An ornate stone building frontage made from hand-cut card - N Gauge Town Hall Part 4

[@themexicannon]

You've got Club Passion down perfectly. It completely evokes sticky carpets and that hot, musty stale waft of "air" on entry. Add a takeaway, a bus shelter and a phone box smelling of wee to try and find a taxi when the bus arrives late (and with no space left on it) and you've modelled every one of my University "student nights".

[@Chandwell]

I think you've glimpsed my mind when I try to make this club!

[@martinpook5707]

The fact that you enjoy cutting is all the justification needed!

[@Chandwell]

Thanks Martin!

[@peterwooldridge7285]

Bravo, re the scalpel...one of the things I like most about this wonderful series is it shows hobbies don't need to cost the earth. That said, I am a bit concerned about the amount of breakfast cereal and chocolate cake being consumed

[@Chandwell]

I don't like chocolate cake. I buy it only for the acetate and since I hate to see it go to waste, I just FORCE myself to eat it all.

[@JohnHill-qo3hb]

WOW, just amazing, your work belongs in an art gallery, not a train layout... OK, OK, looks fantastic on a train layout too!

[@Chandwell]

Wow - that is very kind! Thank you!

[@stukidson1207]

I can just imagine the chaos outside the nightclub at kicking out time. Drunks (both male and female), the local hard men squaring up to each other, couples arguing because he/she caught them eyeing up someone . . . . Brilliant

[@Chandwell]

Yep - you've got it spot on!

[@rossdark713]

The panoramic view of your layout is amazing considering you scratch built it all. Also nice to see someone in N scale. Keep it up. Love it.

[@Chandwell]

Thank you!

[@Elvenhome]

I think almost everywhere had one of those dens in their town. You have captured the feel of the outside of night club perfectly as always. I also agree with you that part of the joy of the hobby for me is the fabrication of parts of a scratch build if I can. Stephen

[@Chandwell]

Thank you Stephen. I think we feel the same here.

[@mellowfellow6816]

Your cardboard cutting techniques and commitment remind me of Japanese woodblock carving for print-making.

[@Chandwell]

Ah yeah - that's interesting.

[@Chris-BognorRegis]

You never cease to amaze me Michael. Your skill and imagination has no bounds and is reflected in your brilliant Chandwell. What will you pull out of the hat next I wonder.

[@Chandwell]

Thank you!

[@petergreenough630]

If, when I finally begin, my level of skill is half yours I will be a happy man. By the way I can appreciate the 'done it be hand' level of satisfaction, nothing beats its it. Looking forward to the rest. Thanks

[@Chandwell]

Thank you! I hope you get started soon!

[@GeorgeK356]

This isn't just a model railway layout, it's a glimpse into a forgotten time, and into the skills of one dedicated modeller. Chandwell is every small industrial market town which has gotten neglected and abused by its council, by shady businessmen intent on squeezing the last bit of brass out of a once hard working community, and by developers intent on poking their snouts in the trough. You have captured not only the look of all of that, Michael, but also, in the imagination, the smell and the sounds of that era. The railway seems almost an afterthought, an escape from the dreary world that awaits all towns like Chandwell. It's a lot more true to life than the twee, thatched cottage, Cotswold stone farmhouse style layouts that abound on the internet. George

[@Chandwell]

Thank you so much George! I think you have "got" exactly what I am trying to do with Chandwell. In many ways the railway is just the excuse to have a model town in the first place. When I am finished, I want the railway to be threaded through a real town, rather than it be the centre piece with buildings dotted around it.

[@niro017]

You, Kind sir, have the patience of a saint, cutting all this out by hand. Until you said how relaxing you find the cutting, I was thinking how much, and what, you could do with a laser cutter. And the fact that you make all this out of paper card, as opposed to styrene, just astounds me, your structures look just as good, oh heck, better than commercial stuff, and everything is so one of a kind unique. I am just in awe of you craftsmanship.

[@Chandwell]

Thank you - that is really kind.

