Large Scale Central

Rick's MIK 2020

The MIK - Annual Build Challenge
#1

We are going to need a small depot/station building for the next expansion so as mundane as it is I guess we will be working on a station. This will be a very small building at an out of the way flag stop location so the company is not going to invest a large amount of capital in the building and only pay one part time employee to man the location on mail/freight days.

I apologise for the blue print material but we were in the shop when inspiration struck and no napkins were available, anyway we don’t use no stinkin napkins in the shop.

As you can see a small building only about 14 X 10 footprint, but of course that is now, who knows once construction starts.

Did a quick check for available materials and came up with what should be enough. 3/16 ply for the box, 2x4 Cedar for framing and trim, craft sticks for siding, concrete pier blocks, Grandt Line windows, shingle strips left over from the Redding Depot project last year, styrene for doors and other items. Paint, glue, nails, screws, etc are always in stock So I think we are good to go, now back to the snow plow.

#2

I need one of those also… I’ll be keeping a keen eye on this build…

Dave

#3

Me too.

#4

Well the chimminy castings arrived today, Wow those are nice, thanks Dave for all your time and effort to promote this fun event. Now all I need is Saturday to get here(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif)

I knew that the idea for the concept of this station building came from somewhere, well I finally remembered, at my age that’s a good thing(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif) An old post card in one of my collection albums shows just the kind of building I have in mind for the Bayside Station.

I think I will start, like I always do with buildings, by making a cardboard mock-up to get a feel for size and proportions. And the cardboard is already in stock no ding against my 30 dollars(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-foot-in-mouth.gif)

#5

Rick, its amazing how handy some of those old photos are. And by golly it just so happens to have a chimney, how appropriate (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)That should look right at home on your RR.

#6

Well, end of day 1.

Didn’t get much done but did get the basics sorted out and came up with a 3D design that I like. My 3D design work is not done in Sketchup but rather in Cardboardcutup(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-foot-in-mouth.gif)(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif)

Ayway here are a few pictures of what I came up with.

Besides looking crooked I think the chimeny is to large for this small structure, so unless it is against the rules, I am going to cut it down, no offense Dave(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif). By making it more of a rectangle shape I think it will work better with the building. I just hope Dave has more in stock in case I screw it up so bad it can’t be used(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-surprised.gif)(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-embarassed.gif).

The dock area with the waiting room on the left and the freight room on the right.

I think the railings need to be removable so that large pieces can be moved on and off vehicles and freight cars easier.

Well tomorrow, hopefully I can start cutting up the ply for the basic box assembly.

Thanks for taking a look.

#7

Very nice mockup, Rick! Looks great! That’s a good size depot for my layout, so I may have to borrow elements of this design. Cool!

#8

Feel free to cut and chop the Chimney up as much as you want…

#9

Heck, Rick, a little glue, some sealer and paint, maybe a little weight and that “mock up” will be ready for the layout itself. At least now you have patterns for all your layout work. Great job.

#10

Dan Hilyer said:

Heck, Rick, a little glue, some sealer and paint, maybe a little weight and that “mock up” will be ready for the layout itself. At least now you have patterns for all your layout work. Great job.

You beat me to it. I am damned impressed with the cardboard and tape. Can’t wait to see it with actual building materials.

#11

It’s a good design…if the track is to be infront of the building, the steps should be moved to the side, parallel to the the tracks

And for freight handeling, take out the two center posts… Hard to spot a boxcar in that limited space…

#12

Dave Taylor said:

It’s a good design…if the track is to be infant of the building, the steps should be moved to the side, parallel to the the tracks

And for freight handeling, take out the two center posts… Hard to spot a boxcar in that limited space…

Good insight Dave,

My thoughts were/are; Since the trackage where this station will sit hasn’t been built yet I dont know if the left side, right side or front will face the tracks, that’s why the removable railings. The steps will also be easily relocated once the building is in position. As far as car spotting about the largest things unloaded here will be the weekly mail sack and maybe a new Maytag washer for Esther out at the Flaize Ranch. and most of this type freight can be eased across a couple of planks while the engineer waits impatiently.

Thanks for the input!

#13

your mock-ups are better than some of my completed models.

then, again, most of mine are either ‘background’ (better than unpainted plaster) or ‘props for gags’ involving oddball figures - just enough detail to ‘set the stage.’ A bit like this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdDlXQVTxLc

#14

Smart idea to use a cardboard mock-up; get the mistakes out of the way cheap!

Comparing to the picture, I think you nailed it. The proportions and general feel of it look just right.

And I envy your workspace!

#15

Throw some paint on that cardboard mockup and you are done! It would be right at home on many indoor RR’s . Fancy. I used to use blocks of wood to replicate structures on my HO layout. LOL

I really like that style of building because it screams RR use. You could build several without the big depot door and have a bunch of row houses for the workers.

#16

Day 3

Didn’t have much time today but got a couple things done.

All the main plywood panels are cut, except the roof, the bracing is glued and nailed and the sections that needed it are primed or stained. I don’t intend to finish the interior for the challange but may want to sometime in the future so the primer will give me a head start then, plus brighten the inside when looking through the windows until then.

While the paint and glue were drying I got started on the lighting. One ceiling fixture for the office/waiting room and one for the porch/dock area. Just a simple assembly; finish washer, styrene disc, clear plastic bead, and a 14V mini bulb.

Also jumped into cutting the chimney down, turned out to be pretty simple. Ran a piece of mask tape to be sure the cut was where I wanted it and ran it through the table saw. I let the saw blade cut through the masking tape to help prevent any chipping of the casting. Just made a 90 degree cut and put the 45 bevel on using the 1 inch belt sander, worked fine. In the picture the pieces with the tape on them are the waste. I think this rectangle shape will work better for me than the original square shape.

Maybe some more tomorrow, who knows.

#17

Looks like you got a lot done to me!

#18

Jim Rowson said:

Looks like you got a lot done to me!

Keep your eye on him Jim to make sure he don’t cheat !

#19

A clear plastic bead for a light fixture … who’d a thunk it (https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)You’re moving along pretty quick, Rick.

#20

Day 5,

Yesterdays progress.

The main building box is glued and nailed. The divider wall just slides in place with no fasteners for future access. The round hole is for a 1 inch gable end louver to ventilate the inside of the structure. Laying on the bench is the ceiling panel, the white goes over the office and the stained area is for the porch.

The ceiling panel with the front gable end attached as well as the side trim pieces at the porch/dock.

The finished light fixture attached to the porch/dock cieling. A 9 volt battery provides a nice soft glow from the 14 volt bulb.

With the overhead shop light turned off you can get a better idea of the amount of light.

Try to get some more done today.