iL Dottore Posted October 9, 2011 Share Posted October 9, 2011 The title to this post comes from an old saying ChrisF quoted at me: namely about turning a Sow's Ear into A Silk Purse... Anyway, having put Mr Brunel's Hat on the back burner for a bit (it needs more concentration and higher standard of modelling than I am willing to give to it right now), I decided to build a GWR Signal Box as a bit of light relief (and it's something I can bin if I don't like the outcome). This model was put out by Heljan quite a few years ago. Although an HO model, it will also work as a 4mm model. The kit IS certainly showing its age and is rather crude ((hence the Sow's Ear soubriquet) with thick window bars, completely incorrect roof, no internal floor or partitions, thick frosted plastic "glazing", etc., etc. So first off I assembled the base and added a floor as well as painting the cabin walls white and the locking room walls black: I thinned down the window bars (a bit crudely I know, but acceptable at about a foot [or further] away. Having washed the white plastic with a white acrylic wash (this removes the shiny plasticky finish and will save me from having to paint the window frames when I paint the wood part of the signall box cabin), I then tack-welded the box together: However, as can be seen below, the fit is rather crude and I will need to do a lot of sanding and cleaning up before finally assemby As always comments and critiques welcome F Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Worsdell forever Posted October 9, 2011 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 9, 2011 Although I'm no expert in the GWR in any way, the front windows look to be upside down, should the 'arch' bit be at the top? Anyway, best of luck with the build. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Oldddudders Posted October 9, 2011 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 9, 2011 Sorry, Flavio, but I have to side with Mr Gallon! Hopefully you can remedy that at this early stage? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
iL Dottore Posted October 9, 2011 Author Share Posted October 9, 2011 Gentlemen, you are quite right - my mistake. Fortunately, I just tacked the box superstructure together in order to check the fit. Talk about missing the flaming obvious! Obviously, it will be corrected F Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Stationmaster Posted October 9, 2011 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 9, 2011 There are two problems with the windows - firstly I too think they are upside down. But secondly they don't look much like even the McKenzie & Holland pattern found on a number of GWR 'boxes (as in the Ratio kit) let alone the correct Reading pattern. I'm not sure of the answer to this but etchings of both types have been available over the years and might still be around (eg http://www.s11681017...session*id*val* ) - if they are going to fit the Heljan carcass. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
iL Dottore Posted October 9, 2011 Author Share Posted October 9, 2011 There are two problems with the windows - firstly I too think they are upside down. But secondly they don't look much like even the McKenzie & Holland pattern found on a number of GWR 'boxes (as in the Ratio kit) let alone the correct Reading pattern. I'm not sure of the answer to this but etchings of both types have been available over the years and might still be around (eg http://www.s11681017...session*id*val* ) - if they are going to fit the Heljan carcass. Very good point, Mike. I do know that the window IS upside down (see my post above), but I didn't consider the window frames themselves as being non prototypical (to be honest, I hadn't thought that far ahead...). Cutting out the windows and then replacing them with etches (or getting some etches made) is now an option for me. However, it all boils down to how much I want to invest in the upgrade. Both in time and money, given that the kit was bought quite some time ago as a "could be interesting" model and has already been plundered for spare part.... F Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LNERGE Posted October 9, 2011 Share Posted October 9, 2011 There are two problems with the windows - firstly I too think they are upside down. But secondly they don't look much like even the McKenzie & Holland pattern found on a number of GWR 'boxes (as in the Ratio kit) let alone the correct Reading pattern. I'm not sure of the answer to this but etchings of both types have been available over the years and might still be around (eg http://www.s11681017...session*id*val* ) - if they are going to fit the Heljan carcass. There have been several mentions of GWR in this subject. I always thought this kit was based on Biggleswade South? http://signalbox.org/gallery/e/biggleswadesth.php Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Stationmaster Posted October 9, 2011 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 9, 2011 There have been several mentions of GWR in this subject. I always thought this kit was based on Biggleswade South? http://signalbox.org...gleswadesth.php It could well be as it shows very few signs of being based on anything GW. But if anyone can turn into a silk purse I reckon Flavio might be the man. Looking closely at the pics it might be feasible to give the window frames the appearance of '9x9' GW frames with a bit of rubbing back and building up with Microstrip/similar. The brickwork looks to be plain bond so is probably incorrect for most British 19th century 'boxes but a little touch of blue in the right places can have an amazing effect in transforming plain bond to something looking much more puissant. Biggest hint of GNR is the roof pitch but even that might not be beyond some doctoring and with some new locking room windows, or even 'bricking them up' a further change can be rung in. But it's Flavio's signalbox so what he does with it is up to him. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
