Skip to main content

This thread will discuss in detail the construction of a scratch-built background factory building to occupy a 24-inch by 2-1/2-inch strip at the rear of my 10’-by-5’ layout which, thanks to Allan Miller, was the subject of the cover photo and an article in OGR Run 304. This area is the larger of two unfinished surfaces at the rear of the layout and is located between the track and the rear edge of the table. The model will cover part of the white wall between the hotel and truss bridge as shown in the first photo. The structure will be three inches in depth and will overhang the rear edge of the layout by about one inch, so I’m not certain how well that will work. I have a general idea of how the building will look but I am designing it as I build.

The first step was to select windows and doors for the “front” wall and mark their locations on the inside of the milled clapboard basswood.

MELGAR_01_BACKGROUND_BLDG_INITIALMELGAR_02_BACKGROUND_BLDG_WINDOWSMELGAR_03_BACKGROUND_BLDG_WINDOWS_MARKED

I added a third floor to the center of the front wall and glued it to the top edge of the wall. I cut openings for the windows and doors, and then checked the fit of the windows and doors.

MELGAR_04_BACKGROUND_BLDG_FRONT_WINDOWS_CUTMELGAR_05_BACKGROUND_BLDG_WINDOWS_TEST_FIT

I built a right-side wall that has a 3-inch width, added a 1-inch piece to the bottom of each of the two walls, and then assembled them as shown while checking for squareness. The 1-inch pieces will be covered with plastic sheeting to represent a stone foundation.

MELGAR_06_BACKGROUND_BLDG_ASSEMBLE_2_WALLSMELGAR_08_BACKGROUND_BLDG_2_WALLS

Most reinforcement on the insides of walls was done prior to putting them together but some was also done afterward.

MELGAR_09_BACKGROUND_BLDG_2_WALLS_FRAMING

I then placed the model on the layout to see how it looks and fits the space.

MELGAR_10_BACKGROUND_BLDG_2_WALLS_CHECK_ON_LAYOUT

I added a left-side wall to the model and also constructed three short walls for a vestibule and right-side entryway.

MELGAR_11_BACKGROUND_BLDG_ENTRYWAY

To be continued.

MELGAR

 

Attachments

Images (10)
  • MELGAR_01_BACKGROUND_BLDG_INITIAL
  • MELGAR_02_BACKGROUND_BLDG_WINDOWS
  • MELGAR_03_BACKGROUND_BLDG_WINDOWS_MARKED
  • MELGAR_04_BACKGROUND_BLDG_FRONT_WINDOWS_CUT
  • MELGAR_05_BACKGROUND_BLDG_WINDOWS_TEST_FIT
  • MELGAR_06_BACKGROUND_BLDG_ASSEMBLE_2_WALLS
  • MELGAR_08_BACKGROUND_BLDG_2_WALLS
  • MELGAR_09_BACKGROUND_BLDG_2_WALLS_FRAMING
  • MELGAR_11_BACKGROUND_BLDG_ENTRYWAY
  • MELGAR_10_BACKGROUND_BLDG_2_WALLS_CHECK_ON_LAYOUT
Last edited by MELGAR
Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

Richie C. posted:

Nice work, Mel - a couple of questions, if you don't mind:

1. Where did you source the milled clapboard basswood ?

2. How thick is it ?

3. Did you use an X-Acto knife to cut out the doors and windows ?

4. Did you consider trying to bevel the edges of the walls at 45 degrees ?

1) Northeastern Scale Lumber in Methuen, Massachusetts

2) 1/16-inch thick, available in several clapboard widths

3) I use only single-edge razor blades and a metal ruler

4) Most frame buildings have vertical trim at the exterior corners of the clapboard walls. I purchase stripwood (see above) with a 90-degree angle (1/8-inch width on each side of corner, 1/64-inch thick, 24-inches long) which covers the corners and makes it unnecessary to bevel the clapboard edges. Will post pictures when applied on this model. In cases where there is no trim, I cut a clapboard effect on one of the edges, but no bevel.

MELGAR

Last edited by MELGAR

I added side walls to the center tower, painted the exterior walls with acrylic burnt umber color and cut three pieces for the sections of the roof. I covered the roof pieces with black construction paper to provide texture and painted the pieces tarnished black for a realistic color.

MELGAR_12_BACKGROUND_BLDG_23_ROOF_PANELS

The roof pieces were glued into place and attached directly to the framing that had been installed on the insides of the main walls and outsides of the tower side walls. I then painted the windows and doors “roof brown.” Next, I cut five pieces of plastic stone foundation blocks, painted them gray, and then applied a combination of India ink and alcohol to create a variation in color on the foundation stones. Note that two plastic pieces had to be used for the long foundation wall and even though this will be a background building, I cut a pattern into the two wall sections so the seam between the pieces would be less noticeable.

