G`day Folks, Staying with the station theme, here is a video which shows how to make the station platforms which you would have seen on my railway. Cheers Gormo
Those platforms look cracking. Thank you for the video and all the tips from it. I've been looking around for ages trying to find a solid method and I think I'll definitely be using this
Thanks DJ, I am happy with the slabs and the hardest part of the work was the idea and working out the process. The rest is just assembly which takes some time and patience. Cheers Gormo
Interesting to watch how you made your platforms, but a hell of a lot of work making all the scribing tools and so on. I find that the Metcalfe Platform Kits are a pretty good option for making up platforms in whatever length and shape you want. Each kit gives you enough material to make a seven foot long platform which are very strong when built up and you build them exactly the same way as you have demonstrated with cross bracing underneath. It just seems a lot of work scratchbuilding your platforms, but I must agree, they look good when finished. Cheers Geoff
G`day Geoff, Yes the Metcalfes are a good option, however my platforms are quite narrow, so possibly some extra work required there to fit Metcalfes in the same position.? Anyway, doesn`t matter, it`s done now and they are unique with a texture that you can`t achieve in a ready made kit. Cheers Gormo
Hi, great video Gormo, I actually nodded off a bit in the middle there, so I’ll have to go back and check it again. It’s very relaxing watching other people working! Anyway, really liked the construction and scribing techniques and use of chalk pastels. You could use the same techniques to scratch build stone buildings couldn’t you? All best to you.
G`day Steve, Hope I didn`t wake you.?.....lol Thanks for your comments and yes, I suppose the same technique could be used for stone buildings. Must try that.? Stay safe Cheers Gormo
G`day Martin, Yes I agree the plywood would be a better option in your climate. The MDF is a sponge when it comes to humidity. It will expand in humid conditions. Cheers Gormo
Hi Gormo, great video thanks...when completed you say seal the surface...what did you use...I have some matt clear varnish in a spray can , is that ok Regards ken ( from the covid lockdown layout in my loft in Stainton England)
G`day Ken, I used hair spray on my platforms to seal the pastel. This is something I had heard from an artist friend, however I feel that your spray varnish may work as well. If I were you I would make up a test piece on a bit of card and try your varnish on that first. There are also spray sealer products around as well, but once again....test first. Cheers Gormo
Hi Gormo, thanks for your reply. I will do a test piece , try your hairspray then one with varnish and one with diluted pva which i have used on brick paper which i had firmly glued to wood....will let you know the results Regards Ken
RU-vid just threw this up today. You've convinced me that my ideas are feasible and its nice to watch you at work so I can iron out the wrinkles before I start. My only comment is that I don't think you'd get those thin slithers in real life. I'd need to find a real-world example but I would have gone for slabs laid across the platform rather than along and laid what is called Cathedral-style (what you cut off starts the next row). I appreciate that involves a shed-load of extra work but I've had a fair few tiles laid by professionals and they don't like narrow and pointy cuts.
Hi Gormo, Good technical video with some good tips. I am just about to build one but using cardboard. I have never seen white p240 sandpaper but will have a good look as your paving is tops. Barry.Devon.
