Time to build a railway...but where?

jim@NAL · Post by **jim@NAL** » Sun Jan 08, 2017 5:47 pm

great figures and boat peter .great charity shop find always worth a look in charity shops

Peter Butler · Post by **Peter Butler** » Thu Jan 19, 2017 10:26 pm

Although I have been watching the Forum I haven't added to my thread for more than a week now. That doesn't mean I have been idle, far from it! I am still building more structures to add to my village scene which I want to look authentic with shops, houses, pub(s) and my Market Hall. My latest incorporates the last of my Pendle Valley roof sections in the form of two semi's, one a shop and the other a house.
The build 'speaks' to me during construction as I never draw or design in advance. As I progress I see the buildings develop and alter in appearance, just as real buildings would as change-of-use occurs.....

Early on in the build I decided the shop would be recently refurbished and in good structural order, whereas the house would be neglected and a bit run-down. To show this I have put areas of brickwork exposed through the render...

A shop front, which will eventually have signage and window display, is almost ready for its new tenant.....

These will become part of a continuous street scene so another adjoining building is added....

This one is laminated with embossed stone effect plastic sheet with deeply recessed windows to give the impression of thick stone walls.
Since the picture was taken an extension has also been added and much of the walls coated with a fine textured screed.
More to follow.....

LNR · Post by **LNR** » Thu Jan 19, 2017 11:40 pm

Your energy for construction amazes me Peter.
Grant.

Peter Butler · Post by **Peter Butler** » Fri Jan 20, 2017 12:01 am

Perhaps I'm a frustrated architect?
I've never been involved with the real thing, other than our Edwardian home renovation, but have always been impressed with regional architecture and the infinite variety of styles and materials. This is my opportunity to create something unique but sympathetic to the area I am attempting to construct.

Post by **ge_rik** » Fri Jan 20, 2017 11:19 am

Great attention to detail as ever, Peter. I like the fluting either side of the shop window. Nice touch.

Rik

Peter Butler · Post by **Peter Butler** » Fri Jan 20, 2017 11:59 am

Thanks Rik, I'm still adding detail to the structure and have now bricked-up some windows and the rear door of the semis.....

The lean-to is clearly a later addition to the original building, as is the covered storage area at the end of the stone structure. The latter is built at an angle to the run of buildings in order to follow the curve of the track when they are in position on the railway....

I haven't suddenly become particularly fond of yellow HIP, it is because my usual suppliers have stopped selling the thickness I use in white! As everything will be painted it makes no difference and performs in exactly the same way whichever colour is used.

jim@NAL · Post by **jim@NAL** » Fri Jan 20, 2017 5:53 pm

that is a brilliant looking building peter lots of detail too .I like the bricked up windows .now that's daylight robbery. what size sheets and what thickness do you use to make your buildings

Soar Valley Light · Post by **Soar Valley Light** » Fri Jan 20, 2017 8:50 pm

I was going to comment on the detail but Rick beat me to it!

I love the back even more than the front Peter. It a classic example of how buildings 'of the period' grew and developed. It's the aspect of modelling I've always loved most - capturing those interesting roof angles and geometrical shapes of walls and windows.

Grant is quite right, you are a most prolific builder!

LNR · Post by **LNR** » Fri Jan 20, 2017 11:01 pm

Not to hijack Peter's thread, but Andrew has raised an interesting point.
"I love the back even more than the front".
One thing I used to find interesting on suburban train trips was all the backyards, clotheslines, sheds etc. and the backs of factories with all the detail to be found there. As modellers we tend to model from the front mostly, and this serves us well, but the rear aspect of buildings would be very prototypical.
Grant.

Peter Butler · Post by **Peter Butler** » Fri Jan 20, 2017 11:07 pm

jim@NAL:122331 wrote: I like the bricked up windows .now that's daylight robbery.

Brilliant!!!! I love it.

The HIP sheets I use are available on-line and are 1, 1.5, or 2mm thick in a variety of colours. They are 915 x 610 mm and the 2mm size costs £8.40, so much more economical than model shop prices.

Peter Butler · Post by **Peter Butler** » Fri Jan 20, 2017 11:24 pm

Thanks for your comments Andrew and Grant, I agree about looking at the back of buildings too, the fronts are usually built to impress and bear little resemblance to actual use of a building, especially after several years of use and change of ownership.
I am lucky here as I have an area to fill which can be viewed all round, that does also mean I have no option except to model in 360 degrees.
Today I have been working on another two shop fronts as I would like to be able to set out the layout of the street plan before the late Spring, early Summer, when I hope to begin ground-works.

jim@NAL · Post by **jim@NAL** » Fri Jan 20, 2017 11:35 pm

there BIG sheets of plastic perfect for buildings

Peter Butler · Post by **Peter Butler** » Sat Jan 21, 2017 3:56 pm

My latest build is another double shop front which will butt up to the angled storage unit at the side of my stone structure....

Inside the buildings there are several strips of plasticard strengtheners and corner angles which make it very strong and uses all off-cuts with very little waste....

My stock of windows is now exhausted and more on order, in the meantime I can cut out openings based on the sizes I used before.

Peter Butler · Post by **Peter Butler** » Sun Jan 29, 2017 3:15 pm

I have been busy during the dark and wet evenings and have completed the run of structures ready for positioning on the railway in due course.
Quite a long time has been lavished on the paintwork to give the impression of age and neglect on the empty house...

Next door is the visitor craft and gift shop.... my residents don't miss an opportunity to cash-in!....

Finally, the oldest structure has been occupied by Diane's Country Kitchen Restaurant (named after my wife) where traditional home cooking is the house speciality.....

My new stock of windows, plus an ebay purchase too, has given me more than enough to get on with so I can continue building more shops and houses. Also more tiles, stone and brick effect plastic sheet have been sourced. Diane thinks she has her kitchen table back.... little does she know!

Superbiker_uk · Post by **Superbiker_uk** » Sun Jan 29, 2017 3:16 pm

Simply Wonderful Peter

Post by **philipy** » Sun Jan 29, 2017 3:58 pm

Superb as always, Peter. Looking forward to seeing them all in situ.

Where do you get your windows from, are they Jacksons?

SimonWood · Post by **SimonWood** » Sun Jan 29, 2017 4:22 pm

Stunning set of buildings!

So authentic is the To Let board I had to check on the website http://www.randrproperties.co.uk but I can't tell if they specialise in renting 16mm scale properties (just that they're based in Wolverhampton...)

Peter Butler · Post by **Peter Butler** » Sun Jan 29, 2017 5:27 pm

philipy:122452 wrote:
Where do you get your windows from, are they Jacksons?

These windows are Jacksons which I buy from Glendale Junction (very helpful people there). The large shop windows are from a dolls house source which I managed to pick up at exhibitions and ebay.
Some of the other windows I purchased from a German exhibitor at the last Welshpool and Llanfair Gala Weekend and I now wish I had bought more! The range is amazing and the prices very reasonable, however, the website is lacking in detail so I haven't been able to order from it.

jim@NAL · Post by **jim@NAL** » Sun Jan 29, 2017 6:36 pm

looking excellent peter very realistic looking buildings

LNR · Post by **LNR** » Sun Jan 29, 2017 11:13 pm

Wonderful buildings, and such detail. I too like the "TO LET" sign, and like Philip can't wait to see them in situ.
Grant.

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