Polystyrene box building and rail built buffer stops

[Portsladepete]

While I wait for my finances to recover, I made a representation of a building using a packaging box and some corrugated cardboard. I also needed two buffer stops for my sidings, these were made using scrap rail glued with epoxy and a sleeper. From a distance these attempts look ok for now.
I also used a couple of concrete blocks for one platform, and my four remaining brick size blocks for the other, I want to skim over the surface of these with cement to hide the joins, not sure if it will be too thin to be successful though.

 

[Paul M]

Looks great

 

[Northsider]

I recall having seen a TV programme on garden railways, where they interviewed someone (an old hand, I think) who made all his buildings from expanded polystyrene. They looked good -as does yours. Cheap and long-lasting -but will need fixing down!

 

[Portsladepete]

Not sure how to go about stopping it sailing off, if my idea of a skim of cement on the “platforms” would work, then it might turn into a station....ary building .
My weatherproofing (PVA ) would also be tested, in case you haven’t guessed the courses were melted using an old soldering iron, the roof is corrugated cardboard painted with car primer. Might end up losing it altogether if I get a proper building, but for now, really enjoying having a go. Thanks for your kind encouragement.

 

[PhilP]

Has a certain rustic charm to it.. And from a distance, will be fine.

Might need to find shelter in the worst of the weather, though?

 

[GAP]

For the pavers/bricks turn them over so the bevel is down, get some real fine sand and mix it with cement (not concrete) to make a mortar type mix.
While the sand cement mix is dry cover the pavers with it working it into the gaps and once the are filled lightly mist the whole thing with water, not too much or the cement will rise to the surface.
The mix will harden and hold the pavers together as well as filling the gaps, you can then render the top with some more mix.
To keep the dry mix in place box/form around the edges with cardboard or timber.
This how I did my paved areas when I landscaped a garden.

 

[Portsladepete]

For the pavers/bricks turn them over so the bevel is down, get some real fine sand and mix it with cement (not concrete) to make a mortar type mix.
While the sand cement mix is dry cover the pavers with it working it into the gaps and once the are filled lightly mist the whole thing with water, not too much or the cement will rise to the surface.
The mix will harden and hold the pavers together as well as filling the gaps, you can then render the top with some more mix.
To keep the dry mix in place box/form around the edges with cardboard or timber.
This how I did my paved areas when I landscaped a garden.

I‘ve got sharp sand, is that ok? Thanks for the advice.

 

[GAP]

I‘ve got sharp sand, is that ok? Thanks for the advice.

Fine sand (Soft Building Sand in UK) is best because it flows into the gaps, you could use the sharp sand just make sure it is swept into the gaps.
Alternatively you could sieve it through some fly wire to get the large pieces out bit more mucking around but will give a better finish and not a real lot is need for the small number of pavers you are using.
Using a small broom is the best way to spread the sand/cement mix as well, forgot to mention that before.

 

[GAP]

The sand I use is packaged as children's sandpit sand and has been dried.

 

[Portsladepete]

How thin can the skim be? Not too critical, as foot traffic will be extremely light.lol.
I quite like mixing cement, must be connected to early childhood, somehow satisfying?

 

[GAP]

Just the thickness of render a couple of mm.

Be careful with cement I am just recovering from a cement burn to my little finger after some got into my glove and then got wet over 6 weeks ago.
Finger swelled up and I could not bend it for over a week, then I had sores all over it and the skin just kept peeling off.
If you do get cement on your skin wash it off with vinegar to neutralise it as it is caustic.
I now wear latex gloves over my hands under the leather gloves that I touch the concrete with.

 

[Portsladepete]

Just the thickness of render a couple of mm.

Be careful with cement I am just recovering from a cement burn to my little finger after some got into my glove and then got wet over 6 weeks ago.
Finger swelled up and I could not bend it for over a week, then I had sores all over it and the skin just kept peeling off.
If you do get cement on your skin wash it off with vinegar to neutralise it as it is caustic.
I now wear latex gloves over my hands under the leather gloves that I touch the concrete with.

Ouch! Thanks, will be more careful, think it has lime in it, might have got that wrong. They used to use quick lime to bury people who had died with infectious diseases etc.

 

[GAP]

Ouch! Thanks, will be more careful, think it has lime in it, might have got that wrong. They used to use quick lime to bury people who had died with infectious diseases etc.

It is lime that is main ingredient, think it is "slaked lime"

 

[Paul M]

If they're doing a lot of concreting on a building site, the operatives smother their soft bits (yes, those bits) with vase line or similar as the dust causes havoc with skin

 

[Portsladepete]

Now, you’re really starting to worry me

 

[PhilP]

Now, you’re really starting to worry me

Just don't scratch anything delicate!

 

[dunnyrail]

This is a building made out of old Poly ceiling tiles, double skinned and securely glued to an old slate roof tile. Built in the 1980’s and still going strong though on its third roof and still roof not right. Perhaps another corvid-19 job to put right. Coated with external grade tile cement.
EDIT somehow I did not complete this post correct. Sorry.

 

[Paul M]

This is a building made out of old Poly ceiling tiles, double skinned and securely glued to an old slate roof tile. Built in the 1980’s and still going strong though on its third roof and still roof not right. Perhaps another corvid-19 job to put right. Coated with external grade tile cement. Not a lot o

When say double skinned, you don't mean that the Porter sacrificed his for the project

 

[Portsladepete]

Today I made a platform out of concrete, using a box made of cardboard lined with gaffer tape, it’s about 600mm long, 180mm wide and 50mm deep. It’s not in situ, so will need moving and fitting in place. I used a 3 to 1 mix of ballast and cement.
Quite desperate to unwrap it and see my handiwork, patience is one of many virtues I don’t have, will it be safe to move it in 24hrs?
Made and fitted a polystyrene chimney to the end of my polystyrene building, a door made of coffee stirrers, and a half hearted attempt at window frames.
Two ”proper” building kits have been ordered by my wife for my birthday ,but my freelance hovel has been so much fun to do, and there is definitely not another one quite like it.
Picture tomorrow.

 

[Portsladepete]

Today I made a platform out of concrete, using a box made of cardboard lined with gaffer tape, it’s about 600mm long, 180mm wide and 50mm deep. It’s not in situ, so will need moving and fitting in place. I used a 3 to 1 mix of ballast and cement.
Quite desperate to unwrap it and see my handiwork, patience is one of many virtues I don’t have, will it be safe to move it in 24hrs?
Made and fitted a polystyrene chimney to the end of my polystyrene building, a door made of coffee stirrers, and a half hearted attempt at window frames.
Two ”proper” building kits have been ordered by my wife for my birthday ,but my freelance hovel has been so much fun to do, and there is definitely not another one quite like it.
Picture tomorrow.