Large Scale Central

A new Ozaukee Tower - Mik's Challenge 2014

Modeling
#1

In a recent post I mentioned finding some downloaded plans from Garden Railways web site. The last plan I tried to build was the coaling depot, expertly done by Bruce Chandler. Mine was, as I recorded, a disaster but rescued when I made it into a barn.

So hopefully this plan of a Gateman’s Tower will be more successful and get completed as intended.

Feeling somewhat better in health I looked to see if I had sufficient lumber, paints and window plastic to complete the job and it seems that I have. I have some steps and sprue from a PIKO loading dock which, hopefully, will make the step part of the project more easily achieved. I could use coffee stirrers but as they are thin and not likely to survive many winters I have not considered their use.

Once the sun shines, maybe tomorrow or Friday I can take some pics I will post pics of what I have for the project here.

http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/great_western/Capture.PNG

#2

@Alan Sense your door is somewhere between the US and the UK, I thought that I would at least get you the size so you can get started with a cut to size plug till it arrives.

Size is outside dimensions with the sill included. 33.4mm Wide x 70.4mm Tall.

I downloaded that same plan, as I thought that someday I’ll build that tower.

Good luck

#3

#4

Many thanks for the door dims Dave and thank you again for sending the door. As you know I was somewhat at a loss in what to build, given the time frames and other parameters.

I doubt if the door, as it is light in weight, will take long to arrive here.

#5

Best of luck with your build, Alan!

#6

Thank you John B for opening my link and thank you John LeF for the encouragement.

I laid in bed this morning wondering what had possessed me to walk into a competition; even if it is a fun one.

#7

After a week of illness today was a day when I felt good. I thought it was time then to make a small start on the tower.

From a long piece of treated decking I have cut the sided, upper and lower, of the tower. That was the easy part I guess: the more difficult for me will be the mitres.

At least I have tested the water and we are off.

The pics show the sides cut into the required widths and depths. The thickness has to be yet addressed: tomorrows job maybe.

#8

I really like that tower. I want one on my layout as well.

Terry

#9

It is a great structure Terry and thanks to Garden Railways for making it available.

A progress report:

The thickness of the blocks has been addressed and they are now half the thickness shown in the pics. They have been mitred and glued together today: in fact the glue is curing/setting - hopefully. They still need to be pinned.

There are two sizes, lower section and an upper section which is slightly shorter in height.

Once the glue has dried I will mount the lower section on a its base and fix the central floor which will support the upper part giving the structure the required rigidity.

Pics to follow tomorrow or more likely Monday.

I had hoped to make this build without expense whatsoever: lumber, screws, nails, paint, plastics for windows etc. are all readily available in my garage. But, I spotted a bottle Gorilla Glue (first time I have seen it in the UK) so I pushed the boat out and bought some for the project. I felt it might be superior in adhesion to the PVA stuff I already have.

So we have around $7 on the tally so far.

#10

Carry on…

#11

More adhesive applied yesterday and it was such a lovely day I just had to run trains: the first for three weeks. Today cold and damp but once the door is here I will get going again.

#12

Just in case one or two may think I have thrown the towel in I have to mention that things have been rather busy these last couple of days: removing moss from pavement, making new worktop for my outdoor hobby bench and as it has been raining somewhat I have been getting on my ham radio hobby. Spoke to a guy in NY and and another in Ontario yesterday: sadly not train buffs. Today saw a new furniture hunt and tomorrow we go to make the deal! Well, got to keep the better half happy as they say; might need some trains later in the year. lol

Some expanding foam has been applied to the internal parts of the tower structure - top and bottom sections - as I felt the need for some rigidity before I could make window applications and the door - when it arrives.

Next week Monday, if weather is good will allow another bit of work on the project. Hopefully I will be able to make some more progress after next Wednesday.

#13

I have a friend who used to be in woodworking. When he got down to 8 1/2 fingers, he decided he wasn’t cut out for woodworking. He’s a computer programmer now.

#14

It took thirteen days to travel from New Mexico to South Western England but the door finally arrived today. Thanks Dave and others who roped me in. lol

The adhesive fixing the walls of both sections is truly set now (no lost digits when making mitres) and so is the re-inforcing foam. I can now get started on fixing the door, windows and then eventually fixing the base and middle staging/floor.

The tricky bit, eventually, will be railings and steps. aaaaagh!

#15

Away all day at the Cathedral yesterday so no work on the project. However, today saw the door and its associate jambs glued in place on the lower section together with the rear window on the upper section Hopefully the method of fixing I have used will have set by tomorrow. Tomorrow. hopefully, I can make a second door which is required for the upper section and affix that in place. I just hope the day is nice and sunny so I can work outdoors - better light to work in and should I slip with a chisel, sharp knife or any other implement which will not damage anything belonging to 'er indoors of which she has oversight. Hopefully I can also run a train as I did today.

#16

No work achieved since last Thursday: commitments and other issues.

Arriving home from church today at 12.30 I decided to spend a little while on the Challenge. I had a break from 2-3 pm, for a Ham radio network, and then got back to the grindstone.

When adhesives are set tomorrow, all being well, I will post some pics of the work.

Another door and three sets of windows were added to the upper floor and one set of windows added to the lower section. This leaves window frames to be made and maybe some filler to maintain weatherproofing.

When this part is completed and dried, the base and floor will be cut and fitted just leaving the steps and hand rails. aaaargh!

What is left now? Another two weeks? must watch it here. lol

#17

Today has seen the final work on the two parts that form the tower; top and lower sections.

I have finished fixing the windows and doors and have used a different adhesive for fixing the doors and architraves.

I have painted what has been built so far although I had intended to take a photo before painting. But the whole thing, being a small size, looked rather messy. I have yet to fix door handles and paint the upper door which is still a base white colour.

Providing the house is still here - 80 mph winds right now - tomorrow might see me painting the door and fixing the lower section to a base and the upper to the floor which will separate the two parts.

This is the critical stage. If I make a hash of placing the lower section on the base I will not be able to correctly locate the steps.

I must thoroughly consult the plans - and omens. lol

#18

I managed to get the base cut to size - this was the part I had to get correct otherwise the tower and steps would not fit on the base.

I glued the central floor/staging onto the lower part of the tower then glued to upper part of the tower to this floor.

Tomorrow, when the adhesives are set, I can make a start on the hand rails that go around the balcony and steps.

Once that is completed I need to make and fix, the triangular apexes and roof. I will then paint what has just been done in the last two days and hopefully find something that resembles a chimney to fix on the roof.

So far, other than my time, this project has not caused any expenditure save for the cost of posting the door to me. Everything I have used so far was already in my garage or junk box.

Once the railings are fixed a 'photo will follow.

#19

Looking good so far Alan.

#20

Thanks Dave. Now a progress report.

The balcony and hand rails are now affixed - hope the glue sticks …lol and part painted. The steps are in place and all that remains in that area is the stair hand rails. They will require a coat of paint.

I have still to sort out the roof and chimney and I did think I might add, if time permits, a small bunker for the gatemans coal. That would be a nice finishing touch, I hope.