Peterkern23 Posted May 24, 2017 Share Posted May 24, 2017 Building a disused signal box as the focal point of my layout. Using Carr signal box as a guide. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
allan downes Posted May 24, 2017 Share Posted May 24, 2017 (edited) This is going to be a truly awesome build Peter. What intrigued me was the stove pipe being located at the FRONT of the building but, as they say, and here's proof, that their's a prototype for everything. Can't wait for the next installment. Cheers. Allan Edited May 24, 2017 by allan downes Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peterkern23 Posted May 24, 2017 Author Share Posted May 24, 2017 (edited) Cheers allan! Here y'go! The door painted and the porch nears completion. Pretty happy, couple of grumbles but me just being picky I think. Edited May 24, 2017 by Peterkern23 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
allan downes Posted May 24, 2017 Share Posted May 24, 2017 All very nice Peter, but how about a photo of the model ? Cheers. Allan. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sb67 Posted May 24, 2017 Share Posted May 24, 2017 That looks fantastic so far, looking forward to seeing the rest of it built. Steve. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peterkern23 Posted May 24, 2017 Author Share Posted May 24, 2017 Ahh you got me. I'm a cheater. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peterkern23 Posted May 24, 2017 Author Share Posted May 24, 2017 The stairs are very tricky to get right. I tried all sorts to get them even and true. Not so easy when there are 3 axis to get straight across as a diagonal slope! How does anyone else do stairs on a scratchbuilt box? Allan - you're the signal box legend, yours always look awesome, how is it done so neatly? I had to resort to building a rig from styrene strips that had to be cut away afterwards. Not bad results but took a whole evening to get right. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
allan downes Posted May 25, 2017 Share Posted May 25, 2017 (edited) The stairs are very tricky to get right. I tried all sorts to get them even and true. Not so easy when there are 3 axis to get straight across as a diagonal slope! How does anyone else do stairs on a scratchbuilt box? Allan - you're the signal box legend, yours always look awesome, how is it done so neatly? I had to resort to building a rig from styrene strips that had to be cut away afterwards. Not bad results but took a whole evening to get right.IMG_2934.JPGIMG_2935.JPGIMG_2936.JPGIMG_2938.JPG Simple, mate. Cheat. Freestone models provide a signal box detailing kit both in 4 and 7mm which includes stairs and handrails ( Jerry, 01993 775979 ) or alternatively, Plastruct. Plastruct 4mm stairs come in 150mm lengths ready assembled ( cat number 90662 )) and handrails to match ( cat number 90692 ) both found on ebay. Anyway, I'm not the signal box legend, Peter Leyland ( Gravy Train ) is. Cheers. Allan Edited May 25, 2017 by allan downes 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
allan downes Posted May 25, 2017 Share Posted May 25, 2017 Here be they. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkeysarefun Posted May 25, 2017 Share Posted May 25, 2017 (edited) I've never built a signal box but have done model ship ladders, which I think look the same? These are usually built from timber, I use a jig, (mines 10mm MDF but you could use something else if you dont have the tools to cut small slots in timber): To avoid having to cut the slots at an angle, you can cut them vertically, then cut out the jig at the correct angle (as per red outline in this badly drawn picture) There are other techniques if you trawl model ship sites, and you used to be able to get jigs like this from model ship suppliers, though standard ship scales are 1'8th inch to the foot. which would be a bit small for 4mm.. And if you were only doing one then the Allan Downes method above makes the most sense! Edited May 25, 2017 by monkeysarefun Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggesford box Posted June 19, 2017 Share Posted June 19, 2017 This is going to be a truly awesome build Peter. What intrigued me was the stove pipe being located at the FRONT of the building but, as they say, and here's proof, that their's a prototype for everything. Can't wait for the next installment. Cheers. Allan Probably means the lever frame is at the back of the box. Banbury North is an example that springs readily to mind but there where numerous others. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peterkern23 Posted February 10, 2018 Author Share Posted February 10, 2018 Really slow burner! Been working some more on my signal box today, seeing as the weather is so dreadful. All made scratchbuilt from platicard and balsa, hand painted and weathered. