Here is a little challenge . I challenge you freelancers of the world to freelance a building of any size, any shape over the next week. Sit down with your scrap box, then take a look at a magazine, find a picture of a building that might be right for the amount of scrap you have, and let your imagination run wild! This challenge was actually suggested to me by my five-year-old who saw a picture of a track-side warehouse he liked. When I told him they didn't make that as a model he wondered off, coming back with the scrap box saying but YOU could build it Daddy ! We did (actually it took about four-hours to build, and we have not painted it yet). Remember freelance it...make it a faximile of the real structure with just the parts you have on hand! I look forward to hearing how it goes over the next few days !! John
Yeah, and if it is a moderator, their salary will double!! Ilike doing these little projects because a) it keeps the extras box down to a managable level, and b) really tests the old "I wonder what I can do with this" aspect. John
I've already done this with a couple buildings on my current layout. When MR ran an article on a rail/truck transfer buliding, I scratch-built on out of styrene that I had laying around. My grain elevator was made from PCV pipe. Now, there's a lot of missing detail, but maybe someday, I will go back and add it. Right now, I am seriously considering a diseil fuel and sanding facility like in the latest (?) issue of RMC. Jeff Augsburg & Concord R.R. (a fictional shortline in Central Illinois) http://www.pegnsean.net/~revnjeff
Jeff, I was looking at that same model and wondering if I could scratch it! Catt...you got it brother!! John
I don't do buildings this way (yet) as my layout isin't even ready for track yet, but I do make loads. I go the the hardware section of the recycled building Materials store and start rooting through the bins. I have 2 simple criteria for what I'm looking for. If 1) I can't figure out what it is and 2) It will fit on a flat car, or better yet a gon, then it's a load. Add some scale lumber dunnage (cut from old pallets and such) and you have some pretty convincing loads, and at 50 cents a pound!
I've created loads in a similar fashion...usually from junk in the back room at work. Like you say...if you can't tell what it is and it looks to scale I use it. I wonder if you could get enough wierd stuff from the hardware bin (or our back room) for a building of some sort...yeah...that's the ticket...I'll have to try that !! John
Well John, when I saw this challenge I had to make something. I was in need of a large railway station that included office space for the administration of my M.A.T. railroad. This station to be located at the port of Tayside. I have a book calledThe Old Railway Station Book so browsed through it and chose the 1889 Central Railroad of New Jersey ferry and Railroad Terminal at Jersey City. Here is a photo from the book that I used as a pattern to make my model. I made my N gauge model out of cardboard of various thicknesses including my favourite modelling material, cereal box cardboard. I painted it with acrylic water based paint that I find in our local $ store. I printed the windows and doors with my ink jet printer. I drew them using MS paint. Other odds and ends are toothpicks, some old jewellery, and a plastic test tube. I still have to add details like the clock face and downspouts and final painting detail. I just wanted to show what I have done so far this week. Here it is. It will be mounted at Tayside in the next day or two. [ 31 January 2002, 22:02: Message edited by: Robin Matthysen ]
Holy Cow!! That is unreal!! Just goes to show what a little ingenuity can do ! That is a great looking model. You will have to e-mail me some details on how you do this kind of thing...I have a large station that need building!! John
Thanks for the kind words guys but I can tell you that I don't ever expect to get to the fantastic level that Paul Templar has achieved
Robin, Excellent work how long did it take you to build the station? Be sure to post pics of the station on your layout
It took me a week to get to the point where it was at when I took the picture with my cheepie digital camera. Really cheap because I got it free. I do this kind of thing while watching TV. I watch sports like the football playoffs and will even do some more while watching the Super bowl. I also watch movies, but NO sitcoms of any kind. About 15 hours but then I stop to watch a replay or some action in a movie so actual work time was closer to 10 hours. This station will be added to my layout but right now I am working to get the mainline complete. 90% done .
