Hi Guys
Has any one built a small castle for their railway.
If so what did you use ( I am thinking blue foam should work ) and where did you get the plan to base the model on.
Emphasis on small as castles even a small one are quite large or would I perhaps be better thinking of a border watch tower instead of a castle
When the A frame cottage is finished it seemed a good idea to try a castle next then perhaps a tavern to form a tourist trap for the layout
regards John
John,
Kevin’s dad, Jim Strong, has a great one. I believe its blue insulation board with a vinyl concrete patcher “stucco”. Hopefully Kevin can chime in with details.
-Brian
Hi altterain
WOW!!! That is some castle, starts [:-^] Camelot. or should that be the theme from Snow White.
Looks real good in its setting as well.
Looks like blue foam is the way to go if that’s what its made of I hope Kevin can shed some light on the construction method
I don’t think mine will be quite that grand but hope I can do just as impressive job of it.
regards John
Here is an excellent site for acquiring molds for making parts for castles and any other structures you can imagine.
Captain Stryker
Camalot!
Camalot!
Camalot!
Its only a model…
Shhhhhh !!!
We’ve already got one you silly english kinnnnn-iggitts !
Captain Stryker
Greetings Cap’n,
As an Englishman when I saw the word “castles” mentioned in a railway context I immediately thought of those wonderful locomotives built by our Great Western Railway.
If anyone has room maybe they would like to model the castle at Harlech where the railroad penetrates the castle walls!
Dad’s castle was built from two different types of styrofoam; the beaded stuff and the coarse stuff sold in craft stores. (We built this in the early 80s, before the blue/pink stuff was popular.) It was originally built as part of a Christmas display, so the original coatings weren’t chosen necessarily for longevity. I want to say it was plaster, because I recall it flaking and peeling off. After dad decided that the castle needed to be installed permanently on the railroad, it underwent somewhat of a renovation, with what was left of the original coating being peeled off, and recoated with–I believe–liquid nails or some latex-based mastic. That was then repainted with latex paint, and the castle installed on the railroad. I don’t think the castle’s had any major maintenance on it since then (20 or so years), and it’s held up very well.
Nowdays, dad uses bluefoam and vinyl patching concrete for his buildings, which can be seen in the background of the photo Brian posted, and seen here:
He still uses liquid nails to coat some of the surfaces like the “wood” timbers which are just cut from the bluefoam.
The castle itself is a model of Cinderella’s castle at Disneyworld. He had “plans” of sorts, which if I remember were actually drawings one could use to bake a cake shaped like the castle!
Later,
K
he’s a great artist! (my only concern would be chipping)
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Also check this link, very good info on foam!
http://users.stratuswave.net/~wd8jik/foamcutter/foamcutter.htm
Yes, Yogi is a great guy! I have had the privilege of meeting him twice at ECLSTS where he does in person demonstrations on his many techniques. He inspired my purchase of a Tippi foam cutter which I have used for many projects including an all pink insulation board station I whipped together for my nephew’s LGB set.
-Brian
Hi William
Thanks for foam link.
I see you have now imported a Queensland banana from Aus[swg][:o)]
regards John
Hi allterrain
That’s a neat little station based on anything or just a work of imagination.
For the nephew I think you better make a second one for your railway[:)]
What did you use for the base??
regards John
Thanks John. The little station is just a work of imagination. The base is Hardibacker, cement tile backer board. I give it a couple of coats of paint and use it for bases, roofs and sometimes entire buildings.
-Brian
These two have bases and roofs of Hardibacker (structure is treated lumber)
This factory is all Hardibacker
Hi guys
I have found a castle that suits my needs but have run into a small hick up.
It is a war games size suitable for 15mm figures for the uninitiated that’s 15mm from the sole of the boots to eye level.
Daft though this sounds I am not quite sure how many times to multiply its size to get it up to a suitable size to match the A frame cottage at about 16mm scale give or take a little bit
Its a fairly simple one consisting of a keep with like a small tower extension that forms the gate house attached to one corner there are no curtain walls or anything like that to worry about
So relatively speaking it will be quite small but does have a couple of challenging bits to make me think.
It will still have quite a foot print, I have to admit the silly thought of having a knight or the king surveying his domain has crossed my mind [swg]
regards John
Hi altterain
Now they are nice buildings lot better than my efforts so far.
They are going on the work area wall to remind me to take my time and get better results.
Am I right in thinking the freight house has a sand paper or similar roof sheeting applied.
regards John
Me rather have a Queen LMAO…
Ok, a cute Queen…but ya’ll all know I am a sick G Gauge type of guy[}:)]
Ole Chap, How is that ATSF engine coming along by the way?
Hi William
ATSF works a treat now just waiting for coupling for front unfortunately the friend sending the coupling has had to go to Melbourne for two weeks.
I think I have just about worked out how to empty the memory card on the camera its complete enough for a photo.
I was surprised the difference just getting the cab step on made.
Back on topic
That’s a different thought will have to check the Schleich catalogue and see if they do the Queen and have a think about that, it would be a slightly different twist on things
They do the King, knights I am pretty sure they do a Wizard who I think looks a bit like Disney’s Merlin may be they do other members of the court.
regards John
John,
Oh man, forgot about the court jester!!! [:o)]
John,
Thanks John. I have tried sandpaper before and did not like the results. I now use tread / anti skid tape made for outdoors stairs. It sticks to most materials quite well (except to itself so it will curl up on the edge). This a kit building with it (the building is on a pink foam board base) -
-Brian