This just in from The Mearns...

[Scubaidh Dubh]

I'm conscious of the fact that most of my output on the forum so far is weathered RTR locos and stock so, wanting to show that my skills extend beyond this field I though I would share some other stuff here.
As a starter, I produce this NBR standard signal box.
This is from a Pop-Up Designs kit. Although these kits are fairly basic, they form the basis for a very nice model for those who, like me wish to take them further. The structure goes together easily enough although given that the sides essentially interlock at the joints, a bit of effort spent disguising the joins rewards the builder.
Once the model was at a suitable stage, I gave it a good coat of white primer and the next day started the Painting process with an overall coat of a suitable shade for mortar. I use Vallejo acrylics for this work but whatever your personal preference, it will probably do also. The next stage was to drybrush the basic brick red colour.
After that it was just random picking out of individual bricks ; I just nine shades in total including mortar and base brick. The darkest, well fired shade is a mixture of blue and black.
I personally enjoy this part of the process very much as it is virtually a meditative process by means of the repetition and concentration required.
The last stage is to rub a pale, mortar toned powder over the whole assembly. Again, what you use will be a personal choice. I used Ammo brand 'Ballast dust' from the 'Rail Center' range (available from Squires).

 

[John Duffy]

Very nice. I did a similar box when I had an abortive dalliance with the Edinburgh company. This was from Glenfarg. It's still in a box somewhere.



I'm looking forward to seeing where this goes on the layout.

John

 

[Scubaidh Dubh]

That box is still a looker, John.
What I like about these kits is that they take away the need to fabricate a roof. Something I've never really got my head around!

Davy

 

[John Duffy]

That box is still a looker, John.
What I like about these kits is that they take away the need to fabricate a roof. Something I've never really got my head around!

Davy

I dont know why, but I really struggle to do buildings. I see a structure and think it would be great to model and then, well, don't.

The thing for me with the like of these kits is that they might take away some of the drudgery and let me get on with something I enjoy more. Mostly wagon related!

John

 

[Scubaidh Dubh]

That's precisely it, John. I like the idea of doing buildings but I haven't truly got the confidence to tackle them as yet so I find these are a good lead-in skills builder.
I already have a Great North platform shelter on the go. I think I ordered the kit the week I came up here in 2021 scouting around for a place before seeing this gaff!
That's it there behind the 1948 Guy Arab!

 

[paulc]

I'm conscious of the fact that most of my output on the forum so far is weathered RTR locos and stock so, wanting to show that my skills extend beyond this field I though I would share some other stuff here.
As a starter, I produce this NBR standard signal box.
This is from a Pop-Up Designs kit. Although these kits are fairly basic, they form the basis for a very nice model for those who, like me wish to take them further. The structure goes together easily enough although given that the sides essentially interlock at the joints, a bit of effort spent disguising the joins rewards the builder.
Once the model was at a suitable stage, I gave it a good coat of white primer and the next day started the Painting process with an overall coat of a suitable shade for mortar. I use Vallejo acrylics for this work but whatever your personal preference, it will probably do also. The next stage was to drybrush the basic brick red colour.
After that it was just random picking out of individual bricks ; I just nine shades in total including mortar and base brick. The darkest, well fired shade is a mixture of blue and black.
I personally enjoy this part of the process very much as it is virtually a meditative process by means of the repetition and concentration required.
The last stage is to rub a pale, mortar toned powder over the whole assembly. Again, what you use will be a personal choice. I used Ammo brand 'Ballast dust' from the 'Rail Center' range (available from Squires).
View attachment 231705View attachment 231706View attachment 231707View attachment 231708View attachment 231709View attachment 231710View attachment 231711

Nice work especially the painting of the brickwork .

 

[Scubaidh Dubh]

Thanks Paul. It's one of those unexpectedly enjoyable processes.

Davy.

 

[Scubaidh Dubh]

Once I was happy with the brickwork I made a start on tiling the roof with York roof tiles then tried making some flashing from takeaway container foil. Almost got the hang of it now. Still toning it down but quite pleased so far.

Davy.

 

[Scubaidh Dubh]

Fully toned down now. I'm quite pleased with it.

 

[Ian@StEnochs]

You have made a nice job there. There are a couple of Popup buildings I am interested in but am a bit unsure as to how to conceal the quite prominent finger joints. Can I ask you a bit more about how you did your brickwork please? Is it just paint?

 

[Scubaidh Dubh]

I tried to hide the finger joints with a bit of sanding filling and scribing. You can still make them out a little if you look very closely but it's mostly down to knowing they are there that you notice. Most people who don't know will likely miss that. As far as Paint is concerned, being wood I prime it first. I used white rattlecan. The first actual paint to apply is a cement colour for the mortar. Once that's dry (happens very quickly with acrylics on wood), dry brush a basic brick red colour over the raised courses.
After that, it's a case of picking out random bricks in shades of brown and yellow with the last one being a sort of blue black representing those well fired bricks you often see. After you've done all that, you can use a cement grey type colour powder over all the brickwork. This ties everything in and tones and pales out the individual bricks shades whilst emphasising the mortar.
I'm putting gutters on the roof now. When that's done it'll be time for windows, interior and the porch/stairs.

 

[Scubaidh Dubh]

There's been a bit more slow progress on the box although my main focus the last couple of weeks has been upon getting my fireplace into a presentable state.
Since my mate is the brains of that operation (I'm just the grunt who does the donkey work, sweeps up and makes the tea! ), I've had to wait until he has been clear of work commitments, but after a protracted finishing process we're in the home straight with just some final painting and the wooden mantle to go. The gaffer seems to like it though!




Anyhow, I digress. I have been adding the porch, cludgie etc to the box and about to give them some paint.
No photo until I have completed that task, but one thing I have also have been working on is a set of bridge abutments and central pier.
At the moment I'm unsure if this will form a central point do my planned photo plank or a 'Shelfie' type effort in the spare room.
For £11 from eBay, I think it's pretty good and responds well to painting. The methods I used are very similar to those described for the box brickwork but with obvious tonal adjustments to reflect the use of stone rather than brick.
The kit comes with a printed deck too but at the moment I'm looking at upgrading or replacing this as it's a little underweight and the provided bearings a bit over size for a structure of this nature.
I've gone for stonework colours more typical of south of the Highland Boundary Fault.






More later.

Davy.

 

[Scubaidh Dubh]

Approaching the final touches stage with the NB box now. I just need to add some interior details, a couple of insulators and nameboards and I reckon we're done here.






In fact, the fireplace is at last, pretty much done too this week though admittedly, this DIY epic started in the autumn of 2021! It's very satisfying to see it like this with just some superficial details to complete. The biggest, most potentially disruptive job in the gaff completed means I can now do most of the other work myself without undue risk to life and limb!



Davy