Thank you, yeah it's growing on me. Learnt a lot from building the engine shed, goods shed is easier but a lot larger so watch this space. Regards Chris
Hi Chris, Sorry for the delayed reply, I’ve only just today had the time to watch the video. I’m gobsmacked, that’s a great result. I’ve been experimenting with some N gauge stuff recently, and even with CAD and a laser cutter, assembly in this scale is so fiddly, so to have scratch built in this scale is a real achievement and I hope you feel proud. You’ve studied your prototype, and the result shows the fruits of your labours in doing so. Thank you for sharing your whole process, it’s natural to be self-critical, that’s how we improve. As for the mistake with the roof, no matter how skilled and experienced we become, we will all continue to make them. So laugh it off as part of the fun, I recently made a huge blunder, which I’m looking forward to sharing soon. 😀 Anyway, thanks for the update and I’m looking forward to the goods shed build. If I can help at all, please do drop me a line. All the best, James
Thank you James. I thought you had forgotten all about me. Saying its a great result means a lot. After watching your videos I could improve my design and build substantially and I would do it different which hopefully would make tiling the roof easier. I have not given up on those tiles. I am hoping to master the way you do your CAD drawings so I can at least get it all correct on paper at least. That way all angles will be the same and correct along with measurements which they were not in my design. That was through hurrying and not paying enough attention along with it being my first attempt. I was also mindful of trying to get the video out which to a degree made me hurry. Yes the goods shed will be built slowly but surely, if it turns out better then that will be all to the good for the building of the Terminus. I then might go back at a later date to the engine shed. Regards Chris
I feel humbled. Doing something like that engine shed as a first scratchbuild is fantastic. You will certainly learn from you mistakes, but don't beat yourself about them - just enjoy the fact that you have built a good representation of a prototype building which, unless you point out the mistakes, most people will believe it really represents the prototype.
Hi Eric, thanks for that, I did take my time to be honest and yes it,s not too bad I guess. Looking forward to getting the bench work and base down now but still waiting for my roof window to be put in as it's like a furnace up there at the moment. Regards Chris
Glad you enjoyed it Phil. Metcalfe in my books do not really lend themselves to being converted, also tends to be quite expensive going down that route due to the amount of kits you have to purchase. I really like the Scalscenes ones. A lot more realistic and very cheap. You purchase and download one kit and you can use it as many times as you want, which means extending buildings is cheap as chips. So my next attempt at the Engine Shed will be using Scalescenes. Bugger the rivets LOL. Regards Chris
At least you are trying and are willing to show what you are doing no matter the outcome. I am w the others in that you did a solid job. One of the things that you might consider is a bit of a paint job to make it all more subtle. Good on ya, Chris! John
Hi John, thank you very much for your kind remarks, like the solid job bit. I think I was being very hard on myself at the time but the more I look at it the more it grows on me. Its only the roof I dislike which I intend one day to do again but correctly next time. When it comes to fitting it in place then I was going to paint it, so again it should look even better. Hope you enjoy the other videos. Was up in the loft this evening gluing and screwing more L girders, Makes me realise how big my loft is, very exciting. Regards Chris
Forgot to mention Chris but it's easier to paint the white edges before assembly. I found out the hard way as well(3 kits). Doh. I still applaud you though for a very ambitious build.👏👏👏
Hi Chris - I think we are our own worst critics and it does need someone else to say it looks great to realise that actually you have done a good job. I am the same and look at my layout for what does not look good rather than what has come out well. For you first attempt it is excellent and bravo to you for starting with something as complicated . Yes we all learn from mistakes and do things differently but when someone looks at the layout and says how good the engine shed looks you can proudly say I made that myself. Give yourself a pat on the back ....Cheers Kev
Cheers Kev, much appreciated. Yeah I am over it now, like you said I am my worst own critic. Its growing on me and to be honest I think it might look better on an actual layout. Thank you for the support mate. Regards Chris
Well done, so frustrating to make an easy mistake and after all those hours. I've only built the Metcalfe viaduct but hope to do some kit bashing at some stage, you certainly need plenty of patience which you obviously have. my next build will be an N gauge goods shed. I have learnt some good tips from your video's so keep them coming.