Thats a very intresting way of making a platform I have only just made one like that but in balsa 1/8 in and on a curve as well .Looks like a great layout
Hello Gormo, I enjoy your presentations and intrigued, are you in Australia. If so, were you brought up there, but like British Railways items?? Thank you. John
G`day John, Yes I am in Australia and yes, I was born here. My family has been here since the mid 1800`s and I have English and Irish ancestry. I`m glad you enjoy my videos All the best Gormo
G`Day Gormo, Thank you for your response. I am totally intrigued about your room which does not look too large and recently the turn table for your cassettes! Have you ever been to the UK to see how your lovely layout compares with the real stuff. Enjoy your railway and keep safe from any nasty virus. Best wishes. John New Forest UK
@@johnstubbington5163 G`day John, The railway room is 14 x 10 feet. I could have made it larger, but glad I didn`t. I have more than enough to do as it is. The turntable is a space saver and adds considerably to the running capabilities of the railway. The railway possibly would have been easier to control and build with a simple roundy, roundy in the room, however I also have the branch line with two stations fitted in there as well. It gets a bit close in there at times. I have been to the UK 5 times now over a span of 29 years. My layout is an "attempt" at having the feel of a British style railway, which is difficult from half way around the World.? You keep safe too John, and all the best to you and your family Cheers Gormo
¡Hola buenos días Gormo! Having recently had three MDF platforms prepared, this video could not have come at a better time. I’ve been umming and arhhing for days about how I would finish the edges and top surfaces and, after watching you, I am convinced that the pastel and scribing is an excellent option. I’ve seen that particular glass paper in stores over here and will certainly be experimenting on some scrap wood to achieve my colour and stone effect sizing. I smiled like the Cheshire Cat when you mentioned Rule #1 - a great poke in the eye for those pesky rivet counters out there in their own Cloud Cookoo Land. You also mentioned a professional guy who would have laid the paving - that’s actually you Gormo! As ever, an inspiration to the hobby. Un Salud. Gary
G`day Gary, Yes mate.....experimenting is highly recommended. It will give you the confidence to proceed and may even indeed throw up some more options for you. I used the Monte Marte ( not sure if that spelling is correct ?) brand of CHALK pastels. It`s all a bit full on with having to make jigs and scribes etc., however you will end up with something unique, which is a bonus. Rivet counters are banned from my shed......in my opinion, if the thing looks right, it is right. We have to remember that this is a hobby and it should be stimulating and it should be fun. So if folks want to get all precious about it, they need to chill out and get a life. I wish you great success with your platforms and do let me know how you go with the process. Cheers Gormo
great ideas. thanks. question though, are you using carpet underlay for the track bed? searched all your videos but can't find any reference to what methods and materials you've used. i've got a roll of bamboo floor underlay out the back. its 3mm thick and less spongy than carpet underlay, and thinking of using that.
G`day Simon, Yes I am using foam rubber carpet underlay under the tracks.......kills the noise ......it`s 8 mm thick. The bamboo should be OK....do a test on it first before you commit. Sorry for the late reply because I`m not getting any notifications from RU-vid.???? Cheers Gormo
Fantastic work as always Gormo, nicely done! Quick question, what glue did you use for the bracing on the interior of the platform walls? Contact adhesive again? Superb job, looks really amazing. Cheers, Dom
G`day Dom, Thanks for your comments. On the internal bracing I used PVA simply because it dries slow and therefore gives time to adjust the parts and make sure they are sitting just right. The contact adhesive is a great glue, but requires you to place the parts correctly first go, and then it`s wham bam thank you mam....done. Cheers Gormo
Hi Gormo. This is a brilliant piece of engineering and looks very realistic when finished. I thoroughly enjoy watching your videos and find them very informative and a great help in my modelling efforts. Keep up the excellent work mate and stay safe and well.
Thank you Kevin, Glad to be of help. It`s a bit of a surprise when comments appear on videos posted some years back, but they are welcome. Stay safe yourself Cheers Gormo
Hi Gormo. Great video. One thing I miss in this type of video is that some of the more difficult bits don't get shown in enough detail. I've yet to start on my layout and I've seen the trick with the pencil against a carriage to get the platform/track distance right on a straight, but I'd like more detail on how you did the curved bits of the platform.
G`day Paul, As I mentioned in the video, the pencil line is purely a guide, and as such will not be absolutely correct on the curves. A 60 foot coach actually cuts across curves and the amount depends on how tight the radius is and the length of the coach. The pencil also moves around a bit as you try and run it parallel with the coach, therefore it`s purely a guide. Accurate laying out is achieved by temporary fitting of the walls. The straight sections are easy, they can be spaced according to standard measurements available online, but the curves need to be trialed with coaches and temporary scraps of MDF used to simulate platform tops because each radius will give a different result. The tighter the radius the more clearance required. If you stand a wall next to the track and place weights on the internal brackets, the wall can be moved towards or away from the track. The curved sections will hold a radius if the brackets are weighed down. Not every bracket needs to be weighed down. Just enough brackets to hold the shape. The MDF bends easily over a 3 foot length When you get to the point where it works, you can mark an accurate guide line against the edge of the wall and screw the wall down securely. One thing worth checking is steam locos. Some of the big ones have side steps fitted at the front of the loco. The steps can swing wide on a curve and catch the edge of the platform. So where this leads you to is comprehensive testing, before you fit the platform permanently. Hope this helps Cheers Gormo
G`day Greg, Yes I guess it`s an epic build, but most of the hard work is in the idea. If I were to do it again, it would be completed more easily as I now know what to do. Cheers Gormo
why so complicated you only need long planed batons from b and q or somewhere cut to shape painted can eveb cut platgorm overhang with a router when painted paint white line on edge