[@andrewretallick4614]

Oh no! Competition for Buffers! Will Club Passion have their own happy hour?! Which will be most popular for the youth of Chandwell?! Will it hold 70's Singles Nights?! Oh so many questions😉 Fantastic detail Michael up with your best!!👍 Andrew 🙂

[@Chandwell]

We shall see. I am sure that Britney will be on the case soon.

[@rwissbaum9849]

Michael, I agree with your comments on staying away from machine cutters. Every time I see an ad for an inexpensive laser cutter, I find that I still need to buy a cutting bed, a ventilation system, and sometimes even a higher powered laser. Spending $1,000 or more for a laser cutting setup does not make a lot of sense - especially when you have a steady hand, good eyesight, and no arthritis!

[@Chandwell]

The costs soon mount, don't they!?

[@barryturner2916]

Michael every time I watch your videos I am blown away by the depth of the detail you achieve (especially in N gauge). The night club frontage looks spot on and great recycle to make the wing signage. Always look forward to watching your updates, well done, regards Barry..

[@Chandwell]

Wow, thank you!

[@davidstokes8441]

We have/had a very similar nightclub in Adelaide, called Heaven, which was one of your alternatives. Rather than taking over the Town Hall it invaded the oldest Pub in town, right on the corner of West and North Terrace. This pub catered to bullock drivers, livestock agents and members of the Pastoral elite (farmers with millions of acres). As their numbers thinned, it became the home watering hole for butchers.. It too was a beautiful building once.

[@Chandwell]

This kind of thing seems to be common everywhere!

[@SeymourClearly2]

I wondered how you’d modelled the club’s angel wings. Never though of a piece of cheap jewellery!

[@Chandwell]

It worked really well. I am happy with it.

[@valentinsn-ostalgiemodellbahn]

Great idea to use jewelery on your layout in this form, Michael. Once I have found a bracelet in the department store, which I've used as a chain for a ship model for my layout - added some value to it, too! ;-) The black painted facade is a real eye catcher, I do know such clubs, which loved to paint the facade of the old buildings in heavy colours, too. Very realistic detail of Club Passion. All the best Valentin

[@Chandwell]

Thank you Valentin!

[@royfearn4345]

Chandwell is fast becoming my favourite layout. Not only for the detail in the individual buildings, but also for the overviews across the town as it develops. Absolutely brilliant - keep the episodes coming! Previous favourites? MMRS Dewsbury Midland (00), Gainsborough (0) and the Sherwood Section (0 C/S), plus others without number.... .

[@Chandwell]

That is extremely kind. I am familliar with Dewsbury Midland and I remember being extremely inspired by it when I first saw pictures of it. That and Tetley Mills are often in the back of my mind when I work on Chandwell.

[@mikeuk1954]

These videos are a work of art. Your modelling skills are amazing. As soon as the video is published, I'm glued to my screen. 😅

[@Chandwell]

Thank you so much 😀

[@dave3301]

Love the time consuming, excellent care in cutting your parts, Thanks for sharing.

[@Chandwell]

Thanks for watching!

[@paulbache3940]

Impressive work Michael !

[@Chandwell]

Thank you!

[@normanrowe2831]

Hi Michael. Both facades look great. But Club Passion’s iconic wings façade definitely takes the cake. Wonderful. See ya next time.

[@Chandwell]

Thank you Norman!

[@ianjeffery4773]

More amazing card cutting. :)

[@Chandwell]

Thank you!

[@rickmiller595]

Brilliant, as always!

[@Chandwell]

Thank you!