Thank you very much Richard, glad hope you liked the engine shed, one day I might rebuild it when I get better at scratch building, but in the meantime it will go on the layout. Yes the next build will be the goods shed here at Bognor which is still standing in all its glory. This is an easier build although larger and having learnt from the engine shed I am hoping it will look much better. Sadly I am back at work and after having four months off at my age I come home now absolutely exhausted so nothing going on in the loft at the moment. I have our onsuite shower to rebuild and sadly the money for the roof window in the loft has had to go towards a new car. But it is cooler up there and I have the money for the wood so watch this space. Regards Chris
Hi Chris. by the way the engine looks great. only you know its the wrong way round. but does it matter. i dont thinks so. you should listen to your good lady, it your railway. you should be pleased with your efforts. it still a work of art.............stay safe.........all the best Tony
Hi Tony - Apologies for not replying, just did not see the message. Coming from you that is a compliment but as I look at the engine shed now I notice there is an awful lot wrong with it. I enjoyed building it and certainly learnt a lot from it. I am quite sure it can be improved, but this time using Scalescenes. Just getting over my first bout of Covid, my goodness dont want that again, felt like we were dying. Regards Chris
Hi Chris. we are all are our owe worst critic's, I wouldn't have noticed the wrong window positions if you hadn't of said, I my self have always worked in plasticard over card/ paper, the job you have done is excellent, what you must remember 2mm is bloody frustrating, I came from both 12'' to the foot gauge (Colne Valley Railway, Castle Hedingham, were I spent from 1979 to 2019) & O gauge, down to 'N' gauge, having moved onto a 40' narrow boat (living area 30'x6'4'' area), so a 3'x1' layout seams well less is minuet! but the main thing is at least you tried, and not gong down the shop brought way, and said that will do!
Hi Vinny - Only just seen your message, sincere apologies for not replying a year earlier. Yes I learnt a lot from that build and enjoyed every minute of it, mistakes included. Next time I am going down the Scalescenes route. I think they are more realistic and certainly more adaptable to conversions etc. Like you say after all it is N gauge LOL Regards Chris
Balsa cement is really good for card , i used it for superquick kits 40yrs ago , your doing a grand job , im my own worst enemy as we all are so dont put yerself down matey....i use a head magnifier all the time as its a big help when you get to my age..😂...ye get good uns from amazon cheap...👍
Hi Jim, yeah I have a head magnifier along with a desk lamp magnifier, perhaps I should use them both at the same time lol. Im glad you liked the shed, I have got used to it now, it's grown on me. Back and busy at work so early nights sadly but the next stage of the build will happen. Baseboard structure going up soon I hope along with baseboard as I have purchased the wood which is in the garage. So watch this space please. Regards Chris
Well to be frank Chris I think that the build is Brilliant! you are already worlds apart from many modellers whom wouldn't even attempt such a build, Don't be so hard on yourself, we all make mistakes on our builds, but only we notice them because as you say we are our own worst critique. The more you build, the better and easier things become, because we all find our own ways of doing things that work for us. I wouldn't even worry about the rivet counters, a lot of it is just jealousy and a lot of modelling in N-gauge is more a representation, as they say if it looks right that's all that matters. It is your layout so do what you want. Keep up the good work! and keep those buildings coming, as I'm sure you still have a few to build :) all the best Tony
Thank you Tony, that means a lot to me. Im so glad you think it looks brilliant, both my missus and son think it looks great. The next one will only get better and it might be bigger but nowhere as complicated. I am still in two minds about the tiling though, possible a bit to fiddly for N gauge. Regards Chris
@@Chris-BognorRegis I think the tiling helps to make it! Especially in N-gauge it's the roofs that we tend to notice as we are often looking from above, and you think it's fiddly, well my Dad still tiles all his roofs slate by slate and that includes his N-gauge builds.