MELGAR_13_BACKGROUND_BLDG_24_PAINTED_PARTS

I next installed polystyrene glazing and tan paper window shades. Since I do not plan to add a rear wall to the model, I also installed black construction paper behind the windows to prevent seeing through to the white wall behind the model.

MELGAR_14_BACKGROUND_BLDG_26_GLAZING_SHADES_BLACKOUT

To be continued.

MELGAR

Attachments

Images (3)
  • MELGAR_12_BACKGROUND_BLDG_23_ROOF_PANELS
  • MELGAR_13_BACKGROUND_BLDG_24_PAINTED_PARTS
  • MELGAR_14_BACKGROUND_BLDG_26_GLAZING_SHADES_BLACKOUT

Further work on model. Foundation – Sign – Begin Cornice

The five plastic foundation pieces were attached to the lower part of the structure using polystyrene glue and allowed to dry. Note the seam at the left of the foundation “front.”

MELGAR_16_BACKGROUND_BLDG_28_FOUNDATION_SEAM

The vestibule was added to the right-side wall.

MELGAR_17_BACKGROUND_BLDG_30_FOUNDATION_VESTIBULE

I prepared a PowerPoint slide with various signs and had it printed on matte photographic paper.

MELGAR_18_BRIDGEPORT_SCRAP_METAL_SIGNS

A sign was selected, cut out and glued to a piece of basswood whose edges were painted brown.  I then began to make a cornice by gluing two layers of basswood strips to the top of each exterior wall.

MELGAR_19_BACKGROUND_BLDG_31_SIGN_CORNICE_PARTIAL

MELGAR

Attachments

Images (4)
  • MELGAR_16_BACKGROUND_BLDG_28_FOUNDATION_SEAM
  • MELGAR_17_BACKGROUND_BLDG_30_FOUNDATION_VESTIBULE
  • MELGAR_18_BRIDGEPORT_SCRAP_METAL_SIGNS
  • MELGAR_19_BACKGROUND_BLDG_31_SIGN_CORNICE_PARTIAL

Mel, the stone foundation and the sign are nice touches, the building looks really nice.  Are you going to detail it or no, I realize its a background building but I was thinking that maybe some rain gutters with downspouts and maybe a light over the side entrance would just round it out even more.  Just a thought, I really like it just the way it is too.

Cornice – Corner-Board Trims – Vestibule Roof – Chimneys and Roof Vents

I prepared and installed pieces for the top of the cornice, the vertical corner-board trims, and the vestibule roof.

MELGAR_21_BACKGROUND_BLDG_35_CORNICE_TOPMELGAR_22_BACKGROUND_BUILDING_37_MORE_CORNICE_W_TRIM_VEST_ROOF

Chimneys and roof vents were installed next.

MELGAR_29_BACKGROUND_BUILDING_45_ROOF_ITEMS

Vestibule Steps – Completed Model

I built a narrow set of steps that lead to the vestibule door and painted it to look like concrete. The steps were made from four layers of fiber board. This view shows the side of the steps to be glued to the vestibule. The other (visible) side was covered with a piece of construction paper to conceal the seams, as shown on the second photo. The steps are narrow because the building will be only 3/4-inch from the edge of the track ties.

MELGAR_31_BACKGROUND_BUILDING_49_STAIRSMELGAR_32_BACKGROUND_BUILDING_52_VESTIBULE_STAIRS

At this point, the building as planned initially has been completed.

MELGAR_33_BACKGROUND_BUILDING_54_LEFT_ROOFMELGAR_34_BACKGROUND_BUILDING_50_FRONTMELGAR_36_BACKGROUND_BUILDING_51_RIGHT

This image shows the building on the layout.

MELGAR_37_BACKGROUND_BUILDING_55_LAYOUT

The building still must be mounted on the layout. I do this by adding ground cover that surrounds the foundation and positions it exactly, although I do not secure the structure to the layout. However, before doing that, I am considering the addition of a 6-inch (24-foot full scale) brick extension to the left side of the building. If I decide to build the extension, I will post it on this thread.

MELGAR

Attachments

Images (9)
  • MELGAR_21_BACKGROUND_BLDG_35_CORNICE_TOP
  • MELGAR_22_BACKGROUND_BUILDING_37_MORE_CORNICE_W_TRIM_VEST_ROOF
  • MELGAR_29_BACKGROUND_BUILDING_45_ROOF_ITEMS
  • MELGAR_31_BACKGROUND_BUILDING_49_STAIRS
  • MELGAR_32_BACKGROUND_BUILDING_52_VESTIBULE_STAIRS
  • MELGAR_33_BACKGROUND_BUILDING_54_LEFT_ROOF
  • MELGAR_34_BACKGROUND_BUILDING_50_FRONT
  • MELGAR_36_BACKGROUND_BUILDING_51_RIGHT
  • MELGAR_37_BACKGROUND_BUILDING_55_LAYOUT
MNCW posted:

Mel,

Maybe you need a fenced in area overflowing with scrap now? 

