7mm Corwen Road

LarryG

Western Thunderer
The map shows the Dee Valley line a Corwen in red, the fictional east junction coming off the Ruthin Branch in blue and the fictional diversion into land closer to the road in white. I have also incorporated road bridges at each end of the station complex...

WEB Corwen Junction.jpg

Rule 1 information:-
When the LNWR Ruthin line reached Corwen via an east facing junction, Corwen Road station and goods yard effectively became the end of the branch from Ruthin. Trade was developing at the turn of the Century and the whole complex was upgraded at a time when other stations on the GWR line were being upgraded, hence the new GWR design of buildings. When the ramshackle collection of buildings on the Up platform were replaced around 1895 to offer much improved facilities for LNWR and GWR passengers, the LNWR refused to finance blue brick embellishment, hence this building differed from the GWR building and signal box on the Down platform. However, the LNWR wholly financed the goods shed, hence the typical Crewe home made brickwork and LNW architecture. A road lorry was later stationed at Corwen for goods cartage with repairs and management of the vehicle carried out at Wrexham.

Reality: Passenger services ceased on the Ruthin line in 1953 and that is how it will be on the model, at least initially.

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Baseboards were built from new, which is easier than trying to rescue previous boards. I was pleasantly surprised to find the planed timber was truly 3" x 1" and not the skinny stuff used on past layouts.

The first job was cutting to length two main 3" X 1" stringers. The main baseboard is 17¾" wide so a number of identical width spacers were cut and added to the frame. Some were 2" X 1" and others were 3" X 1"......

WEB Baseboard 1.jpg

MrsG is is never available when I need someone to hold things while I put in screws, and so historically I make a couple of 'Mary's' out of scrap wood to support things. They are the two vertical bits with feet....
WEB Baseboard 2.jpg

Here are the "Marys" doing their bit while I put a holding screw in 'tother end 14 feet away....
WEB Baseboard 3.jpg

The back stringer was screwed to the shed frame while testing everything with a spirit-level. The Mary's then became permanent support legs at the front....
WEB Baseboard 4.jpg

A piece of wood was cut 28" long and placed in position to test the walking space between boards....
WEB Baseboard 5.jpg

All was well and so a permanent support was cantilevered from the main board and screwed & glued in position....
WEB Baseboard 6.jpg

The image shows the two outer stringers in place along with an additional support (I like to lean on things)...
WEB Baseboard 7.jpg

The finished framework. with maximum width of 28" narrowing down at each end to 18½". As can be seen, the 0 gauge track will exit the shed closer to the back wall. The old backscene will remain in place for the time-being....
WEB Baseboard 8.jpg
 
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LarryG

Western Thunderer
An LCUT medium size GWR signalbox kit was built this morning while it rained outside. It was built exactly per instructions using Evostick, Loctite and UHU adhesives. A glance at photos of similar boxes of this design showed it needed raised panelling around the windows etc. This was added from 20 thou. Guttering was 60 thou sheet with a strip of Slaters embossed corrugated sheet glued to it to form the rounded underside of the gutter...
WEB Signalbox B.jpg

A view of the building before the raised panelling was added around and between the windows...
WEB Signalbox A.jpg

Panelling was added to give a further layer of relief. This style of box with numerous panes of glass was chosen to remind me of the larger box at Ruabon. Roof and upper ends are removable....
WEB Signalbox C.jpg

I expect it will be painted BR(W) brown & cream, brickwork colours undecided.....
WEB Signalbox D.jpg
 

jonte

Western Thunderer
The added panelling has made a real difference to its authenticity, Larry.

A great start.

Best wishes,

Jonte
 

Focalplane

Western Thunderer
As Jonte says, a great start. I seem to have similar problems and use all sorts of devices to hold things in place when Mrs. A is nowhere to be found. By any chance did you buy your timber from Huws Grey?
 

