Large Scale Central

Building flats or false fronts

Modeling
#1

Hi all, The subject of building flats came up in Larry’s thread “well I didn’t see this coming” and rather than derail his thread I thought I would ask my questions here. What are others doing along these lines? How are you dealing with the problem/meeting the challange of limited building space? below is a picture of how I filled the space along the train shed wall. I hope to someday have a mural painted on the wall to fill in the “blank” look

What have others done along these ines? Thanks Rick

#2

Cutouts to fit siding are a nice touch. What doing? This kind of thing. Is somewhat further along now. Has subroof and subroof for awnings. Made of balsa wood and art paper.

(http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa309/FSW4picts/G%20gauge%20projects/IMG_1562.jpg)

#3

I’ve been needing to make some for the overhead layout in the LR, you guys may have motivated me to start… or not… lol!

#4

Rick Marty said:
… I thought I would ask my questions here.

(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/rick_marty/_forumfiles/General/flats1.jpg)

What have others done along these ines?

from my point of view, you should not ask questions, but show details of and explain what you got there! generally thinking (more by the work of others, than my own), i got the impression, that it could be a good idea to make flats, that represent large buildings. somehow that seems to make up for the missing depth.

#5

Rick:

I’ve long admired your building (almost) flats. The thing that is really enticing is your use of a fairly high level of depth. I really think that effectively changes the scene from a ‘flat’ to a full 3d model. Just that some of it disappears into . . .

Of course your track work and scenic detail (ballast, siding trackage lower than main, end of track bumper, train with crew, etc.) conspires to complete or make the scene.

You mention a mural. Would that be painted on the existing clap board surface? On a smooth facia board? Do you envision that it would depict distant ‘country,’ or would it fill in the foreground scene where there are gaps in the buildings? Perhaps more (somewhat flatter) buildings? A combination?

Forrest:

Nice building representation on your (I assume) shelf layout. I would like to see you publish more of your overhead electrification here on LSC. Following it on the Yahoo 16mm group is okay, but you can create your own thread here. Easier to follow for those who are interested in watching your progress.

You have both reminded me of a point on my RR where I might make use of flats. Going to take a new look at that.

Has anyone done simple laminated cutouts? Perhaps 1/8" 1/4", or 1/2" thick plywood cutouts laminated to form a 3d relief representing the fronts of buildings. Maybe use a variety of thicknesses to represent various depths? Kind of the antitheses of Rick’s fine detail modeling.

This thread should be of real interest to anyone with locations that could make use of this modeling technique.

Mik: You are amazing! How many hours do you put into this hobby each day?? You must hold all records for the most prodigious (I think that is a very positive word) modeler in the known world. I certainly enjoy seeing all your pursuits in every scale!

Happy RRing,

Jerry

#6
Jerry Bowers said:
....Mik: You are amazing! How many hours do you put into this hobby each day?? You must hold all records for the most prodigious (I think that is a very positive word) modeler in the known world. I certainly enjoy seeing all your pursuits in every scale!....

Jerry


First, thank you for the kind words. Second, how long? Some days none. Some days 12 hours if the muse bites hard enough. It helps to have: 1. a clear idea in your head of how you want whatever to look. 2. An idea of how to fudge what you have into what you need. (Adaptive re-use… or, if you prefer, my dad uses another term that’s not quite PC!) 3. A few boxes of miscellaneous parts, odds 'n ends, and other sh-t to choose from. 4. All day to foodle around because you’re snowed in, and ain’t got money to go anyplace anyway. or 5. insomnia…

I just spent the last 4 hours turning a 1/32 Waterloo Boy tractor engine, a plastic acorn nut cover and some bits of styrene and wood into a light plant (vintage portable generator, usually 32v DC) to stick in the shack on the work flat. — Reality check - I spent about half that time scrounging odd bits of crap, 45 minutes to an hour actually building and the rest net surfing while waiting for paint or glue to dry enough to go to the next step. It’s not a scale model of anything… more sort of a cross between a 40’s vintage Delco and a same era Kohler… but it looks the part and it was ‘free’.

#7

Rick the stuff you show in your pic looks great to me. I imagine that when you stand a couple feet away the whole scene looks even better. Great deal and as someone else said very good depth thus adding to the overall illusion.
One humble suggestion, if I may, would be to add some sort of foliage between the buildings. It could be bushes or even trees. That way you’re not looking at the stark blue “sky” and your horizon is a bit higher.
Dave

#8

Hmmm, I just thought there would be more people working with flats especially in large scale.

Forrest,
Balsa and paper, obviously an indoor model. Are you using 1:24 scale for the structure that I assume is a depot???

Mik,
I am sure you will start. I agree with Jerry it seems like everyday that I open the forums you have at least two new building projects going :)=)

Jerry,
Yea, maybe they aren’t really “flats” but I didn’t know what else to call them. The mural, if it ever gets done, will be a combination of buildings in silhouette trees and street scenes. This will all be painted directly on the siding. And the blue will be toned down.

