This is by far the largest scratchbuilt structure that I have ever done. It's 3 feet long, about 6 inches deep and features 3 loading doors for 3 50' cars. It is made entirely of foam core, glued together with hot glue and faced with building facades using the Model Builder software. One of the unique aspects of it is the track that runs under the left and right side towers and under the "office" portion of the plant. Took about 10 hours to build and about 20 hours designing it in my head before the first cut was made.
John is retired and loving it!
https://jmrailroad.wordpress.com/
Pretty impressive background structure you built.
.
The pictures you posted looked terrible on my monitor, but when I clicked them for the enlarged version, they look great.
Looks like it was fun to build. I should build some 3D High Relief background building from foam core for photo props.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
I agree with Kevin...the larger version does look better.
The largest scratchbuilt structure on my layout is the station in Dunnville, with an express operation at the far end, the Station itself in the centre, and a Post Office in the near wing. The lower two floors (one is below track level) of the Station also include shops and a restaurant, while the upper floors are the railroad's headquarters and general offices.
Construction is .060" sheet styrene, braced internally with more of the same. The doors and windows are mostly leftovers from a couple of Walthers warehouse kits.While it doesn't show very well in the photos, the entire structure is scribed to represent Ashlar cut stone...
Wayne
The above are good examples that show that model trains look better serving buildings that way outsize them. It just looks more natural.
This WIP, a lumber shed, will be the biggest structure on my layout. With a footprint of 12" x 5 feet, freight cars will go both inside of it for loading, and up next to it. Dan
Man, oh, man...commenting is difficult since I have no scratchbuilding ability. I tip my hat to you guys.
Bear "It's all about having fun."
The largest is the quarry limestone processing complex that is still under construction. The Acme company would be next largest. I do believe pics are on here of that one
A pessimist sees a dark tunnel
An optimist sees the light at the end of the tunnel
A realist sees a frieght train
An engineer sees three idiots standing on the tracks stairing blankly in space
I've got a total of 4 subway stations. 3 are large enough to accomodate 4-car subway trains, while the other is just for trolleys. This is the one in front of the layout.
It's dual track so it's the widest of the bunch. I made molds and cast the platforms and walls from Hydrocal and used forms from Evergreen for the H-columns.
There's a city block with streets and buildings above it.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
This is my largest, and also my first. It is protypically correct model of the bidet behind my grandmothers' house, circa 1938
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Big structures, tiny RR cars is a pretty good formula for modeling HOn3 narrowgauge in the mining districts of the San Juan's. This is my Sunnyside Mill in Eureka.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
BigDaddyIt is protypically correct model of the bidet behind my grandmothers' house, circa 1938
Wow Henry, it must have took granddad a week just to dig the hole!
Mike.
My You Tube
Dan, it's nice to see that your lumber shed seems to be coming along very well. After seeing the photo of the prototype, it's instantly recognisable.
The biggest structure on my layout is a combination of kitbashed Walthers buildings and scratchbuilt stuff. The modelled portion, a little over 6' in length, represents about a third of the entire facility, not counting the mine area, of course, which extends several miles out under Lake Erie...
Thanks, Wayne. Um... Isn't that structure the famous manufacturer of flux?
Nice work everyone. Let's keep the "biggest" ones coming. Even if they are a bidet.
Southgate Thanks, Wayne. Um... Isn't that structure the famous manufacturer of flux?....
Thanks, Wayne. Um... Isn't that structure the famous manufacturer of flux?....
Yup, that's the one! It was featured on the cover of the December issue of Popular Flux magazine...
BigDaddyThis is my largest, and also my first. It is protypically correct model of the bidet behind my grandmothers' house, circa 1938
Henry, that's excellent, especially for a first try at scratchbuilding. I noticed the attention to detail with the ventilated soffits and the rot at the bottom of the boards. The 'whitewash' paint job is very well done too!
Our cottage has an outhouse as well as a composting toilet. I put the composting toilet in years ago to save my elderly parents the trip over the rocks to the loo. They never used the composting toilet! Good thing actually because I was the only one who would clean the thing out. The outhouse was a two holer (side by side in case you are wondering). The floor rotted out in one side so we nailed the door shut. We always told our guests that there was a dead body in there. That scared the crap out of more than a couple of people.
I look forward to your future scratchbuilding accomplishments. That is my favourite part of the hobby.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
bearmanI have no scratchbuilding ability. I tip my hat to you guys.
Bearman,
You really need to give scratchbuilding a few more tries. If you want to choose a possible project I would be more than happy to help you with it. You won't regret it! All you have to lose is a few dollars in supplies. (Please don't start with the Union Station!)
hon30critter bearman I have no scratchbuilding ability. I tip my hat to you guys. Bearman, You really need to give scratchbuilding a few more tries. If you want to choose a possible project I would be more than happy to help you with it. You won't regret it! All you have to lose is a few dollars in supplies. (Please don't start with the Union Station!) Dave
bearman I have no scratchbuilding ability. I tip my hat to you guys.
Dave is so right. I've never bought a craftsman kit. I jumped right in scratchbuilding. My first efforts were disasters by comparison to now, but I had no clue how to start. (Mid '70s)
Start with a simple plan, whether published or a model of an existing structure. Sheds are great. You can use Northeastern Lumber productes in wood, or Evergreen Styrene products, whichever you're more comfy with. (Or print, like the OP)
The quality of my builds took an epic step forward when I started using Grandt line windows instead of trying to scratchbuild them. Plenty of guidance to be found here on the forums. Dan
Southgate...The quality of my builds took an epic step forward when I started using Grandt line windows instead of trying to scratchbuild them....
I agree: Grandt Line (and Tichy), plus the now ready-availability of styrene in sheets, strips and shapes, has made scratchbuilding fun for me again, and I no longer worry about "cheating" by not growing my own trees to make scale lumber.
MisterBeasleyI've got a total of 4 subway stations. 3 are large enough to accomodate 4-car subway trains, while the other is just for trolleys
Mr. Beasley do you have an album with pictures and videos of your layout I could see? I love subway and trolley cars
Nice work!