Long Taxal

[Ratch]

For some time I'd been thinking of putting a small railway scene together using Airfix kits in a static display. I decided it was time to stop prevaricating around April this year and actually make a start. Firstly I measured all my kits - buildings, platforms, all statics - and cut out scale templates. I only have two platform kits, so decided this would be a terminus station with the Booking Hall facing the buffer stops. I was looking to use a single 607mm x 1220mm baseboard, and my crude plans indicated this may be possible - the determining factor would be the track geometry. Having reclaimed some track from my long-stalled loft layout, I laid out the point-work to discover that the station throat alone would need the 1220mm length, and an additional board was required for the station area  :fear: I purchased two hardboard sheets and four battens to support them an give them some rigidity, and set about gluing and screwing the frames to the boards. This had to be a simple construction as my woodworking skills are lamentable.

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The two boards bolt together giving an overall area of 2160mm x 607mm (that's 7'1" x 2' in old money)

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The tracks are glued down and only tacked at the ends. The turntable ring is dry fitted and positioned only. Likewise, the level crossing is the old one, merely laid down to check dimensions. I have found locations for the two footbridges

[Ratch]

 

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I keep going over the bridge finding areas to touch up.

I selected two Hornby buffer blocks for the platform terminals. Unfortunately these pose a problem with the platform spacing.

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To get a scale spacing between the platform edge and the stock I'll have to cut a platform around the buffer blocks.

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Then there is the bridge spacing issue.

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As I've mentioned before, although it purports to be a two-track span, its more like a three-track span when placed on platforms.

The extended footbridge straddles both platforms from ground level, though I'd have to alter the orientation to fit on the baseboard.

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This is one solution...

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Though I have another idea up my sleeve.

[Ratch]

I extracted this Booking Hall from the stash and carefully removed the staples from the header and had to slice through the heavily sellotaped polybag to open it. I bought it in 2012, and judging by the date at MK Show. Checking the parts, I discovered the exterior wall, all doors, two window frames and a chimney pot missing.

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Here's Plan B on the footbridge span problem...

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To extend the platform I used two vacuum formed sheets for the paved surface, strips of 40 thou plastic sheet and Wills SS MP 227 English Bond brickwork to construct the station concourse.

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I cut a new front wall from Wills SS MP 227 English Bond brickwork, and cut a doorway and three windows into this.

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I then added three interior walls. Two of the run the width of the building to form a passage, with one of them having a window for the ticket office. I positioned a wall of 30 thou card behind the ticket office to form a toilet, accessed from the door at the end of the building. The other half of the building is a waiting room.

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[Ratch]

I spotted a Water Tower box on a trader’s stand at Hendon Show a couple of years ago, and checking the contents discovered the Engine Shed mouldings included in the box. Enquiring of the price, I was advised £3.00; I nearly bit his hand off. The parts of the Engine Shed are cleanly moulded in medium grey plastic in my lucky find (presumably Airfix moulded), while the Dapol mouldings are in white plastic, with nicely detailed brick, roof tile and woodwork details. I decided that a double-length shed would suit the layout and admired Digs work in the Railway GB. With that in mind, I extended two of the window openings to the ground. These would provide access from a lean-to extension into the shed. I do not intend to fully detail the interior, but decided that the walls needed strengthening with cladding. Initially I constructed the side walls incorrectly, with the rear wall locating lugs at each end.

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A trial fit indicated this was incorrect and that each shed must be constructed in the same manner, with one directly behind the other, so that the lugs at the rear of the front wall act as supports for the roof girder situated in the middle.

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For the lean-to extension I used Wills SS226 Flemish Bond Brickwork with kit supplied doors and window with Ratio 521 Industrial Windows.

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I cut the doorways perfectly, but the large window too wide and had to pack out the gaps.

Here the parts are held together with masking tape.

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Its location on the baseboard...

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Inside, the same granite setts as used under the turntable.

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The four foot will have wooden planking covering the pit.

[Ratch]

The windows were glazed with clear plastic card.

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The walls were correctly positioned with the aid of a setsquare.

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I found these signs.

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stuck some on the Booking Hall.

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and messed around with a road layout.

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I added setts to the shed floor.

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The lean-to office is an option (vice twin doors) I chose to fit.

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL761/13303934/24644246/411133828.jpg Generally I’ve found the fit of the parts poor with un-straight walls causing misalignment of roofing. Luckily this is not noticeable from normal viewing distances and angles, and maybe pre-knowledge of these problems may give the builder a chance to rectify the discrepancies.

I thought some heavy machinery would be appropriate.

