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General Category => N Gauge Discussion => Topic started by: jacowin80 on March 03, 2018, 07:19:16 PM

Title: Building site.
Post by: jacowin80 on March 03, 2018, 07:19:16 PM
Over the last few days I have started work on my new layout.  I wasn't planning to start until a couple of weeks time but I have been off work due to been snowed in.  I have made good progress and happy with how things are looking so far.  I am making the layout on an old door and am using kato track which makes that side of things much simpler.  I am looking to see if anyone has had a go of making a building site.  My idea is have to have a small new build housing estate with a show home and company office at the front then maybe a site office, wooden hoarding to stop people getting in then maybe some machinery, un built houses etc.  I have noticed that there used to be a farish scenecraft new build house though it could be a costly way to go around things.
Title: Re: Building site.
Post by: Newportnobby on March 03, 2018, 08:59:17 PM
I have seen houses under construction on a couple of layouts over the years but a rubbish memory won't bring the layout names to mind (sorry).
However, I think you could do a better and less expensive job yourself with some cheap buildings picked up at a local model railway show and then hacking them about to portray a roof being built with rafters made from stripwood etc.
Portakabins are available as 3D prints for site offices, appropriate vehicles from maybe Oxford Diecast and so forth. Good luck with your searches.
Title: Re: Building site.
Post by: jacowin80 on March 03, 2018, 09:07:14 PM
Quote from: newportnobby on March 03, 2018, 08:59:17 PM
I have seen houses under construction on a couple of layouts over the years but a rubbish memory won't bring the layout names to mind (sorry).
However, I think you could do a better and less expensive job yourself with some cheap buildings picked up at a local model railway show and then hacking them about to portray a roof being built with rafters made from stripwood etc.
Portakabins are available as 3D prints for site offices, appropriate vehicles from maybe Oxford Diecast and so forth. Good luck with your searches.

I have been having a look on the net and not really much coming up.  I have downloaded some building site boarding from model railway scenery which is in OO but no problem to resize, I already have portacabins so no problem with them and am currently knocking up some story homes signs and changing the name to match in with the layout.  Was thinking of using some brick paper cut low to make some foundations rather than having to scratch build scaffold.  Will hopefully post back soon.  Any ideas or help would be handy if any one knows more than me (which isn't hard!)
thank you,
James.
Title: Re: Building site.
Post by: Bealman on March 03, 2018, 09:40:11 PM
It will make a very unusual feature.  :thumbsup:

You could even have a cameo Eric Sykes, Arthur Lowe, a Morris Minor and a plank!!
Title: Re: Building site.
Post by: jacowin80 on March 03, 2018, 09:46:02 PM
Quote from: Bealman on March 03, 2018, 09:40:11 PM
It will make a very unusual feature.  :thumbsup:

You could even have a cameo Eric Sykes, Arthur Lowe, a Morris Minor and a plank!!

Sounds like a good idea.  When you see what my card built houses look like though it's probably going to be more bodgit and scarper builders!
Title: Re: Building site.
Post by: Bealman on March 03, 2018, 09:51:02 PM
I'm sure you'll do a great job. Looking forward to it!   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Building site.
Post by: jacowin80 on March 03, 2018, 10:01:47 PM
So....
after much downloading, cutting, gluing and head scratching I have got a couple of boards in place on the site, I will hopefully add some more photos tomorrow as I am currently waiting for glue to dry on my grass so the site does look like we have lots of very wet snow!  Anyways, here are some photos of the boarding.


(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/62/5188-030318215826.jpeg) (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=62544)



(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/62/5188-030318215926.jpeg) (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=62545)



(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/62/5188-030318220028.jpeg) (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=62546)
Title: Re: Building site.
Post by: Rabbitaway on March 03, 2018, 10:06:47 PM
There has been some great Japanese 1/150 construction plant produced from the likes of Tomytec but these are now difficult to source now and if found can be expensive.

Title: Re: Building site.
Post by: Newportnobby on March 03, 2018, 10:07:22 PM
Quote from: Bealman on March 03, 2018, 09:40:11 PM

You could even have a cameo Eric Sykes, Arthur Lowe, a Morris Minor and a plank!!