Hi Chris. I think it looks great and will really help make your layout individual to you and based on the real location. I’m really nervous about starting my buildings so it’s great to hear your lessons learned at the end of your videos. Working in N gauge must be hard as I find oo gauge hard enough! Great to hear you will soon be starting on the layout proper. Good luck. Hugh
I spent a good month building the engine shed and learnt a helluva lot. Next time will be easier, just take your time. Still not too sure about doing roofs though, looking at other avenues. Looking forward to how you will do yours. Regards Chris
Don't be far too self critical. When its weathered it will look great. As for lighting I agree. It suits some layouts but it can end up looking like a fairground, and the period you are modelling wasn't heavily lit. The dark old days of poor lighting and lots of smoke. Carry on the great work Chris. Clive.
Cheers Clive but that's me but I get over it till next time lol. Yes your right, weathering will cover up a number of goofs and to be honest the engine shed has grown on me. Agreed it was a dim and dark period and I still remember some really bad smoggy days in London when you could not see your hand in front of your face but as a kid that was exciting. Lit up layouts have never appealed to me, cannot say why just dont float my boat but they are clever and do look good but not for me. Regards Chris
Right Chris, listen to what everyone else has said. Kit bashing and scratch building are not easy mate. N Gauge is so fiddly and very frustrating, what you have done is an achievement even if you’re not sure. You can at some later date do it again, all of our skills move onto different levels as we go and we need the experience to gain them. I applaud you for doing what you’ve done and get into another one when you’re ready. Maybe try a Scalescenes kit it’s kind of a half way house between scratch building and building a Metcalfe kit. The good thing is if you get it wrong you can print it again and make it better. Looking forward to the baseboard build, i bet you can’t wait to get cracking. Hope you had a beer or two to get over it, I’m still building the RMV Scillonian and boy some of the bits are small. I’m doing a bit at a time because it is very frustrating!!!!! Cheers for now Chris, John
Cheers John, yeah I realise that now but I filmed just after I had finished it and realised my mistake, hence feeling gutted. Have to say the building is growing on me but I would do it a lot different next time. Still not sure about the tiles though. Regards Chris
Lol! It’s easier not to do the tiles , keep looking for other alternatives Chris. I think I saw some plastic tiles by Peco which could be easier, cheers mate
Hi Chris, how’s it going mate, haven’t heard from you for a while. Are you up in the loft yet, baseboards going up? I’m almost at the point of track laying, my wood work is basically done so it’s almost like a new start! Keep in touch mate, can’t wait to see what you’ve been up to, cheers John
Hi John, all good here mate. Four months off on furlough and the loft was like a furnace. As soon as it starts to cool down up there I get called back to work, this is the third week back now and in a new job role within the company. So now that it is cool enough to get back into the loft I have to go back to work lol. Whether it is the new role or having had four months off or both certainly not my age (I wish) when I finish for the day I am absolutely shattered. Get home, take dog for walk, eat dinner, fall asleep. Have started laying the last remaining floorboards I can then start on the layout staging which I have enough wood to complete about a third of. Just got to get my strength and desire to get back into the hobby now. Have been watching your videos and loving every minute of it, only request is could we have some footage from the doorway so we can see the layout in it's entirety. Regards Chris
Hi Chris, brilliant news getting back to work I know how you feel about being knackered after work! It’s probably why I didn’t take this hobby up years ago. I will in the next episode do a door shot for you, it’s funny you should mention that as that’s something I want to see on other peoples layouts, so yes no problem. I shall look forward to seeing your future episodes Chris, cheers for now mate, John
Hi Chris. Your office block/water tower is not "bloody awful"; it's not perfect, but you are at the beginning of the learning curve and you will only improve as you go along - your roof tiling is a case in point. Bits won't stick: I just wonder if a better adhesive was the answer. Deliberate mistake: who hasn't made one (or more) of these.
Looks OK to me, considering you haven't done this before, I thought you might be able to move the water tower and office on the opposite side and end so roof is right way around, just an idea. Anyway keep up the good work and best of luck with your build.
