16A

What a great surprise finding this thread! It's been a dream of mine modelling Shireborook in 4mm for years, still struggling to get the templot design from the same plan you have there. I'll be following this with great interest.

Plenty of pictures here for reference.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/16418497@N03/albums

Adriano

Here are a few more of Shirebrook. I've been wanting to model this for a while. Look forward to seeing these progress.

https://flic.kr/p/b7S4vX

https://flic.kr/p/b7SeeR

https://flic.kr/p/b7Smsa

https://flic.kr/p/b7SkMV

https://flic.kr/p/eSMW2J

Adriano

What an improvement on the original cab front, it definitely looks the part. 

Simon, any indication on when you'll be able to start selling these and how much? I would also be interested in 25/1 cabs.

Adriano

Looking good! What are you using for the translucent plastic?

Adriano

Good to see CATIA being put to good use for once, makes a change from planes and F1 chassis! Are you managing it in SmartTeam too? lol

Who knows, I might have even trained you on V5.

Great bit of modelling going on there, look forward to seeing more.

Adriano

How frustrating. This topic has been moved to the bowels of RMweb!!!! I have made a new direct link to your thread so I can continue to watch in awe instead of trawling through about 75 topic categories. I would have thought Layout Topics would cover the building of the bits that go on the layout?

 

Rant over - back to fighting with Flash animations (don't ask).

Have you tried 'watching' this subject? You can set it to send you an email each time the thread is updated. Just a thought!

Adriano

Thanks Ron, very informative. Just to give you an idea I want to model a modern diesel shed. I can figure the horizontal dimensions using either google earth or the planning portal. Where I am struggling (only slightly I admit) is with the vertical dimensions. No doubt I could approximate the height of a common feature such as a door frame and then scale the rest from that so nothing too difficult but I would like to be as accurate as possible. I guess the best option would be to take a tape measure to the original!

Thanks again,

Adriano

Hi, Adriano

 

The basic overall dimensions, may be obtained from archives, publications, surveys, and even photographs. The most common estimates for dimensions involves counting bricks, track widths, comparing with an object or feature of known dimensions

 

One of the most common features of building structures from Victorian days is that dimensions were usually imperial in multiples of feet, 9", 6", etc. Common dimensions in Mill buildings for instance were 8', 10', and 12' for bays. It was relatively easy to determine overall dimensions and thus window spacings, window dimensions, etc., which can again be checked by brick counts, approx. 9" x 3" x 4^1_/2" centres

 

Large scale maps or even Google Maps can be used to obtain a reasonable assessment of overall dimensions of existing buildings . Steel extrusion members were normally equivalent to BS standard, although rivetted steel structural members were unique sizes

 

Deciding on the sizes of plastic for models it is necessary to first determine the scale size of the item, and if thought to be too thin/small for robustness/loading bearing, etc. then move up a size

 

For instance a steel thickness of say 10mm (a common dim. for steel bracing members) would be equivalent to 5 thou in 4mm scale, far too thin for modelling structures in plastic. I use 10 thou as a minimum, which cannot readily be recognised as overscale

 

Vertical panels, etc are most likely to be modelled in overscale thickness to maintain strength and reduce distortion, and unlikely to be seen as such (walls, bridge parapets, etc.)

 

Where a structure such as one of my bridge models incorporates multiple cross-bracings then the thickness can be chosen closer to scale size subject to the ability to model it without solvent destruction or distortion

 

You may notice also, that I have on a number occasions made trial builds to confirm buildability, strength and determine best order of construction

 

... don't forget if looks right it is in all probability right, you won't be getting many rivet counters going round with their digital calipers !!

 

Hope I haven't been to longwinded with my explanations

 

If you do have any particular point of interest needing a clearer explanation just ask either here or PM

 

Cheers

 

Ron

Hi Ron,

Just like everybody else on here I am amazed at what you are doing. I'm not sure if you've touched on this before but can you please tell first of all how you get all the dimensions for your models. Secondly, how do you know what material thickness to use.

I really want to have a go and building and have access to CAD but just struggling a little with dimensions.

Adriano