I'm sure Tommy Cooper was in a similar thing :hmmm:

Quote from: jacowin80 on March 03, 2018, 10:01:47 PM
So....
after much downloading, cutting, gluing and head scratching I have got a couple of boards in place on the site

They look pretty good to me, James :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Building site.
Post by: jacowin80 on March 03, 2018, 10:10:44 PM
Quote from: newportnobby on March 03, 2018, 10:07:22 PM
Quote from: Bealman on March 03, 2018, 09:40:11 PM

You could even have a cameo Eric Sykes, Arthur Lowe, a Morris Minor and a plank!!

I'm sure Tommy Cooper was in a similar thing :hmmm:

Quote from: jacowin80 on March 03, 2018, 10:01:47 PM
So....
after much downloading, cutting, gluing and head scratching I have got a couple of boards in place on the site

They look pretty good to me, James :thumbsup:

I'm happy with how they look in place as well so so far so good, just wanted something a little different.  Sometimes however there are reasons things haven't been done before!
Title: Re: Building site.
Post by: Bealman on March 03, 2018, 10:25:52 PM
Quote from: newportnobby on March 03, 2018, 10:07:22 PM
Quote from: Bealman on March 03, 2018, 09:40:11 PM

You could even have a cameo Eric Sykes, Arthur Lowe, a Morris Minor and a plank!!

I'm sure Tommy Cooper was in a similar thing :hmmm:


Yeah, he was. I'm talking about the late seventies remake which still cracks me up
Title: Re: Building site.
Post by: daffy on March 04, 2018, 06:17:15 AM
Excellent idea for a layout scene.

Just though I'd mention a few related products.

For construction vehicles and the like my first port of call would be DM Toys in Germany. They have the most comprehensive selection I have yet found. Take a look at these pages:

https://www.en.dm-toys.de/liste/tags_en/baufahrzeug_en.html (https://www.en.dm-toys.de/liste/tags_en/baufahrzeug_en.html)


From the same website, Farish do this onsite set, including a loo!

https://www.en.dm-toys.de/produktdetails/items/GF-379308.html (https://www.en.dm-toys.de/produktdetails/items/GF-379308.html)

And a set of Civil Engineers, and one of construction workers

https://www.en.dm-toys.de/produktdetails/items/GF-379-312.html (https://www.en.dm-toys.de/produktdetails/items/GF-379-312.html)

https://www.en.dm-toys.de/produktdetails/items/GF-379-302.html (https://www.en.dm-toys.de/produktdetails/items/GF-379-302.html)

For other building staff there are quite a few choices from the likes of Faller and Noch, again showing at DM Toys:

https://www.en.dm-toys.de/produktdetails/items/Faller_155354.html (https://www.en.dm-toys.de/produktdetails/items/Faller_155354.html)

https://www.en.dm-toys.de/produktdetails/items/Noch-36055.html (https://www.en.dm-toys.de/produktdetails/items/Noch-36055.html)

https://www.en.dm-toys.de/produktdetails/items/Noch-36110.html (https://www.en.dm-toys.de/produktdetails/items/Noch-36110.html)

https://www.en.dm-toys.de/produktdetails/items/Noch-36114.html (https://www.en.dm-toys.de/produktdetails/items/Noch-36114.html)

- there may be others!

Also, though these probably look wrong for a UK layout, there are even models of houses under construction, though pricey. I show them merely for ideas -

https://www.en.dm-toys.de/produktdetails/items/MU_N-H00030.html (https://www.en.dm-toys.de/produktdetails/items/MU_N-H00030.html)

https://www.en.dm-toys.de/produktdetails/items/faller-232223.html (https://www.en.dm-toys.de/produktdetails/items/faller-232223.html)


- you are probably able to scratch build something like this to get a better result, perhaps adapting a Metcalf model, or some such.

Obviously other sources for all these items are available.

I look forward to seeing your progress. :thumbsup:







Title: Re: Building site.
Post by: Bealman on March 04, 2018, 06:49:40 AM
It is a project very much suited to kitbashing.

I read an article in RM ages ago by the renowned scratch builder Allan Downes that modelling a house under construction was a lot harder than modelling a finished building.