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The exterior of the building was painted in basic colours then the interior was weathered. The roof area received Humbrol Enamel Wash AV201 Black and Humbrol Enamel Wash AV208 Dust with Humbrol Powders AV0004 Smoke and Mig Pigments P023 Black Smoke sprinkled into that area. I then made a Mig Pigment wash for mortar using P026 Concrete, P028 Europe Dust and P039 Industrial City Dirt, which I worked into the exterior brickwork and tiles. The surfaces of the bricks were wiped with a soft handkerchief to expose the brick colour. The positions of the down-pipes are left to the discretion of the builder.

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[Ratch]

 

The completed engine shed.

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Then on to two Dapol kits.

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This kit is old and crude with many ejector pin marks. I think that the girders are overly thick, but considering the age of the kit, would be moulded much finer if a new tool were to be made. Before commencing the builder must decide upon the geography that the bridge must follow to fit on the layout. That said, construction is simple. Care must be taken to clean up each part before introducing it to its partner, and if this is done assembly is trouble free. This kit is being built for the CBK Telford display.

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After consultation this configuration was settled upon.

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL761/13303934/24648140/411236025.jpg Next, a paint job.

On to the Park Royal Railbus. I just happen to be looking back through RAILWAY IMAGES AROUND NORTHAMPTONSHIRE by Richard Coleman and Joe Rajczonek (ISBN 0-9518557-1-9), and plate 65 shows M79973 at Piddington.

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So close to the serial on the decal sheet - M79971.

The kit had been started.

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The expanse of windows exposed the bareness of the interior and I decided it needed fittings added. A search of the internet revealed that Branchlines made a rather expensive, photo-etched interior, and while this looked very nice, it’s not a medium I enjoy working in; I have three kits to build so the expense is also prohibitive; and it was not clear whether the company is still trading. With this in mind I set about scratch-building three interiors in tandem.

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The floor plan is 30mm x 159mm with tapered corners and slots cut out at the mid-point to facilitate the ‘working’ sliding doors.

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The driver’s cabs are 22mm in height. The rear wall is 15mm long with a window 10mm above floor level to 20mm in height leaving a pillar at the edge adjoining the side wall, which has the same dimensions. The pillar on the side wall represents the doorway and is positioned 6mm from the windscreen. The pillar itself is 4mm thick. The seats are 6mm wide with the double seats at 9mm long and the bench seats at 14mm long. These are supported on strips of plastic card 4mm wide and finished with a 7mm high back.

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The driver’s seat has a back that is 14mm high and 6mm wide, a 4mm support at the front and 6mm seat. The desk is 4mm wide and 12mm long with a 4mm wide and 8mm high support. All these pieces were cut from 20 thou plastic sheet. I did consider adding a DSD plate to the floor but decided this was taking things too far.

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[Ratch]

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Sprayed the footbridge in a modern, neutral grey.

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Having taken this picture I noticed one of the decals had moved.

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Luckily I was able to reposition it after a soaking. Another quick build...

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I spotted the Water Tower box on a trader’s stand at Hendon Show. The design is as typical as can be of a structure that adorned a multitude of locations yet rarely can two be found alike. My research into local railway water towers revealed that most (around Northampton) are/were constructed on a brick building and were painted black. I found the image of one at Charwelton troughs in 1963 that was painted grey, but without a roof; open to the elements. Construction of the kit itself is quite straightforward. All parts require cleaning up to one degree or another, usually a light sanding with a stick or trimming with a scalpel. The instructions are clear and the assembly sequence is good.

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I did not wait for the stretchers to fully set before cementing them to the legs, and as soon as the feet were glued I set the structure the right way up to ensure that the feed column touched the ground and was not left dangling short.

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Construction is not too taxing and can be completed quite quickly.

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The structure can be painted in whichever colours you choose. I selected LMS blood and custard to match the other structures on my layout. One problem I have found with Humbrol Acrylic Gloss paints is that they have a tendency to repel from the kit plastic rather like oil on water.

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This necessitates several coats to achieve a consistent coverage.

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Humbrol Enamel Washes were used to weather the tower, simulating rain and rust streaks down the tank and a dusty wash at the feet of the columns.

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I also started a level crossing. Before commencing with assembly one must consider the position of this feature on the layout. If the level crossing involves double tracks then a second kit will be required. My gripes with the double track arrangement are that the gates do not meet fully, and the spacing is more akin to Great Western broad gauge. My parts required some cleaning up because of flash, but once this is done construction is simple.

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It is worth painting the parts before securing the gateposts into each base.

