Garden Railway Forum

For too long Beeston Castle station has been backgrounded by a half-hearted attempt at modelling the castle. That has now changed. . .
I pondered for quite a while how I would represent the ruined castle walls - but in the end opted for a technique demonstrated by my good friend Greg (@Gregh) of this parish. I bought a couple of Thermalite blocks from my local builders' merchant and attacked them with an old saw (past its best, missing a few teeth). .
I then set-about the various off-cuts with a screwdriver blade and a panel saw blade. .
Before too long, I had carved sufficient bits to make the walls, some small towers and the gatehouse. .
The 'blocks' were coloured using cement dyes.
. . .
I'm glad I started with a ruin - I've learned a lot in the process so now feel ready to tackle something a bit less bashed about.

There's more info about Greg's Hebel (Thermatite) models which are a lot more accomplished than mine, on his website - http://www.members.optusnet.com.au/satr/hebel.htm

Thanks Greg for the idea and inspiration.

Rik
PS When the cement holding it in place has dried, I will weather it with a wash of mucky dyes and then seal it with masonry water proofer as I'm sure the frosts will enjoy undoing my handiwork.

That looks great!

Hmm, I have a left over Thermalite block not doing anything.

I was wondering if I could turn it into a abandoned pill box as you see some of these in Kent.

Great work as usual Rik. I am sure the colours will weather in time.

Superb!

What a great idea Rik... you have made a wonderful job of that and showed me the way..... again!

Thanks folks.
Must admit that modelling with Thermalite is a lot easier than I expected. It's the converse of all the modelling I've done before - ie starting with a block and whittling away at it to make a model. Actually, quite satisfying.

Of course, it's a bit more scaled-down than the real thing. I worked out that if I had tried modelling the castle to scale it would have required a mound 2/3 the height of my house and taken an area about the size of my garden plus four of my neighbours. So, as with all my modelling, it is a 'representation'.

Rik

I think Butler has artillery pieces he could put in your fort

tom_tom_go wrote: ↑Sat Aug 11, 2018 5:53 pm I think Butler has artillery pieces he could put in your fort

Mr. Butler to you, young man!

If Rik can fit a siding through the gateway I'll send them over!

Fantastic Rik.

Now blogged the build. I reckon the total outlay was under £5
http://riksrailway.blogspot.com/2018/08 ... using.html

Rik

Like the build and love how it has been blended in, really does look like the railway came later. Wasn't sure when you said past its best and missing a few teeth you were describing me, but then my name's not Stanley (it's Irwin Jack)

I have had a block cut to size to go under a bridge...must get scribing.

Rik,

I've never been less than impressed by any of your work but this is quite remarkable! It's incredibly realistic. How much do you charge to walk around the walls?

Andrew

Rik,
Have you actually applied waterproofing to the castle yet, and if so what did you use? I'm planning to do the same with my bridge because, although the Wickes blocks are supposedly water and frost resistant, I'm not sure they had it in mind to sit in running water and be fully exposed through the winter! I've been thinking of using Thompson's Water Seal Ultra but wondered if you had thoughts of anything else?

Rik,

I have just been reading this thread about your building of Beeston Castle, Wow its brilliant.
Hopefully next year I will have a go and make something like this myself. Thanks for the inspiration