Hi Dave, I did consider that but the water tower cuts into the two last sections of roof and I would have to do a lot of cutting to fit it on the opposite side and repair the other along with cutting windows where the water tower is at the moment if you get my drift. I have made it so robust I think I might cause a lot of damage trying to take it apart. Like you say it looks ok it's just me but it will go on the layout and who knows some years down the road I might rebuild it or just redo the roof again the proper way round if I can get it apart. Regards Chris
I think it looks good Chris. Just the fact that you have attempted to do something this involved is something you should be proud of and will inspire others to give kit bashing a go. Of course being your first attempt there will be things you will want to do differently next time but that's all part of the learning process. Keep up the good work! Cheers John
Thank you John, wise words my friend. Must admit the building is growing on me and of course its just a building with nothing around it. Once its on a layout it should blend better into the background, not to say I won try to build it again but that will be long into the future. Regards Chris
Chris you mustn't be so hard on yourself. I thought the Water Tower looked great and made good use of the bits of the Metcalfe kit you used. The roof looked great and the whole model will be a real talking point on the layout. You may know it isn't right but no one else will and don't tell them. As you said yourself you are working in N gauge and that takes a while to get used to working in - as I found when I started my layout. Your first scratch build - it isn't kit bashing because you are making something completely different to the kit - is a tall order requiring a lot of fabrication of original bits. I suggest you give yourself a pat on the back, recognise the great thing you have done and raise a glass of your beverage of choice to yourself in salute.
Cheers Stephen you are a mate, you have made me feel a lot better. I am my worse critic sadly, really bad when I was a lot younger. Next bit is the layout itself which I am really looking forward to. Regards Chris
A very ambitious first build. The thing is you finished it. Not impressed by the roof tiles, lot of time and effort. Once it's in place on the layout and weathered in, it will look pretty good. I don't scratch build very much anymore, I tend to adapt kits(mainly Metcalfe) and find them really good. I use Roket card glue for an almost instant grab so only spots needed. Not quite so difficult to remove if and when I get it wrong. Liked the small scissors you had there. Where did you get them? Well done on persevering with it. Good luck.
Hi Colin, yes an extremely ambitious first build but I had to start somewhere and I learnt an awful lot doing it. I am basically very happy with it, the main building looks quite good. But like you the roof is awful and was a lot of work for no result apart from an awful one. I intend to take the roof off and redo it. Looking into new roofing materials on the market. I wish MetCalfe sold roofing sheets as I have been shown how to really improve them with very little effort. This way I can put the glazing panels on the roof on the correct side this time. I have never been happy with the water tank section. I built it that wide to go with the tank I purchased but it looks far too narrow and not to scale so I intend to remove that, try and build a tank that is to scale and then the building around it. I can use the frontage, just the sides need to be rebuilt. Then I can put the new roof on the offices and this time it will not be upside down ooops, only just discovered that boo boo lol. The scissors I purchased from Squires Model & Craft Tools based in Bognor and not far from me (www.squirestools.com/home.htm) They are in the Mini Hand Tools Catalogue which is on line, page T22 under Tweezers Scissors Straight Code 140-276 and priced at £6.22p. Regards Chris
The wife is exactly right Chris, its your layout, your design and your building - if it was a kit one then fair enough but no matter what I reckon it's a brilliant job, those extra's under the eves have paid off they look really good. Just one question, do you think it would have been easier to do the roof on one sheet rather separate sheets? Bit like a concertina effect? I'm just thinking ahead not to have the same issues as you so picking your brains! Regards, Steve.
Hi Steve - the roof really spoils it along with the size of the water tower, not wide enough. But for all that I did learn quite a bit and will do much better next time when I attempt a rebuild of the engine shed. For a start I will no longer be using Metcalf, they are not that good for rearranging and the roofs could be improved. Instead I will be using Scalescenes in future. Far more realistic looking and also made to be scratch building. Yeah I did not like the York roof kits, far too fiddly for N gauge, Scalescenes look far better and a darn sight easier. I will video it when I start the build also its a lot cheaper than Metcalf. Regards Chris
We are always our own worst critics! You've done a splendid job! It will look brilliant on the layout.
Thank you, yeah it's growing on me. Learnt a lot from building the engine shed, goods shed is easier but a lot larger so watch this space.