iL Dottore Posted October 10, 2011 Author Share Posted October 10, 2011 I was only thinking GWR because (a) I hadn't really looked closely at the box and (B) because the printed signal box names that came with the kit are all GWR names. So, GNR it is. More when back from Hols. F Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Oldddudders Posted October 10, 2011 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 10, 2011 Biggest hint of GNR is the roof pitch but even that might not be beyond some doctoring Quite! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LNERGE Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 If you go down the GNR route with this box i do have a fair bit of paperwork/box diagrams for Biggleswade South. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Oldddudders Posted October 10, 2011 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 10, 2011 If you go down the GNR route with this box i do have a fair bit of paperwork/box diagrams for Biggleswade South. Il Dottore is currently on an ICE to Berlin, back on the 20th, I believe. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
iL Dottore Posted October 10, 2011 Author Share Posted October 10, 2011 Hi LNERGE, I will make the box as a GNR box, I'll be in touch when back from Berlin. I certainly will pick your brains on tjos, many thanks for the kind offer. Incidentally, As I am not modelling GNR I will be disposing of the box when it's finished... ps ICE was pleasant (but no Cheltenham Flyer) although delayed an hour outside Berlin due to vandalism... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brossard Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 There appear to be some extremely useful etches here: http://www.modelexmodelrailways.co.uk/ Go to "Churchward Models" and stock number CM61 which is a set of Mackenzie & Holland windows and doors. John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Captain Kernow Posted October 14, 2011 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 14, 2011 There appear to be some extremely useful etches here: http://www.modelexmodelrailways.co.uk/ Go to "Churchward Models" and stock number CM61 which is a set of Mackenzie & Holland windows and doors. John Churchward Models/Modelex windows are excellent. I normally just clean 'em up and spray them with Halfords white primer (for windows that are supposed to be white), leaving the rear of the etch as unpainted metal, to assist with affixing them to the glazing material. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rugd1022 Posted October 14, 2011 Share Posted October 14, 2011 CK - could you let me know the dimensions of the Churchward Models / Modelex etched frames please? I have a little side project edging it's way gingerly towards the workbench at present and these might fit the bill. Thanks in advance Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Captain Kernow Posted October 15, 2011 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 15, 2011 NIdge - which ones are you after, I've used the Ratio replacement once on Bleakhouse Road and the Midland ones on Callow Lane - presumably the former? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rugd1022 Posted October 16, 2011 Share Posted October 16, 2011 NIdge - which ones are you after, I've used the Ratio replacement once on Bleakhouse Road and the Midland ones on Callow Lane - presumably the former? Morning CK...yes guvnor, the former would suit I guess, thanks. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unchuffed Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 I picked up one of these from ebay a couple of weeks back (for £2.00) - it's actually the same as the Knightwing box. I'm thinking of doing something along the lines of Dalnaspidal http://www.signalbox...dalnaspidal.php or Dunkeld (with simpler brickwork) http://www.railbrit....te2.php?id=5754 , It will involve major reworking of the windows, I've been drawing up patterns on power point and eying the microstrip with some trepidation.. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LNERGE Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 I must get me one of these. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
iL Dottore Posted October 20, 2011 Author Share Posted October 20, 2011 Well, I'm back! I have decided to complete the box as a GNR box and for the brickwork, I might try wrapping the brick base in brick paper (Christos in 4mm perhaps?), or gouging out mortar courses with a fine sharpened screwdriver but whether or not I'll modify the brickwork into something more British, remains to be seen (although, as the stationmaster has pointed out, much can be achieved by a coat of paint). The idea behind this upgrade is to do as little as possible to achieve a reasonably good model at minimum cost (both time and money) Pictures to follow in due course F Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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