Korm,
Thanks, big is good but big can also be overpowering in a small town setting.

Dave,
Couldn’t agree more and hope to somday have that corrected.

Jerry brings up a question about using simple laminated cutouts stacked maybe an inch thick, I think they would have their place where space was at a real premium. I have seen them used on overhead indoor layouts as well as the paper poster “pinup” backdrops. But where room allows I like the looks of the more three dimensional flat, does that make sence?

Later
Rick

#9

Jerry Bowers said:
Nice building representation on your (I assume) shelf layout. I would like to see you publish more of your overhead electrification here on LSC. Following it on the Yahoo 16mm group is okay, but you can create your own thread here. Easier to follow for those who are interested in watching your progress.

Thanks :slight_smile: But I’m not in a Yahoo 16mm group, I’m largescale Trolley. Need to find and post a current photo of the depot. Will be back with that. It’s more a pair of 1x12 display shelves with live track than a layout; one for Kathy’s Bachmann V&T set and one for my Sparky. Catenary construction to going to be slow. My health ain’t the greatest and there can be up to 2 months at a time I can’t work on stuff. That is a factor why so far the electrickery trains are only on largescale Trolley Yahoo group. Depot is for Kathy. Colors are loosely based on MKT, we live in a town on the Katy Trail which has a restored depot. L&N is another influence as back in the HO modeling days I was a big L&N fan. A half-round water tower flat is also in the works with design sketches made. EDIT: What’s behind the curtain, balsa and art paper. Does have a couple weights glued inside bottom to keep gusts through open windows from sending it down the hallway. As a flat, roof pitch is greatly exaggerated so as to reach to peak in shallow depth - call it forced perspective maybe.

(http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa309/FSW4picts/G%20gauge%20projects/Kathydepotback.jpg)

Haven’t decided if roofing will be representative of seamed metal or shingles. Will be about this color. Foundation and how to make it yet to be decided, stone or brick.

(http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa309/FSW4picts/G%20gauge%20projects/Kathydepotfront.jpg)

#10

I was looking at my indoor layout yesterday with flats in mind for backdrops. There is so much wall to cover I’d need to do the really cheap door and window methods that Yogi and others have documented. One problem is reaching the wall - 5-6 years ago when I built it, I would climb up on the bench-work (1/2 ply on furniture) , but that’s not happening now, so I need to be able to slide it into place. I’ve also got a big bundle of ham radio cables to cover somehow too.

#11
Jon Radder said:
I've also got a big bundle of ham radio cables to cover somehow too.
Make racks, paint them silver, and... instant refinery or natural gas farm.
#12
Mik said:
Jon Radder said:
I've also got a big bundle of ham radio cables to cover somehow too.
Make racks, paint them silver, and... instant refinery or natural gas farm.
That would be a good idea if they were running horizontal. These are running vertical up the wall. A half round chimney would do it though :)
#13

Several club members have built building flats with JigStones along the wall of the IPP&W Shops. The Dominion Post Office Building

(http://ovgrs.editme.com/files/Railway/CraigLeigh4.jpg)

Scobies Fine Foods

(http://ovgrs.editme.com/files/Railway/CraigLeigh5.jpg)

Brunt’s Milling and Malting

(http://ovgrs.editme.com/files/Railway/CraigLeigh6.jpg)

A look down the wall at all the flats.

(http://ovgrs.editme.com/files/Railway/CraigLeigh7.jpg)

At the end of the yard is the Craig Leigh Passenger Station

(http://ovgrs.editme.com/files/Railway/CraigLeigh2.jpg)

(http://ovgrs.editme.com/files/Railway/CraigLeigh1.jpg)

There are building logs on the club web site on how these structures were constructed.

#14

Paul, Those flats look even better the closer you get to the track. I also like that they’ve been “extended” by the use of the road bridge.

(http://jbrr.com/Pics/Events/AmericanInvasion/2010/IMG_8264w.JPG)

#15

Nice picture Bruce!

The boys put a lot of hours in building those stone structures, but it helped pass the winters. Lots of chewing the fat around the hot stove while these were being built.

I have to update the photo tour of the railway because of all the changes. Perhaps this time I will try some more track level photos.

I really should do a video tour as well.

#16

Paul, a video tour would be great. We see alot of the RR through Fred but for us westerners a little video of what you guys have there would be appreciated.

#17

Ohhh, those look good.

Paul Norton said:
The Dominion Post Office Building

(http://ovgrs.editme.com/files/Railway/CraigLeigh4.jpg)

Scobies Fine Foods

(http://ovgrs.editme.com/files/Railway/CraigLeigh5.jpg)

#18

(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh58/rgseng/Invasion%202010/freds20100016.jpg)

#19

(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh58/rgseng/Invasion%202009/freds200908.jpg)