LarryG

Western Thunderer
As Jonte says, a great start. I seem to have similar problems and use all sorts of devices to hold things in place when Mrs. A is nowhere to be found. By any chance did you buy your timber from Huws Grey?
No. We have a local yard that has been run by a family for years. Regarding the laser-cut signalbox, I am keeping my tinder dry until I see what it is like to paint.
 
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Focalplane

Western Thunderer
As you probably know I don't have a great deal of confidence in buying timber here in France. So I bought my 2" x 2" legs from Huws Grey in Porthmadog and drove them across France. They stand up well!! Plywood has been another problem but I finally found some marine quality ply that had to be laid flat under weights before being used. I do know that some people have used foam board up to an inch thick on a timber frame.
 

LarryG

Western Thunderer
After spraying the cream and brick red using cellulose paint, a wash of household white undercoat was brushed all over the brickwork and left to dry out. White spirit on a piece of kitchen tissue was used to wipe the dry paint off the surface. The end is shown partially wiped....
WEB Signalbox H.jpg
 
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Yorkshire Dave

Western Thunderer
I'll do what I can to save the building tomorrow, but it's back to scratch building for me after this.

I have looked at LCUT laser kits and was not overly impressed (apart from not producing the prototypes I require). Unfortunately your signal box kit has borne this out, however I'm confident you'll be able recover the situation.

For what it's worth I use a paste of AMMO by MIG concrete (and other colours depending on the mortar) weathering powder for 'mortar' (weathering powder mixed with water). I just brush it on and when dry wipe it off with a damp cloth. Some gets left behind on the bricks but this just looks like salts eking out of the brickwork. These are O scale laser cut buildings produced by Intentio I have 'mortared' using this method.
Bothy 64.jpg Mess 35.jpg f4.jpg
 

simond

Western Thunderer
I used Wickes ready mix internal filler on my loco shed - I think it was Dave’s idea/ guidance that got me there. Wipes off the faces of the bricks with damp kitchen towel

Good luck
Simon
 

jonte

Western Thunderer
Painting has made a huge difference to the brick, Larry. It’s really taken the ‘wooden-look’ away IMHO. I do like your brick colour btw.
I can sense your dissatisfaction with the kit, but I think there is merit in the windows, improved by your choice additions, which I believe makes or breaks a model signal box. The arched brick lintels and windows also look fine to me; another plus.

In fact, for me, the only issue I have with laser kits - and not one I consider a major obstacle - is the inevitable jig-saw join at adjoining walls, which of course, can’t be helped, but as Dave has shown, can be addressed.

If you don’t mind me saying, Larry, the only part of the build that jars with me is the steps.

During my brief dalliance with ‘O’, I scratchbuilt a box from card - another unfinished project - and not wishing to fabricate them myself due to time constraints, I came across a kit for landing, steps and handrails produced by York Modelmaking 0 Scale Signal Box stepswhich I’m sure you’re aware of, made of some type of plastic. Easy to cut - I tailored them to fit - they’re finer than the laser produced ones in your kit and would be a boon to your build, I believe. For twelve quid or so, I think they’re worth the investment.

I hope you don’t mind me saying so, Larry, and that you persevere with it; you’ve certainly captured my interest :)

Jonte
 

jonte

Western Thunderer
Hello again, Larry.

Sorry to inundate, but just browsed my photo library and found a picture of the York steps kit. This is what you get:

77199F27-91FD-43FB-90CB-67630C51ECD6.jpeg

This is as far as I got:

0B54F97C-34CA-4589-9154-11EF105A7706.jpeg

But submitted to demonstrate that it can be bashed. There’s some nice nut ‘n’ bolt detail on it too.

Incidentally, going back to the jig-saw join I referred to in the walls in my previous post, I had a similar issue with my build. In O gauge, everything is magnified including little issues such as butt joints which are inevitable with card - I tried mitre-ing, but the less said about that the better - so I used tile grout as a filler which seemed to work.

Please forgive me for hi-jacking, but thought I’d drop in a couple of photos so you can see whether you might like to try it.

