I had planned to start work on the point rodding this week, but unfortunately I've mislaid an etch for the cranks, and other bits and pieces. So whilst I awaited replacements, I've been working on the other embankment, and started to construct the platform, and station yard foundations.
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There's nothing groundbreaking, or high tech here, its just cereal packaging and scraps of 'Foamex'. The platform face has not yet been attached, that will have to wait, because I've yet to scribe and paint the stonework. Once the platform surface has been fitted, the card lattice embankment support, will be gently lifted and glued onto it, to eventually give a seamless joint between the two.
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This lovely photo of New Radnor station building, appears here with the kind permission of Paul, he of Albion Yard fame. At the suggestion of Barry Norman, I attempted to model this building for the original Llangunllo. Alas it looked out of place, out of proportion and larger than I expected, which came as a surprise given the buildings relatively small footprint.
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However, I decided to look at the design again, and chose this example of the same basic building, as I feel its proportions look far better.
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Using the original drawings for the proposed, but never built 'Limekilns' (Dolyhir) station building, which can be found in 'The New Radnor Branch' by Nicolas de Courtais. I drew out a simple fold up model on a piece of card, just as I was taught at Primary School, more years ago than I care to remember. It was simple exercises such as this which taught us how to measure, cut and score materials. I'm told by our teacher son, that such modelling exercises are no longer taught in the classrooms of his school. I find that such a shame, because those simple lessons, and the skills that I learned have served me well.
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Anyway, returning to the model, or more accurately, the mock up, once assembled it turned out to be far too large, or is the original Llangunllo building too small? I had been using the dimensions as written on the plans, and I see no reason to assume that they are incorrect.
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The beauty of these mock ups is that they can be easily dismantled, reworked and used again. So I carried out some slight adjustments to the buildings height, width and length. The size of the door and windows have yet to be adjusted, the pitch of the roof would also benefit if it was shallower.
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What next, well I'll leave the building in place as it is for a day or two. I'll take some photos of 1455 and its single coach in the platform, study them, then perhaps I'll make further adjustments, add some extra detail. Then if I'm happy, and feel the building will fit in place, I'll either build a proper model, or look elsewhere for inspiration.
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This morning was spent designing the Mk3 station building, I adjusted the pitch of the roof, moved the toilet block to the other end of the building, and reduced the length of the main building by a scale two feet. Feeling more than happy with those simple mods, I added some etched windows, card sills and lintels. The latter should be arched, and they will be on the proper model, small adjustments were made to the size of the main door, and a plinth rounded things off nicely.
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I think the building sits much better in the scene now, and it will definitely be built. The main shell of the building will be constructed from 3mm 'Foamex'. Stonework and lintels being scribed onto its surface, the plinth will be made from styrene sheet, as will the roof. Slates from York Modelmaking are in stock, so there is nothing stopping me from cracking on with the build.
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So that's the design for the new Llangunllo station building sorted, in the meantime the platform needs completing, and seeing as my point rodding cranks have arrived, that's another job to get on with.
There's nothing groundbreaking, or high tech here, its just cereal packaging and scraps of 'Foamex'. The platform face has not yet been attached, that will have to wait, because I've yet to scribe and paint the stonework. Once the platform surface has been fitted, the card lattice embankment support, will be gently lifted and glued onto it, to eventually give a seamless joint between the two.
This lovely photo of New Radnor station building, appears here with the kind permission of Paul, he of Albion Yard fame. At the suggestion of Barry Norman, I attempted to model this building for the original Llangunllo. Alas it looked out of place, out of proportion and larger than I expected, which came as a surprise given the buildings relatively small footprint.
However, I decided to look at the design again, and chose this example of the same basic building, as I feel its proportions look far better.
Using the original drawings for the proposed, but never built 'Limekilns' (Dolyhir) station building, which can be found in 'The New Radnor Branch' by Nicolas de Courtais. I drew out a simple fold up model on a piece of card, just as I was taught at Primary School, more years ago than I care to remember. It was simple exercises such as this which taught us how to measure, cut and score materials. I'm told by our teacher son, that such modelling exercises are no longer taught in the classrooms of his school. I find that such a shame, because those simple lessons, and the skills that I learned have served me well.
Anyway, returning to the model, or more accurately, the mock up, once assembled it turned out to be far too large, or is the original Llangunllo building too small? I had been using the dimensions as written on the plans, and I see no reason to assume that they are incorrect.
The beauty of these mock ups is that they can be easily dismantled, reworked and used again. So I carried out some slight adjustments to the buildings height, width and length. The size of the door and windows have yet to be adjusted, the pitch of the roof would also benefit if it was shallower.
What next, well I'll leave the building in place as it is for a day or two. I'll take some photos of 1455 and its single coach in the platform, study them, then perhaps I'll make further adjustments, add some extra detail. Then if I'm happy, and feel the building will fit in place, I'll either build a proper model, or look elsewhere for inspiration.
This morning was spent designing the Mk3 station building, I adjusted the pitch of the roof, moved the toilet block to the other end of the building, and reduced the length of the main building by a scale two feet. Feeling more than happy with those simple mods, I added some etched windows, card sills and lintels. The latter should be arched, and they will be on the proper model, small adjustments were made to the size of the main door, and a plinth rounded things off nicely.
I think the building sits much better in the scene now, and it will definitely be built. The main shell of the building will be constructed from 3mm 'Foamex'. Stonework and lintels being scribed onto its surface, the plinth will be made from styrene sheet, as will the roof. Slates from York Modelmaking are in stock, so there is nothing stopping me from cracking on with the build.
So that's the design for the new Llangunllo station building sorted, in the meantime the platform needs completing, and seeing as my point rodding cranks have arrived, that's another job to get on with.