Tom 

Agreed! There is a small area (8 inches by 2 inches) at the left side of the building that I could use as a scrapyard or for a building extension. There is another area on the opposite side of the bridge that is 6 inches by 2 inches. These are the only remaining unfinished areas of the layout, so I'm trying to dream up some small projects to keep myself occupied working on the layout. That's what Bridgeport Scrap Metals was. After that, I may add a 4-foot by 5-foot piece of table to extend the track and create room for some more modeling. I have numerous kits with which to enlarge the town.

MELGAR

I decided to add a 6-inch (24-foot full scale) extension at the left end of Bridgeport Scrap Metals so that the model would cover the entire length of the white rear wall between the Idaho hotel and the truss bridge. I also did this to create a project for myself so that I had a bit more work to do on my virtually complete model railroad.

I cut two brick walls from the remnants of an Ameritowne plastic model kit.

MELGAR_40_EXTENSION_01_BRICK_WALLS_OUTSIDE

I glued the walls together, reinforced the inside of the joint to keep them perpendicular, and added two basswood pieces at the bottoms to back up a foundation beneath the bricks.

MELGAR_45_EXTENSION_06_LOWER_SUPPORTS

I added a basswood side wall that will be used to attach the extension to the main building. I also inserted a basswood floor to align the walls and make the structure more rigid. Note the reinforcements on the inside corners to maintain squareness of the three walls. The photo also shows two pieces of urethane “stone wall” that will serve as the foundation.

MELGAR_47_EXTENSION_08_FLOOR_STONE_FOUNDATIONS

Next, I painted the structure and added glazing to the insides of the windows.

MELGAR_48_EXTENSION_09_PAINTED

To be continued.

MELGAR

Attachments

Images (4)
  • MELGAR_45_EXTENSION_06_LOWER_SUPPORTS
  • MELGAR_47_EXTENSION_08_FLOOR_STONE_FOUNDATIONS
  • MELGAR_48_EXTENSION_09_PAINTED
  • MELGAR_40_EXTENSION_01_BRICK_WALLS_OUTSIDE
MELGAR posted:

Cornice – Corner-Board Trims – Vestibule Roof – Chimneys and Roof Vents

I prepared and installed pieces for the top of the cornice, the vertical corner-board trims, and the vestibule roof.

MELGAR_21_BACKGROUND_BLDG_35_CORNICE_TOPMELGAR_22_BACKGROUND_BUILDING_37_MORE_CORNICE_W_TRIM_VEST_ROOF

Chimneys and roof vents were installed next.

MELGAR_29_BACKGROUND_BUILDING_45_ROOF_ITEMS

Vestibule Steps – Completed Model

I built a narrow set of steps that lead to the vestibule door and painted it to look like concrete. The steps were made from four layers of fiber board. This view shows the side of the steps to be glued to the vestibule. The other (visible) side was covered with a piece of construction paper to conceal the seams, as shown on the second photo. The steps are narrow because the building will be only 3/4-inch from the edge of the track ties.

MELGAR_31_BACKGROUND_BUILDING_49_STAIRSMELGAR_32_BACKGROUND_BUILDING_52_VESTIBULE_STAIRS

At this point, the building as planned initially has been completed.

MELGAR_33_BACKGROUND_BUILDING_54_LEFT_ROOFMELGAR_34_BACKGROUND_BUILDING_50_FRONTMELGAR_36_BACKGROUND_BUILDING_51_RIGHT

This image shows the building on the layout.

MELGAR_37_BACKGROUND_BUILDING_55_LAYOUT

The building still must be mounted on the layout. I do this by adding ground cover that surrounds the foundation and positions it exactly, although I do not secure the structure to the layout. However, before doing that, I am considering the addition of a 6-inch (24-foot full scale) brick extension to the left side of the building. If I decide to build the extension, I will post it on this thread.

MELGAR

  From a fellow scratch builder; that is some first class modeling. Excellent in every way.

Extension – Stone Foundation – Window Blackout – Roof

I glued the two pieces of urethane “stone wall” foundation beneath the brick walls.

MELGAR_50_EXTENSION_11_STONE_FOUNDATION

I added window shades and blacked out the windows so that the white wall behind the layout would not be visible through the windows.

MELGAR_51_EXTENSION_12_SHADES_BLACKOUT

I cut a piece of basswood to make into a flat roof. However, I’m looking into the possibility of building a sawtooth roof with skylights.

MELGAR_51_EXTENSION_13_ROOF_PIECE

To be continued.

MELGAR

Attachments

Images (3)
  • MELGAR_50_EXTENSION_11_STONE_FOUNDATION
  • MELGAR_51_EXTENSION_12_SHADES_BLACKOUT
  • MELGAR_51_EXTENSION_13_ROOF_PIECE

Add Reply

Post

OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Ste 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
www.ogaugerr.com

×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×
×