02633408-377D-4E01-A43C-AA4F0A6D5297.jpeg

Contrasted with the opposite wall - the rear join - where I really didn’t bother too much as it was to be hidden by fallen earthworks:

ADDF0923-61AE-4F4D-B111-7F1F3208518B.jpeg



Jonte
 

Compton castle

Western Thunderer
Wipe away the excess mortar colour and give it a coat of clear varnish,
Then brush on the mortar colour and wipe the excess away straight away with some tissue.
 

LarryG

Western Thunderer
Thanks for all your input guys. Someone did or does plastic steps with separate side rails to attach. Anyway, we had family over today but the box is finished now except for glazing and interior....
WEB Signalbox Q.jpg WEB Signalbox L.jpg

It was an interesting project and cost very little. It might be used and it might end up on the shelf....
WEB Signalbox M.jpg

These early boxes pre-date the hip roof type with later style window frames. Search as I might, I could not find on an early one with engineering blue brick decoration. I am still tempted to add it though...
WEB Signalbox R.jpg

A similar GWR signalbox to the model at Llanuwchllyn about 12 miles from Corwen. I initially sprayed the model with this depressing bluish-brown brickwork before re-spaying it...
WEB Signalbox N.jpg

I noticed the brickwork goes all the way up to the roof and this appears to be common on these boxes. The model was altered accordingly using Slater embossed brick.
WEB Signalbox P.jpg
 
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jonte

Western Thunderer
Hi Phil.

These are wonderfully atmospheric shots of an area I’ve recently expressed a strong interest in: especially the ‘boxes’.:)

These will prove invaluable when I try my hand at scratchbuilding one in a couple of weeks’ time.

Thanks for being kind enough to share them.

Best wishes,

Jonte
 

LarryG

Western Thunderer
Thanks for posting Philip. Apart from Llan Festiniog, the rest are Cambrian. I can see the differences now. The LCUT box looks to be a bit of both, which I suppose makes it more useful. The brick base being taken to the eaves marks out the GWR box and is probably the major difference. Then there is the wavy decoration on the Cambrian baseboards. I think I am right in saying the signalboxes at Bala Junction, Bala Town and Llan Festiniog have yellow brick bases.

One thing for sure, my model needs a new larger roof!
 

Wagonman

Western Thunderer
My main problem with the LCUT kit is the use of stretcher bond brickwork, not at all appropriate for the period. Intentio kits are vastly better but don't include a GWR signal box. Yet.
 

PhilH

Western Thunderer
These early boxes pre-date the hip roof type with later style window frames. Search as I might, I could not find on an early one with engineering blue brick decoration. I am still tempted to add it though...


BF Central Signal Box CS114BB.jpg

Blaenau Festiniog Central Signal Box - red brick with blue brick plinth and corners.
The station building and goods shed were also blue brick.
I think I am right in saying the signalboxes at Bala Junction, Bala Town and Llan Festiniog have yellow brick bases.

Llan Festiniog Signal Box CS104BB.jpg

Llan Festiniog Signal Box was indeed yellow brick, with slate cladding (mostly disappeared) on its south end.
It may be of interest to note that the platform walls were stone, the station building blue brick and the goods shed red brick.


Llan Festiniog Signal Box  27426BB.jpg
Head on view might be useful to anyone who wants to copy it. Brickwork was in English Garden Wall Bond, a variation on English Bond with three rows of stretchers to one row of headers, common in industrial buildings in Northern England (and apparently some in Wales) but not available in 7mm scale embossed plastic sheet as far as I know. The front wall was 6 ft. from the nearest rail with originally a 4'-6" wide platform of 6 x 9" planks over the rodding adjacent to the front wall.

Bala Signal Box 9A11BB.jpg

Bala Signal Box - I only took this in b&w and enlarged from a larger negative. I would guess possibly red brickwork ?


9A.13BBB.jpg

Llandrillo Signal Box (part) - between Bala and Corwen


Corwen Signal Box 9814BB.jpg

Corwen Signal Box - sited midway along the up platform (enlargement from much larger photo)


 
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