I've never forgotten that!
Title: Re: Building site.
Post by: daffy on March 04, 2018, 07:10:26 AM
In case the comment Bealman refers to proves true, here's another model of a house under construction for consideration:

https://www.en.dm-toys.de/produktdetails/items/Tomytec-226925.html (https://www.en.dm-toys.de/produktdetails/items/Tomytec-226925.html)
Title: Re: Building site.
Post by: Merrylee on March 04, 2018, 08:44:14 AM
Good idea, something different.

Just remember houses being build on a housing development are at different stages of construction.

Houses 1 and 2 maybe foundation trenches dug out

3 and 4 concrete will be poured into founds

4 and 5 wooden kit being erected

6 and 7 roof trusses being craned on

8 and 9 outer block work starting with window/ door openings

10 would be complete as sales house

Loads of interesting diorama effects, truck loaded with scaffold, wooden kits, roof trusses, pallets of bricks, roof tiles

Compound with containers for storing on site equip with heras fencing perimeter.

Remember you site safety signs across the hoarding.

Blimey this maybe a lot better than a layout.

Ron
Title: Re: Building site.
Post by: kirky on March 04, 2018, 09:21:19 AM
On Northallerton, we had a dead patch that we wanted to fill with a construction site. The site is a bit too small to have anything being built so we tackled that problem by allowing the viewer to use their imagination. A flat site  with a skip and a couple of piles of sand, some vehicles which you cant see and a portacabin, and the site is done. We should add signage of course.

(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/52/492-300517131713-52327643.jpeg)

An angle showing the missing vehicles and portacabins, but you get the idea.
(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/54/492-300817082436.jpeg)

cheers
Kirky
Title: Re: Building site.
Post by: exmouthcraig on March 04, 2018, 09:28:36 AM
Luckily plenty of estates being built at the moment for inspiration and prototypical ideas of site workings.

Oxford diecast Tranny vans will be a plenty plus all the supply chain. Teleporters, CPI euromix tanks for the ready mixed muck in the compound. Eddie Stobart won a brick haulier contract last year, hopefully standing a good chance of getting a model of their artic with the self propelled brick grab on the trailer.

I think you'd struggle to pay attention to the railway with all of that going on  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Building site.
Post by: Bealman on March 04, 2018, 10:21:37 AM
That's a pretty cool solution, Kirky.  :thumbsup:

Must admit this thread got me to fire up The Plank on YouTube. Great seeing a young Joanna Lumley and all those comedy actors of the time!
Title: Re: Building site.
Post by: Merrylee on March 04, 2018, 12:21:04 PM
Yes Kirky I like that. Nice and simple.

There's always that bit of spare ground around railway lines.

You could do a sign.....'Development Land for Sale call 1234'

Or create a Network Rail holding compound. Sleepers, bits of track, storage containers etc etc.

Ron
Title: Re: Building site.
Post by: kirky on March 04, 2018, 12:41:44 PM
Quote from: Merrylee on March 04, 2018, 12:21:04 PM
Yes Kirky I like that. Nice and simple.

There's always that bit of spare ground around railway lines.

You could do a sign.....'Development Land for Sale call 1234'

Or create a Network Rail holding compound. Sleepers, bits of track, storage containers etc etc.

Ron
Thank you.
You see the building to the left of the bus in the first pic, that is a network rail building and holding compound. You just can't tell that from the photo.
Cheers
Kirky
Title: Re: Building site.
Post by: Papyrus on March 04, 2018, 01:08:18 PM
From my 40 odd (some of them very odd...) years surveying on building sites, you will need at least two portacabins - crew facilities below with the site office perched on top, accessed by scaffold-pole stairs. You should also include a concrete silo, fuel tanks for the diggers and dumpers, and lots and lots of mud with very deep ruts in it! Also remember that the houses completed first are the ones at the front of the site so that new purchasers don't have to go through a building site to get home.

Hope this helps!

