My first scratchbuild for the new layout is a merchant freighter for my small harbour at the front right corner of my layout. I used 1/4" cardboard stacked and glued one on top of the other to form the basic shape for the ship. Then once that was dry and solid...I wrapped cereal box cardstock around it to form the hull. Cereal box was once again used for the superstructure, and portholes were made from cutting the end of a pen insert. Since these pictures were taken, the superstructure has a new bridge section. Which is a little different then what these pictures show, but it's unfinished and will post the new pics probably on the weekend. This is the hull once the cardstock has been wrapped around the cardboard base First level of the superstructure, made of cereal box cardstock and cut pen insert Second level done and it's really starting to take shape Basic superstructure done but top level has been changed. More pics will follow by the weekend. Well that's it so far...will keep you all informed of my progress. It's gonna make a nice addition to my harbour. Keep in mind though it is not based on any one prototype...cept maybe the prototype in my head
Another boat builder?!? Cool! Good looking boat. It's great to see the diversity of interests that everyone expresses while enjoying the same basic hobby.
Acually my old layout was torn down when I moved. I am presently in the process of building a new small industrial switching layout in my hallway of my apartment. The widest part only measures 22" and the main area is about 39" long, off of that is a 9"x4' shelf that extends out for more industries. It's got an interchange at each end....so basically it's a link between two class I lines. Right now all that is up is benchwork and track/roadbed...but all of the buildings are going to be scratchbuilt. This ship is just one of many projects on the list. I'll try to get a trackplan posted to show ya what I mean.
Very nice so far, Ed. Entirely plausible size and layout. And construction materials I've never thought of! Keep us posted.
Ed, your ship reminds me of what model railroaders were doing back in the bad old days before plastics. There were lots of articles in MR and other magazines about how to build freight cars, structures, etc. out of cardboard. I recall one guy who built the "El Ropo" cigar factory out of a cigar box... The olny problem with cardboard is how it reacts to moisture, which means you should probably keep your ship in drydock... By the way, there are a number of web sites with lots of photos that can help you build a realistic model, even if you are free-lancing a prototype: http://www.hazegray.org/ http://www.navsource.org/ http://www.liberty-ship.com/ http://www.ssjeremiahobrien.org/ Good luck, and show us your progress!
Well, now that I have all the compliments from you all, it's perfect oppertunity to let you know what's second on my projects list. Racing has been a passion of mine for a very long time...so right after my ship is complete, I will be modelling something seldom...if ever modelled in N scale or any other scale for that matter, a racetrack complete with pits and Craftsman trucks. A portion of the infield will be modelled along with truck haulers and garages. All scratchbuilt of course. And it will be based mostly on the Deleware Speedway here in London Ontario. Although space is limited to half the track, mirriors will help create the illusion of a full size track...just letting y'all know what's next on the list. Trains, ships and a racetrack, what more could anyone ask for.
Well, I am officially stuck now...can't seem to find a way to make the ships railings....I don't want to buy them if I can make them. I was thinking of window screen cut into individual posts but that seems too much like alot more work then even my skilled hands can do...any ideas??????????????
Update May 19th, 2006 I made a little error in my calculations and had to add two open decks to the rear of both sides of the superstructure to accomodate the stairs to get between levels. Some of the railings are in place on the main deck and the superstructure. A few towers (cut from index card) are built and the radio mast is up...I have to pick up my camera today so I will follow up with pics ASAP. Railings were made from window screen cut, snipped and cursed at numerous times. I was wondering if any of you other ship builders know of any resourses for merchant ships or models of them that I can base some of the deck details on. Especially winches, pullies and cranes. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Ed, There are numerous sources for on deck detail images. I'm just about heading for bed, so a listing will have to wait. For railings, I use the Gold Metal Models 1:200 Yamamoto railings. Otherwise, you're stuck with pins and thread—which can look good. I've never tried window screen.
Here's a link about my building N scale ships: http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/showthread.php?t=58758&highlight=Building+Ships
Here's some updated pics like I promised. See how I changed the bridge of the superstructure and has railings added from window screen. Cut to the 3' hieght for the deck railings and 4 feet high for the superstructure railings. Accually the railings were easier then I anticipated and I could make it in mass quantity in a very short time. Still got to add some support to some of the railings to hide their sag. A quick shot of the superstructure. That's window screen cut for the railings. Leave a strand...take out two strands, leave a strand...and so on. Nice coat of white paint does wonders. The sag in them isn't as bad as the picture shows. This one shows a different view of it. Tower 1(large one) was made with a skewer stick, Tower 2 is acually strips of index card glued into triangle frames and then the 4 were glued together, with pieces of cereal box cardstock at the top. Details were made from the ends of garden ties, and sucker sticks of various dimensions. An overall view of the ship...notice the different bridge layout on the superstructure. Pushing a stick pin through all the portholes will allow the ship to have fiberoptics wired through them and down below the layout. In the bottom of the ship is a rectangle hole where a light box will go. Another shot of it shows the railings on the ships deck. Oh yeah and started the second superstructure over the stern. As this project progresses more I will add more pics to this post...until it's complete that is.
