Hey guys!
Can anyone suggest a good resource, or more than one, for doing some Scratchbuilding?
I have detailed 1917 ICC Evaluation plans and drawings of a large brick depot (80’x28’) and wi***o build it for my layout. It is the CStPM&O Depot from Chetek, WI that was built in 1910 and razed in 1965.
The platform is brick with cement curbs. The walls are brick with slapdash(?) above that. Wood frames on windows and doors. Lots of windows. Shingled 1/3 pitched roof. Platform roof with 8 pillors of cement and wood posts.
I do not even know where to start. Maybe kitbash something? Get a large supply of Styrene? Brick sheets? Do a cardstock mock-up?
Are there books? Good websites? Video Clinics?
Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Paul August
I would suggest you search on scratchbuilding in the index of magazines above http://index.mrmag.com/ and pick out a couple of articles that sound close to what you are doing. You can order used issues from http://www.railpub.com/ and the magazines themselves usually have back issues for the last 10 years or so.
Enjoy
Paul
Hi Paul,
First question: have you ever scratchbuilt anything before? If not, I’d suggest starting with something simpler, like a section house or a few sheds to get your basic skills level up to speed. Once you’re comfortable with sheds (and we all need sheds on our layouts!), move up to something more complex, like a row house requiring a porch and a brick foundation. Then work your way up to a simple brick house. Play with different trim and window combinations, and even roofs. Once all this is under your belt, you’ll be able to dive into a more complex project like a signature depot. I’m talking from experience here; about six months ago, I completed my first complex depot, a brick CCC&StL-pattern depot, based solely on mediocre photos. It came out nicely (at least, people tell me so!) and didn’t take that long to build, since I used readliy available styrene components and had about 1/2 dozen simpler depots under my belt (all my depots on my layout are now scratchbuilt).
My primary resource is Mainline Modeler. While the mag might not be for everyone, it DOES contain priceless technique information which I’ve found invaluable. I’d also recommend buying a copy of Evergreen’s stryene modelling book. Also dig through the early 1990s MR’s; there were several articles dealing with the “score & snap” modelling technique that I used for inspiration on my depot project.
Simple enough: .030 or .040 styrene sheet base, laminated Plastruct brick sheet (the best available, now that Holgate & Reynolds is gone). Add strip styrene of the desired dimensions for the curb.
Walls should be .030 styrene, with the door & window openings cut out, form