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Humbrol Enamel Washes were used to weather the crossing, particularly darkening the decking, which I perceived as too light.

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Going back to the General Store: I found this shell of a building in my loft. Some window frames and some glazing was missing. I used Wills window frames and acetate sheet as replacements. I re-painted the roof and brickwork, then weathered with Mig Pigments. I also constructed a simple interior consisting of a floor between the upper and lower storeys and two walls breaking up the lower floor. Amazingly I still had the kit paper sheet and used this for decoration of the rear shop walls and sign above the frontage.

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[Ratch]

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Dapol's issue of the Airfix 4021/03606-1 HO/00 Trackside Accessories - Platelayers hut, coal office, water crane, loading gauge

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Looking at old film, water cranes are very dirty, almost black. I shall paint the upright crimson with cream cross-pipe and weather heavily. The loading gauge will be white, weathered over the track. A clear plastic sheet is provided to glaze the windows; this must be cut quite accurately so that the window frames will fit. I painted the interiors a dark grey as structures like this (that I’ve seen and used) were all dark, dingy places. I gave each of the buildings a first coat of dark earth mixed with black. I think black alone is too stark and the dark earth takes the edge off. I mixed some slate grey in for the tiles of the Coal Office roof and a little Light Olive with Coal Black for the felt roof of the platelayers’ hut. http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL761/13303934/24672990/411634207.jpg

I've added Airfix sheep to the cattle dock.

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I think the Coal Office may have to become a Stock Room.

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I can't really get any coal staithes in.

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No real problem siting the water crane and platelayers' hut.

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[Ratch]

 I have two sets of Platform Fittingshttp://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL761/13303934/24664441/411636045.jpgBoth sets are moulded in cream styrene with only a little flash. I used Humbrol Acrylic 20 Gloss Crimson, thinned with Humbrol Acrylic Thinners AC7433 and a drop of Winsor & Newton Acrylic Flow Improver. I don't think the paint likes the plastic. I shall rub this back and prime before trying another coat. I used Vallejo Acrylic 74600 White Polyurethane Surface Primer for initial coverage of the fencing.

Moving on to the station canopy, the roof is particularly fragile, especially during construction.

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Before the roof was fully set, I laid it on the iron framework to ensure it conformed to the angles correctly. Transparent plastic sheet was cut for the skylights and stuck to the roof interior.

I obviously needed to plan the fencing.

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Looking for a place name for my diorama, I am drawn by the prefix Long as in Buckby, a village not many miles from my home. A name that struck me was Taxal in Derbyshire, from the Middle English tak and the Old English halh meaning nook of land held on lease. I think Long can easily be added to make Long Taxal.

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[richard baker1707820250]

 That is some fantastic peice of work there, i admire your undoubted skill at building.

 

Rich.

[Ratch]

 Thanks Rich, today I cracked open the next six kits which will be added.

[Ratch]

 please delete.

[Ratch]

 

I couldn't help setting up a little scene...

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The six kits...

The Airfix Signal Gantry

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL761/13303934/24672990/411653306.jpg

A Ratio Weighbridge and Hut

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The Dapol Pub Sign & Horse Trough and their ex-Airfix Country Inn

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL761/13303934/24672990/411653309.jpg

Service Station

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL761/13303934/24672990/411653310.jpg

Modern Shop & Flat

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[Ratch]

 

The Signal Gantry is finished, and I put the two baseboards together to check the signal sighting before fixing it to the base.

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[Ratch]

My Country Inn has a warped roof... http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL761/13303934/24672990/411671390.jpg http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL761/13303934/24672990/411671395.jpg

 

I stuck it down with cyano... http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL761/13303934/24463379/411671339.jpg

The Dapol Pub Sign & Horse Trough to go with it.

 

The Service Station roof suffers a similar problem... http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL761/13303934/24672990/411671399.jpg

 

The Ratio Weighbridge & Hut is finished http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL761/13303934/24463379/411671330.jpg

[Ratch]

 

The Modern Shop & Flat is rather ill-fitting

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I added new flooring

and a false rear wall

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then stuck in some of the paper cut-outs

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[vimal_indrasoma]

 Absolutely marvelleous. Brings back to mind echos of projects in the old 'Meccano Magazine'!

Would love to try my hand at something a tad less ambitious, but I need to find the space ...

[FAAMAN]

Now I know what you've been up to, very well done Ratch!!!