Regards Chris
Hi Chris,
Sorry for the delayed reply, I’ve only just today had the time to watch the video.
I’m gobsmacked, that’s a great result. I’ve been experimenting with some N gauge stuff recently, and even with CAD and a laser cutter, assembly in this scale is so fiddly, so to have scratch built in this scale is a real achievement and I hope you feel proud.
You’ve studied your prototype, and the result shows the fruits of your labours in doing so.
Thank you for sharing your whole process, it’s natural to be self-critical, that’s how we improve.
As for the mistake with the roof, no matter how skilled and experienced we become, we will all continue to make them. So laugh it off as part of the fun, I recently made a huge blunder, which I’m looking forward to sharing soon. 😀
Anyway, thanks for the update and I’m looking forward to the goods shed build. If I can help at all, please do drop me a line.
All the best,
James
Thank you James. I thought you had forgotten all about me. Saying its a great result means a lot. After watching your videos I could improve my design and build substantially and I would do it different which hopefully would make tiling the roof easier. I have not given up on those tiles. I am hoping to master the way you do your CAD drawings so I can at least get it all correct on paper at least. That way all angles will be the same and correct along with measurements which they were not in my design. That was through hurrying and not paying enough attention along with it being my first attempt. I was also mindful of trying to get the video out which to a degree made me hurry.
Yes the goods shed will be built slowly but surely, if it turns out better then that will be all to the good for the building of the Terminus. I then might go back at a later date to the engine shed.
Regards Chris
I feel humbled. Doing something like that engine shed as a first scratchbuild is fantastic. You will certainly learn from you mistakes, but don't beat yourself about them - just enjoy the fact that you have built a good representation of a prototype building which, unless you point out the mistakes, most people will believe it really represents the prototype.
Hi Eric, thanks for that, I did take my time to be honest and yes it,s not too bad I guess. Looking forward to getting the bench work and base down now but still waiting for my roof window to be put in as it's like a furnace up there at the moment.
Regards Chris
Great job, don’t count the rivets enjoy the work, well done .
Glad you enjoyed it Phil. Metcalfe in my books do not really lend themselves to being converted, also tends to be quite expensive going down that route due to the amount of kits you have to purchase.
I really like the Scalscenes ones. A lot more realistic and very cheap. You purchase and download one kit and you can use it as many times as you want, which means extending buildings is cheap as chips. So my next attempt at the Engine Shed will be using Scalescenes. Bugger the rivets LOL.
Regards Chris
At least you are trying and are willing to show what you are doing no matter the outcome. I am w the others in that you did a solid job. One of the things that you might consider is a bit of a paint job to make it all more subtle. Good on ya, Chris! John
Hi John, thank you very much for your kind remarks, like the solid job bit. I think I was being very hard on myself at the time but the more I look at it the more it grows on me. Its only the roof I dislike which I intend one day to do again but correctly next time. When it comes to fitting it in place then I was going to paint it, so again it should look even better. Hope you enjoy the other videos. Was up in the loft this evening gluing and screwing more L girders, Makes me realise how big my loft is, very exciting.
Regards Chris
Forgot to mention Chris but it's easier to paint the white edges before assembly. I found out the hard way as well(3 kits). Doh. I still applaud you though for a very ambitious build.👏👏👏
Still learning Colin but thanks.
Regards Chris
Hi Chris - I think we are our own worst critics and it does need someone else to say it looks great to realise that actually you have done a good job. I am the same and look at my layout for what does not look good rather than what has come out well. For you first attempt it is excellent and bravo to you for starting with something as complicated . Yes we all learn from mistakes and do things differently but when someone looks at the layout and says how good the engine shed looks you can proudly say I made that myself. Give yourself a pat on the back ....Cheers Kev
Cheers Kev, much appreciated. Yeah I am over it now, like you said I am my worst own critic. Its growing on me and to be honest I think it might look better on an actual layout.
Thank you for the support mate.
Regards Chris
Well done, so frustrating to make an easy mistake and after all those hours. I've only built the Metcalfe viaduct but hope to do some kit bashing at some stage, you certainly need plenty of patience which you obviously have. my next build will be an N gauge goods shed. I have learnt some good tips from your video's so keep them coming.
