I`ve learnt to make a loco kit or two since the 1970`s but still hate the thought of making wooden staircases. So , whilst searching for my copy of J R Hartley`s book on fly fishing....... somebody remind me which TV add that came from !!

I came across some pics of most,not all, of my staicase signal box journey......

Don`t know about you , but I`ve mostly used and adapted plastic or etched windows and also the same for staircases, either butchering Ratio, Prototype(card kits) offerings from varius kits.....

Way back in the 1980`s I shrank a ratio signal box kit to emulate a more LSWR offering.... It only needed three steps on to the platform...... yes that is a famous working Jidenco LSWR railcar !!! remember those !!

I`m still searching for pics of a model of the original Swanage signal box I made next...........

Then on to The Brighton . This was the first layout to be completed of "Devil`s Dyke". D&S Models produced some etched 4mm LBSCR windows and these were used on the signal box the rest of which was in plasticard.

I was , of course, stumped when it came to making a model of `Cole` SDJR signal box. These had to be fabricated and somewhere I read an article on using Acrylic glazing sheets and WHSmiths`s white sticky back labels which are layered and cut out with a scalpel !!!!

I think this was the first time I needed to make a `gessometer` working drawing from limited photo`s.......

The staircase was a pain to get square.......

Still pinching parts from Ratio though as the valence is theirs........!!!! The last 4mm signal box build.

In 2008 I moved into 7mm modelling planning to utilise the embryonic RTR brass loco offerings. Way back then it was still possible to find real quality bargains on ebay.
In an effort to save time, I snapped up this signal box bargain made by forum member Gravy Train. Ive still got it , an excellent piece of 7mm modelling, saving me the trouble of making another staircase and awaiting use on a small diorama idea I have fermenting away !!!

Had the likes of Minerva , Lionheart, and dare I say Dapol been available then I would have stayed with RTR. So it has been back to building my own.
Back to using etched windows from Phoenix range to try my hand at 7mm scratch builds and another staircase!!!

My recent dabblings in things MR/LMS has had me trying laser cut mdf kits.

This is a Lasercraftdevon now taken over by Rail Model kit. Very accurate , very nice kit to build. Painted all the components before assembly.

Finally saved me from having to make my own windows and staircases.... Is this the way forward??

Just a little bit more finishing off to do.....

Will this be the last signal box build ?......

.I doubt it !!!!!