St. Blazey's - My first layout - Stage 3 Building

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I'm back from the land of pasties and JAM FIRST!
Thanks for the suggestions chaps, especially the pictures from your good self heda.
I think a water column would suit albeit without the water tank above. It would probably topple over with the raised water tank.

Are there platform mounted GWR water columns available without raised water tanks (which would be the correct height) off the shelf?
Thanks
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After having a good look around at the available water columns for the point motor cover I think the Ratio 413 looks the most suited.
I did go to a train fair yesterday but the only ones I could find for sale were older metal water columns. Too heavy for the point motor cover.
I've added the 413 to the shopping list but need to raise more modelling funds.
I'm still considering your idea Heda of adding some sort of wood planking paper stuck the sides of the point motors.
Will need another coat of looking at methinks. (It's OK though. I have a big pot)

Thanks for all the suggestions chaps. You've all been most helpful.
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[heda]

Glad my suggestions were some help.
Might it be possible to make a water column out of plastic tube ? Or perhaps get one 3d printed, just thoughts.
Dave

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Possible heda yes but I do like the look of the Ratio 413 as it comes with all the other bits and pieces to further enhance the little platform.
Lack of modelling funds is the hold up at the moment.
Thanks
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Casting my platform moulds has been the job for the last 2 days and I've finally made enough pieces to start gluing them together albeit some need gluing back together as they broke. Luckily they are clean breaks.

It will take some time to do as I need to glue on 28 wall parts one at a time in a small jig so the top row of stone sits flush with the platform edge.
The lower stones slightly recessed.
I will then strengthen them with long square strips of balsa glued along the underside of the platform top and wall, both at the front and rear.
Then the priming and painting begins.
Lots to do.
Thanks
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[heda]

Sounds like way to much hard work to me !

Dave

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It will all be worth it in the end ...... hopefully
Thanks
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Some of the platform tops didn't cast very well so I am making more today. Two more drying as I post this.

Something I noticed while casting these platforms.
It was quite a while ago I bought the first platform mould and only recently I bought a second mould to speed up the process but the moulds are NOT the same even though they are the same product number from the same manufacturer.
The original mould has more sharp defined edges of the paving stones and walling whereas the newer mould has much more worn edges to the paving and larger mortar courses on the walling.

I will use both moulds but only one type for platform 1 and the other type for platform 2/3.
If I don't like it I can cast more of the preferred type.

Here's a picture of the underneath showing the supports using balsa.

Thanks
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[heda]

I like the one on the right, worn down, looks more natural to me.

Dave

[TimberSurf]

Although I prefer the one on the right as it looks more worn, it has a very noticeably short repeat pattern, something that does my nut in!
I would use the one on the left and run over it with a brass brush to make it look less crisp and more worn

[TimberSurf]

Although I prefer the one on the right as it looks more worn, it has a very noticeably short repeat pattern, something that does my nut in!
I would use the one on the left and run over it with a brass brush to make it look less crisp and more worn

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I'll give that a try on a scrap piece.
Thanks for the idea...twice Timbersurf
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Using a brass brush didn't work out too well. It damages the edges of the paving stones too much causing a 4mm to the foot trip hazard.
But I'm not really that bothered. As long as I stick to one type per platform rather than mixing the 2 styles together.
Now to carry on gluing each platform sections constituent parts together before adding more cut down Linka tiles to the underside for more strength, undercoating and gluing them all together as 2 complete platforms,
Then the painting can begin.
It's still going to take some time.

As Platform 3 uses flexitrack and not to a standard curve either, I may need widen the platform, perhaps with wood like a pier running along the length of the stone platform.
Not sure if that's prototypical or not but It's assumed that the branch line (Platform 3) came later than the original station with 2 platforms so needed widening easily.
Thanks
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I am still building the platforms slowly and methodically and in the meantime I have started painting my 3D printed bus shelters.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/304583846246
No pictures yet as I am only at the first stage of painting the all over with a black wash to get the dirt into all the nooks and crannies.

Some recent purchases include three Hatton's 18-pin decoders (as they are down to £14 each at the moment) for my short Genesis coaches so I can dim the lights in them somewhat, a Ratio 413 Platform water crane kit, a multi-grade sanding stick and some more flicker-free coach lighting boards. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/196011484857

A lot of my modelling at the moment is just waiting for things to dry.
Thanks
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Here are the finished Bus Stops.
I tried to give the shelters a sense of age.

Thanks
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