Thank you very much Richard, glad hope you liked the engine shed, one day I might rebuild it when I get better at scratch building, but in the meantime it will go on the layout. Yes the next build will be the goods shed here at Bognor which is still standing in all its glory. This is an easier build although larger and having learnt from the engine shed I am hoping it will look much better.
Sadly I am back at work and after having four months off at my age I come home now absolutely exhausted so nothing going on in the loft at the moment. I have our onsuite shower to rebuild and sadly the money for the roof window in the loft has had to go towards a new car. But it is cooler up there and I have the money for the wood so watch this space.
Regards Chris
Looks great, creative and realistic job!
Thank you Phil, I will redo the roof one day but baseboard and train running is the priority now.
Regards Chris
Hi Chris. by the way the engine looks great. only you know its the wrong way round. but does it matter. i dont thinks so. you should listen to your good lady, it your railway. you should be pleased with your efforts. it still a work of art.............stay safe.........all the best Tony
Hi Tony - Apologies for not replying, just did not see the message.
Coming from you that is a compliment but as I look at the engine shed now I notice there is an awful lot wrong with it.
I enjoyed building it and certainly learnt a lot from it. I am quite sure it can be improved, but this time using Scalescenes.
Just getting over my first bout of Covid, my goodness dont want that again, felt like we were dying.
Regards Chris
Hi Chris. we are all are our owe worst critic's, I wouldn't have noticed the wrong window positions if you hadn't of said, I my self have always worked in plasticard over card/ paper, the job you have done is excellent, what you must remember 2mm is bloody frustrating, I came from both 12'' to the foot gauge (Colne Valley Railway, Castle Hedingham, were I spent from 1979 to 2019) & O gauge, down to 'N' gauge, having moved onto a 40' narrow boat (living area 30'x6'4'' area), so a 3'x1' layout seams well less is minuet! but the main thing is at least you tried, and not gong down the shop brought way, and said that will do!
Hi Vinny - Only just seen your message, sincere apologies for not replying a year earlier.
Yes I learnt a lot from that build and enjoyed every minute of it, mistakes included.
Next time I am going down the Scalescenes route. I think they are more realistic and certainly more adaptable to conversions etc.
Like you say after all it is N gauge LOL
Regards Chris
Balsa cement is really good for card , i used it for superquick kits 40yrs ago , your doing a grand job , im my own worst enemy as we all are so dont put yerself down matey....i use a head magnifier all the time as its a big help when you get to my age..😂...ye get good uns from amazon cheap...👍
Hi Jim, yeah I have a head magnifier along with a desk lamp magnifier, perhaps I should use them both at the same time lol. Im glad you liked the shed, I have got used to it now, it's grown on me. Back and busy at work so early nights sadly but the next stage of the build will happen. Baseboard structure going up soon I hope along with baseboard as I have purchased the wood which is in the garage. So watch this space please.
Regards Chris
Well to be frank Chris I think that the build is Brilliant! you are already worlds apart from many modellers whom wouldn't even attempt such a build, Don't be so hard on yourself, we all make mistakes on our builds, but only we notice them because as you say we are our own worst critique. The more you build, the better and easier things become, because we all find our own ways of doing things that work for us. I wouldn't even worry about the rivet counters, a lot of it is just jealousy and a lot of modelling in N-gauge is more a representation, as they say if it looks right that's all that matters. It is your layout so do what you want. Keep up the good work! and keep those buildings coming, as I'm sure you still have a few to build :) all the best Tony
Thank you Tony, that means a lot to me. Im so glad you think it looks brilliant, both my missus and son think it looks great. The next one will only get better and it might be bigger but nowhere as complicated. I am still in two minds about the tiling though, possible a bit to fiddly for N gauge.
Regards Chris
@@Chris-BognorRegis I think the tiling helps to make it! Especially in N-gauge it's the roofs that we tend to notice as we are often looking from above, and you think it's fiddly, well my Dad still tiles all his roofs slate by slate and that includes his N-gauge builds.
