Large Scale Central

Building a Fascade? Tips please.

Modeling
#1

I have been kicking this idea around for a few years now and might actually attempt it but I need some hints and tips please.

One of my favorite RR stations belongs to the Conway Scenic RR but it is big and the space I want to put it in is small so we are talking some serious compressing.

Here is a link to photos of it.

https://www.google.com/search?q=conway+railroad+photos&biw=1200&bih=592&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=yMkNVfrFNs_IsQTHt4KQDQ&ved=0CB0QsAQ#imgdii=_&imgrc=nzpuI3nWha4MYM%3A%3BGxVJ1W9LYv1edM%3Bhttps%3A%2F%2Ffhrandomthoughts.files.wordpress.com%2F2014%2F06%2Fstation.jpg%3Bhttp%3A%2F%2Ffhrandomthoughts.com%2F2014%2F06%2F29%2Fconway-scenic-railroad-trip%2Fcomment-page-1%2F%3B1024%3B473

My rough figuring has given me a structure that is approx. 27" tall 54" long and 4" wide. It might have to go to 3" wide.

The station can be broken down into 1" for the canopy, 1" for the towers, 1" for the center piece and 1" for roof sections. I’m not looking to build a scale model but something when a visitor sees it the light will go off “hey that is the station in North Conway NH.!” I have a dado blade that I will use to create the clapboard like on my engine house which is also reminiscient of the engine house at the Conway Scenic RR.

This is an ambitious project but why not go for it. Any tips or hints to building this thing? Thanks

#2

If you are planning on going to the ECLSTS, you might pick up either parts for, or a similar station their. One year I bought a station/warehouse at Colorado Structures, with the intent of rearranging the plastic parts to make a different station. Of course, it is still sitting rather proudly in the “Project Pile”. You might find some similar towers or clock centerpiece, and then just fabricate some flexible siding.

#3

Yes, it is a large structure. Maybe someday I will finish mine. As for doing it in flats, I think that is a great idea

#4

That is the one David and might I add, awesome job, now finish it up! What are the dimensions on yours? Using the photos I estimated the dimensions at about 27" tall by 54" long. It looks like if the towers were laid on their sides together they would equal the length. ?

That is the train side you have pictured there. The parking lot side is easier with less jogs in the structure plus that is the side that most people see from the main street. I’m trying to capture the theme not the actual scale model.

Nice job on that copper roof.

#5

I scaled up the HO plans I have, and that sucker is long. I forget the exact length, since I started that project like 10 years ago. Yes, I need to finish it. That is the track-side view there. For the parking lot side I have a clock in it, so I will know what time it is outside. The make of the clock is “Shannon” and since that station is for my Pittsburgh and Castle Shannon railroad…

The copper roof was made using an idea I took from Yogi Wallace’s website. I also developed my window jig idea for that thing, since I needed like 22 identical windows, and they were of a size that wasn’t (at the time at least) commercially available.

#6

Your details bring it to life David. What will you do for the many buttresses holding up the platform roof? Those are a concern for me.

I was thinking about the clock too.

#7

David,

Very Impressive. I find I work on many different projects and get them to a point where I need to figure some aspect out, and they get put aside. them one day will decide I need to finish the item and go full bore until it is done, or near done. my engine house is just such a project. one of the first structures I built for my railroad, I got so far as to build the shell, install the tracks and put it in service. last year (2013) I brought it to the next level, and to the untrained eye it is done. I still have interior lighting to add and finish the machine shop, for another burst of energy.

Al P.

#8

The buttresses could be done with a 3/-D printer, perfect job for that.

#9

could it be modeled from the center line peak forward? then put it on a flat edge of the layout?

#10

You could buy a sheet of 1" thick styrofoam and build up the facade in layers then glue your clapboard to that. Use a water-soluble glue. It’s easy to work the foam using an electric knife and that would keep it light in weight.

#11

I did hanger flats for my airport using insulation foam. That does work rather well for making flats.

As for finishing my monster, I just need to get the ambition to get back to it. It took so long to get it to that point, that I kinda lost interest. As for the roof bracing and window trim, I will probably do them in wood. I am pretty good at working with dead trees.

#12

Todd, I don’t don’t think a water soluable glue is a good idea for long term outdoor use.

I have built a bridge out of foam insulation panel and that is an easy product to sculp but I think I will use wood for this project.

Last evening I tinkered around a bit with the build design and the dado blade angle, making test cuts to get that clapboard visually right.

I don’t know why I don’t start a logbook with all the measurements, angles and paint colours that I have used on projects?

#13

Todd Haskins said: What will you do for the many buttresses holding up the platform roof?

Todd I’m thinking Mark Dashnaw : http://www.largescalecentral.com/forums/36/mark-s-3d-printing

#14

Todd Haskins said:

Todd, I don’t don’t think a water soluable glue is a good idea for long term outdoor use.

Titebond III is a water soluble glue for outdoor use. Coated styrofoam is better to use outdoors (for long-term) than wood because wood will eventually warp/buckle/delaminate and come apart at the seams.

#15

Todd Haskins said:

Todd, I don’t don’t think a water soluable glue is a good idea for long term outdoor use.

I have built a bridge out of foam insulation panel and that is an easy product to sculp but I think I will use wood for this project.

Last evening I tinkered around a bit with the build design and the dado blade angle, making test cuts to get that clapboard visually right.

I don’t know why I don’t start a logbook with all the measurements, angles and paint colours that I have used on projects?

Todd I started one when I was modeling 1:48 and 1:72nd aircraft. That log book, or notebook, didn’t get updated as often as it should have, and eventually went by the wayside. I wish I had kept notes on some projects, so I could recreate some of the details I have created in the past. But some projects I did write articles on, and those projects are well documented as to how I did what. So, write an article on what you did, when it works. (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)(http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-sealed.gif)

#16

David Maynard said:

Todd Haskins said:

Todd I started one when I was modeling 1:48 and 1:72nd aircraft. That log book, or notebook, didn’t get updated as often as it should have, and eventually went by the wayside. I wish I had kept notes on some projects, so I could recreate some of the details I have created in the past. But some projects I did write articles on, and those projects are well documented as to how I did what. So, write an article on what you did, when it works. (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)(http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-sealed.gif)

Exactly. And then send it to Garden Railways Magazine and get paid for your project.

#17

Sorry the first thing that popped in my mind when I read water soluble was that it wouldn’t work outside. I use tightbond 3 all the time.

Over the last few days I got to ripping wood with the dado and the main parts now have clapboard. There are lots of hurdles to jump and I hope I didn’t bite off more than I can chew.

#18

Todd, if you have bitten off more then you can chew, you will be in the same boat as many of us. But just work on it a little each day and sooner or later it will be done. I just need to take my own advice and apply it to my station.

#19

That’s usually how it works David. I have had more than a few projects that have gotten shelved.

I am pretty good at making sawdust. LOL

#20

Now if only we could figure out how to make something useful, that will use up all the sawdust that we each have.