So I have had a nut to build this thing since I saw old photo’s of it in a book on the Cumberland Valley RR. I have the perfect spot for it on my under construction RR and have the materials ready to go. Funny thing is I had no idea that it was already sitting at Strasburg restored until I started a search for more pictures. I live about 45 minutes from there and have seen it at least 3 times or more on trips down with my family but no clue it was the old CVRR tower!!! Anyway you don’t want to listen to me ramble you want to see pictures so lets get started!
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This is what it looked like when Penn Central owned it. This picture is fantastic as now I know I must have a copper roof and overhang! Not a seamed red one! The above picture credits can be found here http://pc.smellycat.com/pics/equip/other.html …Great site!!!
I started with a plan of attack and decided to try something different since there are so many windows and I wanted as much sturdy detail as possible. So I channeled out some redwood in various dimensions.
Next I cut some coroplastic and slid it inside the channels.
Here are the end walls with 1/8" lexan for windows. I used the 1/8" material as that is the width of my table saw blade and I had left over material from making interior storms windows for my house. The coroplastic is 3/16" but if you slice the corrugated ends it will compress nicely. BTW …I made a jig for my table saw to kerf this material. Please don’t try channeling the stuff free handed.
This is the finished bottom half interior. I want to build this in 3 sections screwed together from the inside in case I need to service it due to a wild football from my son. Not to mention my wife is wicked with the leaf blower! I also figured that the 2nd floor may need servicing or repairs in the future and one solid structure would make this difficult. The bottom half was easy …now comes the first hurdle! The second story!
So I jigged up and started the 2nd story windows. The channeled redwood and lexan add nice depth. I tried CA for adhesive and failed. Titebond was too messy so I ended up using Elmers contact hobby cement and it worked very well! I had no way of putting brads into the framing without fear of destroying it and the panels/walls will sit tightly inside the outer redwood framing. The windows/walls will all be slid into a redwood frame so if I need to service them I can remove each one individually at least that’s the plan.
A finished sidewall…the window rails,sash and stiles will be done in vinyl overlays. I feel it would be a crime to paint the natural redwood so I’m gonna just clear coat it for now.
All three side walls are done. Now the trick part is gonna be the front wall with the bay window.
I will be adding a redwood floor as well on the upper half. Throw away nothing is a good rule! The floor was thin scraps that were left from shaving down the 5/8" redwood boards to 1/2" stock.
Three walls are done and I’m pleased so far. Just need to figure out a few more engineering details yet.
Perhaps my methods could be ground breaking or already done? Who knows I only surf at LSC. Honestly I fear that my wife and son may terminate me before I finish Lemo (Lemoyne Tower). So in case "I’m put to the rack,burned at the stake and beheaded! You guys know it’s here and needs finished!!! . David