Hi Chris. I think it looks great and will really help make your layout individual to you and based on the real location. I’m really nervous about starting my buildings so it’s great to hear your lessons learned at the end of your videos. Working in N gauge must be hard as I find oo gauge hard enough! Great to hear you will soon be starting on the layout proper. Good luck. Hugh
I spent a good month building the engine shed and learnt a helluva lot. Next time will be easier, just take your time. Still not too sure about doing roofs though, looking at other avenues. Looking forward to how you will do yours.
Regards Chris
Don't be far too self critical. When its weathered it will look great. As for lighting I agree. It suits some layouts but it can end up looking like a fairground, and the period you are modelling wasn't heavily lit. The dark old days of poor lighting and lots of smoke. Carry on the great work Chris. Clive.
Cheers Clive but that's me but I get over it till next time lol. Yes your right, weathering will cover up a number of goofs and to be honest the engine shed has grown on me. Agreed it was a dim and dark period and I still remember some really bad smoggy days in London when you could not see your hand in front of your face but as a kid that was exciting.
Lit up layouts have never appealed to me, cannot say why just dont float my boat but they are clever and do look good but not for me.
Regards Chris
Right Chris, listen to what everyone else has said. Kit bashing and scratch building are not easy mate. N Gauge is so fiddly and very frustrating, what you have done is an achievement even if you’re not sure. You can at some later date do it again, all of our skills move onto different levels as we go and we need the experience to gain them. I applaud you for doing what you’ve done and get into another one when you’re ready. Maybe try a Scalescenes kit it’s kind of a half way house between scratch building and building a Metcalfe kit. The good thing is if you get it wrong you can print it again and make it better. Looking forward to the baseboard build, i bet you can’t wait to get cracking. Hope you had a beer or two to get over it, I’m still building the RMV Scillonian and boy some of the bits are small. I’m doing a bit at a time because it is very frustrating!!!!! Cheers for now Chris, John
Cheers John, yeah I realise that now but I filmed just after I had finished it and realised my mistake, hence feeling gutted. Have to say the building is growing on me but I would do it a lot different next time. Still not sure about the tiles though.
Regards Chris
Lol! It’s easier not to do the tiles , keep looking for other alternatives Chris. I think I saw some plastic tiles by Peco which could be easier, cheers mate
Hi Chris, how’s it going mate, haven’t heard from you for a while. Are you up in the loft yet, baseboards going up? I’m almost at the point of track laying, my wood work is basically done so it’s almost like a new start! Keep in touch mate, can’t wait to see what you’ve been up to, cheers John
Hi John, all good here mate. Four months off on furlough and the loft was like a furnace. As soon as it starts to cool down up there I get called back to work, this is the third week back now and in a new job role within the company. So now that it is cool enough to get back into the loft I have to go back to work lol. Whether it is the new role or having had four months off or both certainly not my age (I wish) when I finish for the day I am absolutely shattered. Get home, take dog for walk, eat dinner, fall asleep. Have started laying the last remaining floorboards I can then start on the layout staging which I have enough wood to complete about a third of. Just got to get my strength and desire to get back into the hobby now.
Have been watching your videos and loving every minute of it, only request is could we have some footage from the doorway so we can see the layout in it's entirety.
Regards Chris
Hi Chris, brilliant news getting back to work I know how you feel about being knackered after work! It’s probably why I didn’t take this hobby up years ago. I will in the next episode do a door shot for you, it’s funny you should mention that as that’s something I want to see on other peoples layouts, so yes no problem. I shall look forward to seeing your future episodes Chris, cheers for now mate, John
Hi Chris. Your office block/water tower is not "bloody awful"; it's not perfect, but you are at the beginning of the learning curve and you will only improve as you go along - your roof tiling is a case in point. Bits won't stick: I just wonder if a better adhesive was the answer. Deliberate mistake: who hasn't made one (or more) of these.
Cheers Paul, hope your enjoying the series.
Regards Chris
Looks OK to me, considering you haven't done this before, I thought you might be able to move the water tower and office on the opposite side and end so roof is right way around, just an idea. Anyway keep up the good work and best of luck with your build.
