"Knock, knock! Who's there?... Redemption."

A few months ago when I evaluated my first 50 posts here in blogger's paradise, I reluctantly revealed which entry was the least popular with readers in the interest of full disclosure. It was my kitbash of two inexpensive Atlas rural station kits into a representative version of the Ilchester depot. I could live with the result since it was a not-yet-completed project and was really only undertaken as an inexpensive way to redevelop skills that I hadn't used in 30+ years.

But a funny thing has happened since then. The post has slowly been gaining momentum with readers. I've received several emails with questions about the project. And I even was engaged by a reader at a local meet recently about that specific piece. So without any further ado, here are a few more photos and some additional information about the task. Click here for the original April 26th post for the complete background in, 'Practice Makes Perfect... Really?'

The rear of the depot will actually be the side that is featured on the layout as it sits on the south side of the railroad putting it right against the aisle. The window configuration is distinctly asymmetrical so I felt that it was imperative to duplicate such.



The green putty at the base of the structure gives away the six different sections that were cut and spliced together to achieve the window arrangement. Four of the six windows have gotten their upper sashes replaced with some scrapbox extras that I was able to trim into the distinctive B&O look. The other two windows may get boarded up. The white styrene strips are plugging cavities in the kit wall that held the roof brackets.



The eastern end of the depot featured two half windows that were ganged together. This 1959 photo gleaned from the B&O Historical Society archives shows the three different siding materials of the depot which I did not worry about for this entry level project.



Cutting out half of the wall horizontally was tricky enough due to the vertical board and batten, so I did not try to gang the two windows together. A stone foundation should add to the overall look as the structure will be sited on a slight grade leading up to the tracks.



Much of the reader interest has been in the process of evaluating the wall components, deciding where to cut and keeping track of all necessary parts. This is what works for me.



I typically lay wall sections on my color copier, make multiple copies and then start marking up and cutting. Once I have arrived at a formula that maximizes the available inventory, I make a master with notes and cut marks and then go to work on the styrene.

The project is still exactly where it was several months ago while I devoted my time and energy into converting my single deck layout into a multi-deck one... and then right back into a single deck again. But I do promise to do a final post when the structure is completely built, painted, weathered and detailed.

And BTW, we all know what the response should be in the title line, but I couldn't come up with a clever reply to, "Redemption who?" But that's OK. I was never really a knock, knock joke kind of guy. Give me a good light bulb riddle any day!

Update: February 23, 2016
Boy, no one gave the light bulb joke a shot. The answer, albeit to the rhetorical question is: "Only one, but the light bulb has to want to change." ... Ba-da-bum!

-30-

 

   BONUS:  RHETORICAL  QUESTION  OF  THE  DAY...  

 

How many clinical psychologists does it take to change a light bulb?