North Pilton Works Signal Box

[Rhinochugger]

Well, why do I want a signal box - I don't really, but I bought this kit at the Peterborough show as a substitute for a Pola building I'd seen in their listings.

The kit is £36 against the Pola building at £58 (£48 at Glendale Junction) and I bought a set of benches for £4.80 as opposed to Pola benches at £13.50 (at Glendale) - that's a whopping 30% saving.

You get an awful lot of kit for your money.

If you want a signal box, it comes with an additional raised floor, a working 8-lever frame, a desk, two chairs, a telephone, a stove and a lighting kit. Not bad

I wanted a refreshment building at the end of the platform, and am planning on Sadie's Sodas - so I don't want the raised floor or the lever frame.

The kits don't fall together in 5 minutes, but a bit of care and time is well rewarded.

 

[Rhinochugger]

I think it's a game of two halves.

The key for wooden buildings out of doors is to get the painting right, so that the entire woodwork is protected. However, I'm using a waterproof wood glue (Titebond 2) and that works best gluing wood to wood.

So, I think I'm going to glue the interior detail in place, then paint the interior, after that I'll fix the roof and paint the inside of that.

Then we'll paint the outside, and glue in the glazing.

Progress so far

 

[stockers]

Looking good - it will be interesting to see how the ply holds up outside.

 

[Rhinochugger]

Looking good - it will be interesting to see how the ply holds up outside.

That's the bit - the essential thing is to get the paint soaking in, and completely covering.

The instructions suggest a thinned coat of external gloss, but I have some weathershield primer/preservative left over, and I'm tempted to use that as a first coat.

I'm not keen on using weathershield top cost as it's very thick and viscous, and I'll lose the laser etched detailing - so still thinking about the top coats

 

[trammayo]

That's the bit - the essential thing is to get the paint soaking in, and completely covering.

The instructions suggest a thinned coat of external gloss, but I have some weathershield primer/preservative left over, and I'm tempted to use that as a first coat.

I'm not keen on using weathershield top cost as it's very thick and viscous, and I'll lose the laser etched detailing - so still thinking about the top coats

Looks an interesting kit - got any dimensions?

 

[Rhinochugger]

Looks an interesting kit - got any dimensions?

Approx 160 mm x 120 mm on plan with a little bit of eaves overhang to come.

 

[PhilP]

Approx 160 mm x 120 mm on plan with a little bit of eaves overhang to come.

That sounds a little small??

 

[Rhinochugger]

That sounds a little small??

10 ft x 7ft 6 ins in 16mm:1ft

However, as the other buildings are 1:22.5 on a 15mm:1ft railroad...................


.............my head hurts

But it'll look OK - trust me

 

[PaulRhB]

I've sealed wood with rattle cans in several light coats, using up tins of colours I'm not likely to use much.

 

[Rhinochugger]

I've sealed wood with rattle cans in several light coats, using up tins of colours I'm not likely to use much.

I like the thinking

 

[PaulRhB]

They do look good in orange

 

[Rhinochugger]

They do look good in orange

I rather fancied yellow - with pink signwriting on a rooftop board - I may engage SWMBO's assistance for that one

sharrafter wait and see

 

[Rhinochugger]

I've now turned my attention to the benches while I watch paint dry

I've cut them down in height to suit the reduced scale of my buildings and populace

 

[David1226]

I've cut them down in height to suit the reduced scale of my buildings and populace

Damn, I wish I had thought of that instead of cutting and packing the legs of all my figures to make them longer.......

David

 

[Rhinochugger]

Damn, I wish I had thought of that instead of cutting and packing the legs of all my figures to make them longer.......

David

 

[Rhinochugger]

Progress

 

[Rhinochugger]

and a bit more..........

 

[mike]

Can u lenghten my legs please ..

 

[minimans]

Don't know about lengthen legs Mike but if you drink lots of JD you'll get leg less!

 

[Rhinochugger]

Don't know about lengthen legs Mike but if you drink lots of JD you'll get leg less!

Now, while i have been using every means possible ever known to man to seal the plywood, I haven't resorted to whisky yet - not sure about long term resilience to weather.

I have used:

• a good preservative primer
• plenty of paint (without filing in the laser etched detail
• loads of paint in the nooks and crannies
• brush painted varnish for the laser etched details, and any obvious holes
• top coat of spray Simoniz clear lacquer - LACQUER not LIQOUR

Now all we have to do is wait and see what mother nature does - I could be tempted to bring it indoors over winter

I'm still finishing it off - be ready in two or three days - then have to agree the precise siting - I wanted it with windows facing the road, and back to the track - very western, very proper, but Green River shanty town is generally viewed from the side that would be trackside and thus backside




Still thinking