Hi Dave, I did consider that but the water tower cuts into the two last sections of roof and I would have to do a lot of cutting to fit it on the opposite side and repair the other along with cutting windows where the water tower is at the moment if you get my drift. I have made it so robust I think I might cause a lot of damage trying to take it apart. Like you say it looks ok it's just me but it will go on the layout and who knows some years down the road I might rebuild it or just redo the roof again the proper way round if I can get it apart.
Regards Chris
I think it looks good Chris. Just the fact that you have attempted to do something this involved is something you should be proud of and will inspire others to give kit bashing a go. Of course being your first attempt there will be things you will want to do differently next time but that's all part of the learning process. Keep up the good work! Cheers John
Thank you John, wise words my friend. Must admit the building is growing on me and of course its just a building with nothing around it. Once its on a layout it should blend better into the background, not to say I won try to build it again but that will be long into the future.
Regards Chris
Chris you mustn't be so hard on yourself. I thought the Water Tower looked great and made good use of the bits of the Metcalfe kit you used. The roof looked great and the whole model will be a real talking point on the layout. You may know it isn't right but no one else will and don't tell them. As you said yourself you are working in N gauge and that takes a while to get used to working in - as I found when I started my layout. Your first scratch build - it isn't kit bashing because you are making something completely different to the kit - is a tall order requiring a lot of fabrication of original bits. I suggest you give yourself a pat on the back, recognise the great thing you have done and raise a glass of your beverage of choice to yourself in salute.
Cheers Stephen you are a mate, you have made me feel a lot better. I am my worse critic sadly, really bad when I was a lot younger. Next bit is the layout itself which I am really looking forward to.
Regards Chris
A very ambitious first build. The thing is you finished it. Not impressed by the roof tiles, lot of time and effort. Once it's in place on the layout and weathered in, it will look pretty good. I don't scratch build very much anymore, I tend to adapt kits(mainly Metcalfe) and find them really good. I use Roket card glue for an almost instant grab so only spots needed. Not quite so difficult to remove if and when I get it wrong.
Liked the small scissors you had there. Where did you get them? Well done on persevering with it. Good luck.
Hi Colin, yes an extremely ambitious first build but I had to start somewhere and I learnt an awful lot doing it.
I am basically very happy with it, the main building looks quite good. But like you the roof is awful and was a lot of work for no result apart from an awful one.
I intend to take the roof off and redo it. Looking into new roofing materials on the market. I wish MetCalfe sold roofing sheets as I have been shown how to really improve them with very little effort. This way I can put the glazing panels on the roof on the correct side this time.
I have never been happy with the water tank section. I built it that wide to go with the tank I purchased but it looks far too narrow and not to scale so I intend to remove that, try and build a tank that is to scale and then the building around it. I can use the frontage, just the sides need to be rebuilt. Then I can put the new roof on the offices and this time it will not be upside down ooops, only just discovered that boo boo lol.
The scissors I purchased from Squires Model & Craft Tools based in Bognor and not far from me (www.squirestools.com/home.htm) They are in the Mini Hand Tools Catalogue which is on line, page T22 under Tweezers Scissors Straight Code 140-276 and priced at £6.22p.
Regards Chris
The wife is exactly right Chris, its your layout, your design and your building - if it was a kit one then fair enough but no matter what I reckon it's a brilliant job, those extra's under the eves have paid off they look really good. Just one question, do you think it would have been easier to do the roof on one sheet rather separate sheets? Bit like a concertina effect? I'm just thinking ahead not to have the same issues as you so picking your brains!
Regards, Steve.
Hi Steve - the roof really spoils it along with the size of the water tower, not wide enough. But for all that I did learn quite a bit and will do much better next time when I attempt a rebuild of the engine shed. For a start I will no longer be using Metcalf, they are not that good for rearranging and the roofs could be improved. Instead I will be using Scalescenes in future. Far more realistic looking and also made to be scratch building.
Yeah I did not like the York roof kits, far too fiddly for N gauge, Scalescenes look far better and a darn sight easier.
I will video it when I start the build also its a lot cheaper than Metcalf.
Regards Chris