Semi-scale BR: signalbox
Semi-scale BR: signalbox
My first go at doing a building and I took the easy route, as it’s from a Jackson’s Miniatures kit. It’s foamboard, helped along with textured styrene sheets (also from them), a few other embellishments and rather expensive (compared with Wilko) Southern Region colours from Phoenix paints. I’ve made every imaginable mistake with this (some of which I haven’t been able to disguise) including starting to build it inside out and glueing the roof to my trousers (when all else fails, detailed instructions are included).
However. This signal box has changeable name boards, so it can pretend to be somewhere different each time it’s moved around the shrubbery for, say, the camera (or just for being silly).
Next: uhhh... Surbiton Station!
However. This signal box has changeable name boards, so it can pretend to be somewhere different each time it’s moved around the shrubbery for, say, the camera (or just for being silly).
Next: uhhh... Surbiton Station!
- BorisSpencer
- Fireman
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- Joined: Thu Apr 05, 2018 2:36 pm
- Location: East Northants
Re: Semi-scale BR: signalbox
Very nice.
I especially like the guttering and downpipes, have you scratch-built those?
I especially like the guttering and downpipes, have you scratch-built those?
Re: Semi-scale BR: signalbox
Cheers. Tube and half-round strip found among the piles of offcuts at the bottom of the plasticard box. I had bought some especially but I got my sums wrong and it looked way too big…BorisSpencer wrote: ↑Mon Mar 16, 2020 3:12 pm "...guttering and downpipes, have you scratch-built those?"
- Peter Butler
- Driver
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Re: Semi-scale BR: signalbox
Despite the construction difficulties I think you have made a superb job there. The name changes are good too, I know there is an exhibition layout called 'Scratchy Bottom' but it never occurred to me it really existed.
The best things in life are free.... so why am I doing this?
Re: Semi-scale BR: signalbox
Nice job, I like the fire buckets hanging on the front.
Grant.
Grant.
Re: Semi-scale BR: signalbox
Grant - Thank you. Fire buckets (and lots of other useful stuff) are from GRSUK.com, though I recognise that might not be especially convenient for you in Oz.
Re: Semi-scale BR: signalbox
After a week or two trying to figure out exactly what it was that was making me unhappy with it, I decided it was the windows...
Jackson’s Miniatures answered my enquiry regarding the purchase of alternative, six-pane, window mouldings by sending me some free! Much better, I reckon.
Jackson’s Miniatures answered my enquiry regarding the purchase of alternative, six-pane, window mouldings by sending me some free! Much better, I reckon.
Re: Semi-scale BR: signalbox
That's looking fantastic, nice one! Good call re the windows too.
I'm looking forward to painting mine over the coming weeks.
Cheers,
Andrew
I'm looking forward to painting mine over the coming weeks.
Cheers,
Andrew
Re: Semi-scale BR: signalbox
That is a lovely build, and the new windows certainly add some extra charcter.
Hope you don't mind me saying, but to my eye what would elevate it from an excellent model to a superb one, would be to either pick out the stones in various shades, and/or add a mortar colour.
Hope you don't mind me saying, but to my eye what would elevate it from an excellent model to a superb one, would be to either pick out the stones in various shades, and/or add a mortar colour.
Philip
Re: Semi-scale BR: signalbox
That looks brilliant! Lovely bit of modelling.
Rik
Rik
Re: Semi-scale BR: signalbox
That’s a good idea. Unfortunately the styrene ‘stone’ sheet I’ve used doesn’t have quite the same sort of regular pattern as the ‘rough finish’ (don’t know the correct term, image below) Purbeck stone buildings I was attempting to suggest. It’s more higgeldy piggeldy and I didn’t want to draw attention to it.
There doesn’t seem to be much discernible variation in the colour of the stone or from the mortar, on the originals either. It’s shadow that gives the texture and shape definition, it seems to me.
But I’ll have a go at your suggested techniques on some spare bits and see if I can improve things. Cheers.
Re: Semi-scale BR: signalbox
I see wht you mean about the evenness of the colour on the real stone, so perhaps I was wrong with my suggestion. You've certainly done a really good job of matching the original stone colour, thats something I always struggle with myself.
Philip
- Soar Valley Light
- Driver
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Re: Semi-scale BR: signalbox
It really is a superb build.
I've always thought that signalbox windows play a huge part in the overall character of the structure. Some of the double glazing that NR have inflicted upon some structures is truly character changing (particularly on the most characteristic of windows like, for example, a Midland box). If I'm honest I like both versions of your box, each has a character of it's own. It helps that I've always been a sucker for SR green and cram buildings too!
Andrew
I've always thought that signalbox windows play a huge part in the overall character of the structure. Some of the double glazing that NR have inflicted upon some structures is truly character changing (particularly on the most characteristic of windows like, for example, a Midland box). If I'm honest I like both versions of your box, each has a character of it's own. It helps that I've always been a sucker for SR green and cram buildings too!
Andrew
"Smith! Why do you only come to work four days a week?
"'cause I can't manage on three gaffer!"
"'cause I can't manage on three gaffer!"
Re: Semi-scale BR: signalbox
Thanks. Yeah, me too.Soar Valley Light wrote: ↑Tue Mar 24, 2020 7:58 pm "...I've always been a sucker for SR green and cream buildings"
Bright and sunny today, so I'm obliged to make a start on tidying up the garden...
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