Commission: Staverton station in OO…

I love working on models for your own layouts, making people dream models and helping them make things long hoped a reality. Often this revolves around locomotives and rolling stock but occasionally I am asked to work on structures...

I think the last commission structure may well have also been the first actually - as usually structures are part of a full layout build. Blodwell bridge was good fun, and required scratch building from photos and a drawing in the traditional manner. However, the model you see here was not created in a traditional manner - instead, it is a conversion of a paper kit!

This certainly didn't make things any easier! I worked up some basic overall dimensions from the paper artwork but as this is all in separate pieces designed to be stuck to different thicknesses of card it was far from straightforward. However, once I had overall size it was a little easier to work from photos too - so what you see here isn't a strict model of Staverton, per se, but a model of a model of Staverton!

The structures have a styrene core of 30thou, overlaid with textured sheets from Slaters. These are superglued on to avoid problems with warping. Details are added including the roof, soffets etc and guttering and downpipes made but put to one side until later. The roof slates are just strips of paper glued in place to give some slight texture and shadow.

Doors are from York Modelmaking whereas the windows are custom etched to my own design. These are single piece etched brass but they fold to give the appearance of a sash window. The half etched rebate allowing you to easily paint the moving frames and window frame in different colours, if required (as shown here). I actually used the paper kit to provide some interior detail, cut down and adjusted, but it gives a quick impression if glancing through a window.

The model was finished in enamel paints and the mortar follows a new method Ive used recently - applying a thin wash of filler - once this goes off it is rubbed off whilst still wet, leaving a residue in the mortar lines. Once dry this can be adjusted by rubbing with a finger. The result is then sealed in with lacquer. Although it may appear not straight and level, this is actually where I was taking photos rather than the model itself. This is designed to sit on the platform surface of my customers layout - alternately if you would prefer a model with a 'basement' that can be cut into a layout to avoid any gap at the join this is easily achievable during the build.

In fact your exact requirements can be discussed and I can share my experience to help us come up with a specification you are happy with and meets every need - including budget! If you'd like to work with me on a structure commission - or full layout build, then get in touch for a no obligation proposal. Until next time, more soon...

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