[Ratch]

 Cheers Neil. The next building for Long Taxal is the church. Originally issued by Airfix in HO/00 scale as 4015 and then 03623-6. The model is based on St. Boniface Church, built in 1070 at Bonchurch on the Isle of Wight. The tooling for this kit originates from 1958. The light grey mouldings appear to be in reasonable condition. They were washed in warm soapy water and allowed to dry. The interior of the building was airbrushed with Vallejo Acrylic 74600 White Polyurethane Surface Primer and the exterior with Vallejo Acrylic 74601 Grey Polyurethane Surface Primer. I cut the acetate sheet provided and fixed them behind the windows,

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then marked the leading with a black pen.

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Construction is straightforward provided the parts are cleaned up properly and manipulated into position to minimise gaps.

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I've also started on the second Platform Canopy, following the same process as the previous one

[Ratch]

Moving on with the canopy, I found a suitable piece of runner, cut two pieces and drilled them out. They are adequate replacements. Unfortunately the missing angled support section would not be so easy to replace, but I cut out my replacement from 40 thou plastic card. The roof is particularly fragile, especially during construction. Before the roof was fully set, I laid it on the iron framework to ensure it conformed to the angles correctly.

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL761/13303934/24672990/411717510.jpg I've now primed the whole thing.

The church progresses. When it came to painting I started by picking out individual stones. This is a time-consuming process and was not exactly what I wished for, so I changed tack and dry-brushed similar colours over the exterior walls. This produced a much more realistic effect to my eye.

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL761/13303934/24672990/411717511.jpg

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL761/13303934/24672990/411717512.jpg

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL761/13303934/24672990/411717514.jpg

I treated the roof in a similar manner. Firstly a basic red-brown was painted over the roof tiles.

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL761/13303934/24672990/411717515.jpg

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL761/13303934/24672990/411717516.jpg

The individual tiles were picked out in varied red-browns. Over this I dry-brushed shades of grey for the ancient lichen. Just the gutters and downpipes to paint, then it'll be finished

[Ratch]

I've finished off the church.

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL761/13303934/24463379/411720040.jpg

And started on the churchyard. I cut a piece of expanded polystyrene for the building to sit on.

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL761/13303934/24672990/411720203.jpg

A few broken pieces were placed around the edge, and I started laying plaster bandage over this.

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL761/13303934/24672990/411720205.jpg

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL761/13303934/24672990/411720207.jpg

This was topped with plaster of paris.

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL761/13303934/24672990/411720209.jpg

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL761/13303934/24672990/411720212.jpg

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL761/13303934/24672990/411720214.jpg

The second canopy is also done.

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL761/13303934/24463379/411720044.jpg

[Ratch]

 Here's St. Boniface in situ,http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL761/13303934/24672990/411724419.jpghttp://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL761/13303934/24672990/411724420.jpghttp://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL761/13303934/24672990/411724421.jpgI shall add some headstones for the graves.

[Ratch]

 

When I built the Modern Shop & Flat, I had it in mind to use an industrial chimney, but couldn't find where I'd hidden it away. Today I found it.

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL761/13303934/24672990/411727923.jpg

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL761/13303934/24672990/411727924.jpg

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL761/13303934/24672990/411727925.jpg[/img

[Ratch]

 

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL761/13303934/24672990/411727925.jpg

Missed the bracket off the last image

[Ratch]

I broke out a Dapol (ex-Airfix) Windmill. The model portrays a post mill almost identical to that at Outwood in Surrey.

http://www.outwoodmill.com/

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL761/13303934/24473466/411777889.jpg

Bought in Great Yarmouth in 2012. Moulded in light grey plastic, the parts are quite heavily flashed; some cleaning up is required. Transparencies are not provided. The parts were washed in warm, soapy water and allowed to dry. I trimmed the excessive flash using a scalpel and sanding sticks.

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL761/13303934/24680996/411777962.jpg

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL761/13303934/24680996/411777959.jpg

I constructed stage one and airbrushed the primer for the dark and light base colours. I airbrushed a mortar colour onto the circular walls.

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL761/13303934/24680996/411777965.jpg

I dry brushed various greys on the wooden parts. The sloping roof was given similar treatment. The walls were dry-brushed to highlight the bricks. I airbrushed the window frames and sails with white. Then I cut clear Plastikard and stuck this to the inside of the window frames to make the windows. Assembly is straightforward following the instructions of seven exploded diagrams, I completed this in under 5 hours.

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL761/13303934/24473466/411777892.jpg

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL761/13303934/24473466/411777896.jpg

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL761/13303934/24473466/411777894.jpg

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL761/13303934/24473466/411777895.jpg

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL761/13303934/24473466/411777891.jpg