this new technique of modelling...
The walls are to have Quoins on the corners so I used some brick sheet (the kind that is probably more suitable for O gauge than N) to give the larger stones. I cut the full size walls out then the Quoins. The next thing to do was to cut out a section from the main walls that would allow the two to tessalate. To allow the walls to be a sturdy structure I used two pieces of 40 thou plasticard to back up the outer decorative section. The backing gave a decent backing for the Quoins and the wall to be married together.
I next attached the two sections together and hey presto I had my first two (albeit rather simple) walls for my house. I am going to complete the simpler walls and then have a go at the more complicated structure for the front of the house.
If anyone has any comments or tips I would be extremely grateful. The book I am using is good but it is focussed on one particular technique and I would appreciate hearing about others and/or tips from practical experience.
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