SWITCH TOWER SCRATCH BUILDT

This is an update on the proto type of scale scratch buildt switch tower. After viewing many images online I made this which is a combination of many along with my own ideas. Its very close to being exact scale. I can't tell when I have it side by side with the plastic structures sold already buldt. Just the switch throws alone contain over 100 pieces scratch buildt. The windows and doors over 100 pieces.  There are close to 500 hand made shingles made from sand paper my 7 yr old grandson came up. He even gave me the sandpaper. After experimenting with it and actually replicating the way real shingles are made and applied to a real roof I hand cut them out and used tacky glue and applied them just as a roofer wood on a real roof. I did skip the tar paper,  dont tell anyone please.    I used the original hip roof templates I made and saved to measure and cut them after I had each roof section completed and it worked out very well.  I even over lapped  the hand made gutters to even add a more realistic look. Compared to a printed out roof which was applied like the bricks it brings it to another level and i much more realistic.  I'm sure this is an old trick and is used alot. But I got this idea from my 7 yr old grandson and after reluctantly trying his idea a few times I got it right and it was worth the time to make them. What's another 6 hrs. I must have over 80 hrs into this. I have been off of work almost a year because of a work injury and this keeps my mind busy and is good theraphy. Its all made of bass wood printed out paper and plastic windows cut from a box car plastic carton container. Brass and aluminum for the switch throws and electrical conduit.  There are 4 LEDs along with male and female plugs to unplug the roof to remove to see the interior detailing and to plug and unplug the structure itself either to 19v track acc or to a mobile 9v battery to display it independentry. LEDS I bought from Evans designs out LaCrosse Colorado.  They really add a whole new dimension and accent the structure very well. The figure and the barrels under the stairs are the only pieces that are not scratch buildt but I added them because I liked them and i think they looked good on the structure. Without the shingles there are easily over 500 pieces hand made and assembled. The concrete foundation and brick walls are printed out from CG textures and resized as close to scale as possible. Applied. With thinned out elmers glue/mod podge to apply and seal. Then I white washed them to weather and add a more realistic aged look.  Some chalk was used to for touch up areas. The coffee cup/clock books etc are all hand made. I still need to add more signs and possibly a light pole to enhance and light up the outside of the structure. Its a work in progress and its in its final stages of completion.  I made this as I went along so it's kind of unique and a one of a kind piece. It fits very well on the other scale Christmas layout i created recently and could be used on any of scale layout nicely and can be easily connectEd to any 19v track power which lights it up nicely. The 9 volt battery hook up works nice to display it independently but is only about half as bright but it's only 9 volts so that is why but still looks great if I want to take it somewhere just to show someone. When its completely finished I'm sure I will update this post with updated photos.  I hope you find this interesting and it may give you some ideas if you want to create your own.  Have a blessed day.