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peterkern23 Posted February 13, 2018 Author Share Posted February 13, 2018 (edited) For the brickwork I’m going to turn to my plaster mold method. I have made a mold of my own bricks, scribed by hand. This can create a wall that equates to a scale of around a foot thick, which makes for more realistic window apertures and doorways. I was disappointed by the brick sheets on the market, I always thought the bricks were too big or not the right shape. A long and arduous process to create this but now I have a mold I can cast walls quickly to my own spec. The signal box brickwork will need some modification as there are features on the front facade. This mold is cast in two-part silicone that should last for 50+ pulls. Cost about £15. The plaster is giftware grade hydrocal R - a very nice product to shape and paint. It tends to allow for a Matt finish which is perfect. For those of you who haven’t seen my finished brickwork before, the finish is like this: Edited February 13, 2018 by Peterkern23 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bgman Posted February 13, 2018 Share Posted February 13, 2018 (edited) Judging from your previous models I'm sure this will be another excellent one when finished. I do like your approach to modelling, very realistic. Grahame Edited February 13, 2018 by bgman Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peterkern23 Posted February 21, 2018 Author Share Posted February 21, 2018 Thanks bgman. I’m calling the top of my box finished and weathered. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bgman Posted February 22, 2018 Share Posted February 22, 2018 I do love the small almost hidden details which give this a totally realistic and believable aura, excellent modelling. More please as and when Grahame Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bgman Posted February 22, 2018 Share Posted February 22, 2018 Sorry, I meant to ask how you achieved the realistic lead roofing, I ask because I intent to replicate a lead sheet roof soon and would be grateful if you would share the technique with us. Grahame Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peterkern23 Posted February 22, 2018 Author Share Posted February 22, 2018 Thanks again Grahame, Lead is reasonably easy to reproduce. I personally use “green stuff” but it’s tricky to work with. There’s no reason why you couldn’t use stick labels carefully cut to shape. Then you would paint it Matt black and using a very sharp and soft pencil, colour it in with it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bgman Posted February 22, 2018 Share Posted February 22, 2018 (edited) Thanks again Grahame, Lead is reasonably easy to reproduce. I personally use “green stuff” but it’s tricky to work with. There’s no reason why you couldn’t use stick labels carefully cut to shape. Then you would paint it Matt black and using a very sharp and soft pencil, colour it in with it. I have recently re-read a superb book by Emmanuel Nouaillier, who produces superb models and techniques and uses Humbrol enamels mixed with various Mig products plus other ancillary materials amongst which is graphite to get a realistic lead finish to roofs etc. I may try both yours and his methods to see how I get on. Thank you. Grahame Just two examples of his work for interest ... Edited February 22, 2018 by bgman Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
allan downes Posted February 22, 2018 Share Posted February 22, 2018 I would say that Peter Kern's work is well on par with that of Chuck Doan. Check his work out here. Model and Diorama projects | Chuck Doan | Fotki.com, photo and ... https://public.fotki.com/ChuckDoan/model_projects/ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peterkern23 Posted February 22, 2018 Author Share Posted February 22, 2018 Cheers Allan, hope you’re okay? His work is lovely isn’t it? A bit bigger than I’m used to, he’s rightly chosen the right scales to work with I think, much like yourself. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peterkern23 Posted March 8, 2018 Author Share Posted March 8, 2018 Signal box brickwork underway. Using giftware plaster, a router and a dremel. Also a spot of Lilliput clay, a knife and some spittle for the window bricks lintels. Gone a bit cross eyed doing this. So glad there are only two walls that feature any detail! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
allan downes Posted March 8, 2018 Share Posted March 8, 2018 Outstanding work as usual, Peter. Cheers. Allan. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peterkern23 Posted March 12, 2019 Author Share Posted March 12, 2019 Back again - only a year in between posts. It’s all fun. Done some more work to the windows on my brickwork. Attempting to stick to the abandoned look, I’ve added smashed glass to the panes. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peterkern23 Posted March 12, 2019 Author Share Posted March 12, 2019 Also, for anyone interested I have been working on some grass strips that I intend to turn into a little business. If you’re interested try this link to the small suppliers section. https://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/forum/9-smaller-suppliers/ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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