Cheers,

Chris
Title: Re: Building site.
Post by: jacowin80 on March 04, 2018, 06:30:10 PM
A big thank you to everyone for all the reply's, links and inspiration.  I have just got back from work but thinking of things to do on this bit of the layout all day.  I already have the Farish Scenecraft building site pack so that will definitely be coming into this, even if it's just for the portaloo.  I have an area set aside at the front of the plot which I plan to use as the site entrance, sales office and have the show home next to it.  Maybe I will only have two plots at the start of construction then have the rest of the site been leveled out ready for phase 2.  I have been looking on Ebay and noticed that Ebay seller DAPR used to do a building site set with cement silo, site office and diggers etc.  He seems to do a few things related to modern image but to me stock seems erratic.  When I finally want to buy it seems to be out of stock.  Has anyone else bought off him? and if so what is the quality like?  I take my hat off to any one who supplies items like this as it can only encourage people to join the band!
Title: Re: Building site.
Post by: Rabbitaway on March 04, 2018, 08:53:36 PM
Have a look at some of the construction plant I have set aside for my new layout

http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=36671.msg432876#msg432876 (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=36671.msg432876#msg432876)

Unfortunately some of these items are very hard to find now
Title: Re: Building site.
Post by: jacowin80 on March 05, 2018, 02:05:20 PM
Quote from: Rabbitaway on March 04, 2018, 08:53:36 PM
Have a look at some of the construction plant I have set aside for my new layout

http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=36671.msg432876#msg432876 (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=36671.msg432876#msg432876)

Unfortunately some of these items are very hard to find now

That's quite a collection.  I have been looking on Ebay to what is to be had a seems to be quite a bit, however some of the German sellers seem to be looking for around £15 postage so when you are just buying one cement mixer makes it all quite expensive.
Title: Re: Building site.
Post by: Rabbitaway on March 05, 2018, 03:25:51 PM
Try and buy direct from Japan - run ebay searches with full international function on   

The very nice Tomytec excavators are now just about impossible to find - these are far better than the one now available from the likes of DM


Title: Re: Building site.
Post by: jacowin80 on March 05, 2018, 03:28:56 PM
Quote from: Rabbitaway on March 05, 2018, 03:25:51 PM
Try and buy direct from Japan - run ebay searches with full international function on   

The very nice Tomytec excavators are now just about impossible to find - these are far better than the one now available from the likes of DM
I've had a few things off Japan Plaza and always been good postage.  I have a very nice shell petrol station by Tomytec which I will be using opposite the building site.
Title: Re: Building site.
Post by: Rabbitaway on March 05, 2018, 03:47:40 PM
I have bought a few bits from Plaza and they are good

There are other sellers as well that provide more models, some based in Hong Kong

Since the photos posted on the linked thread I have added other items as well

As I said you need to ensure the ebay search options are set to pick these counties up or you will not find many models, prices and postage are cheap from these counties. You need to keep checking regularly as these are not that common

Also try searching under Fujimoto, Bandai, Maruka, f-toys and Aoshima as well as Tomytec


 
Title: Re: Building site.
Post by: jacowin80 on March 05, 2018, 08:12:38 PM
So.  More progress made today and I have got some of the boards up in place, I have also made a couple of piles of sand and grit and dug out a nice machine for the job.  Next up I will start making some foundations for a couple of houses and will be remaking the show home. 


(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/62/5188-050318201131.jpeg) (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=62628)



(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/62/5188-050318201209.jpeg) (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=62629)
Title: Re: Building site.
Post by: Bealman on March 05, 2018, 09:00:17 PM
That looks great! You've certainly got off to a good start!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Building site.
Post by: Railwaygun on March 06, 2018, 05:17:35 AM
Blimey this maybe a lot better than a layou

At least things move on a railway. Layout( unless it's a Bob Crow special)

Moving cranes and a revolving cement mixer ( motor drive from under board? are a possibility? Digging / tea drinking?
Title: Re: Building site.
Post by: jacowin80 on March 06, 2018, 10:38:44 AM
Quote from: Railwaygun on March 06, 2018, 05:17:35 AM
Blimey this maybe a lot better than a layou

At least things move on a railway. Layout( unless it's a Bob Crow special)

Moving cranes and a revolving cement mixer ( motor drive from under board? are a possibility? Digging / tea drinking?

I have a friend who works on the Railways. He isn't into model Railways, what he is interested in however is machinery. Apparently he spends hours in the evening photographing his model cranes one small move after another to then put them together to make a video! 

I have also been looking at some traintech effect lighting. I think it is possible to have bonfires etc and sparks from grinders in sheds etc. So many things that are possible on this one!