[@stevewilliams1054]

I’m a member of MERG (Model Electronic Railway Group) and this week we had a Zoom meeting, in which one of our members demonstrated his use of a Silhouette digital cutting machine to create buildings for his layout. Of course, I thought of your KZbin channel and wondered if such a device would be of benefit to you. I bought my daughter a Cricut cutting machine and I know what they are capable of. Then almost immediately reflected that I find it more therapeutic to cut and carve things by hand myself and I assumed by the way you talk about your creations, that you felt the same way.🙂

[@Chandwell]

Thank you! I think you've summed up my own feelings perfectly. I have "join MERG" on my list of things to do. When I started Chandwell, I expected to be most interested in the electronics and it was going to be full of all kinds of interesting things... But then I realised that I LOVE making things from card and everything else just dropped into the background. And since I work in technology full-time, sitting down and doing electronics has lost its sheen. But one day... Chandwell 2 will be full of MERG bits and pieces. The demo track they always show at the Doncaster exhibition always catches my eye and I think "if only...".

[@stevewilliams1054]

@@Chandwell Yes spent 42 years working with technology from mainframes to desktops and computer networks in between. Although I had qualifications in electronics didn't get back into that till I retired. Built live steam models though. Keep up the good work I like seeing what you have achieved.

[@peterjackson-cheadleheath1182]

Hi Michael As ever, just brilliant! Thanks

[@Chandwell]

Many thanks!

[@billforrest4205]

The wings charm adds an authentic touch to a tacky nightclub 😂👍

[@Chandwell]

Tacky? Tacky? It's Chandwell's PREMIUM NIGHTTIME VENUE, you know! 😂👍😂👍😂👍

[@wolvertoncentresidings5676]

Wow. I struggle to get that amount of detail in my OO buildings and you do it for N!!!! Amazing!

[@Chandwell]

Thank you!

[@afm1948]

I could imagine the lovely Miss Scroggins in a pair of those earings extolling the delights and debauchery within Club Passion in the next promotionan video! Arthur

[@Chandwell]

I saw Britney yesterday and she has agreed to the gig!

[@ngaugefouroaksstreetstatio6932]

Amazing Michael, when i look at the overall scene with all the buildings it's just so realistic.

[@Chandwell]

Thank you!

[@vodaploda]

looks great

[@Chandwell]

Thank you! 👍

[@rocknroll527]

Pure talent and dedication, amazing work.

[@Chandwell]

Thank you very much!

[@marklindsey4112]

Love the use of the charm as the nite club sign. Your painting on that is really striking. Looks just right.

[@Chandwell]

Thank you!

[@markbroadwith9601]

Club Passion 😂 just love it.

[@Chandwell]

Get yourself down on Wednesday night. It's "cheesy chart hits" night. Vodka and a mixer only 80 pence.

[@Colin399]

Stunning work, your attention to detail is incredible

[@Chandwell]

Thank you so much 😀

[@ottorosborough7589]

Michael as always you have nailed it. This building looks great. You make it look so easy. I always watch your videos at least twice so I don’t miss anything. I’m learning Inkscape slowly but I’m getting better at it. Thank you for all the trading you give everyone and I look forward to your next video. Thanks Otto

[@Chandwell]

Thanks again! Keep going!

[@stevenbarnett2497]

Hi Mike doing a excellent job there nothing wrong with the way u do ur builds if it works for u you then carry on ur clearly very good at it glad u enjoy doing it that’s what it’s all about having fun n enjoying it look forward to the next video 👍

[@Chandwell]

Thank you, I will

[@stevenbarnett2497]

@@Chandwell ur welcome 👍

[@philcorrin1035]

I just know my head will fall off when you do the roof!

[@Chandwell]

Oh no - I hope not! :) :)

[@greatnorthernrailwaytother4711]

Always enjoy watching your videos Michael. Cheers Peter.

[@Chandwell]

Glad you like them!

[@NorthernJerseyRailroad]

As someone who does use a Cricut machine for cutting parts, I can tell you there are severe Limitations to its capabilities, particularly when cutting fine details. At least on my machine 0.5mm is the absolute minimum it’s capable of achieving. There are just some things that just must be cut by hand. For example, those corbels would get shredded by my Cricut if I tried them. Your building is looking beautiful, though really, I still think daily videos from Chandwell are a must!

[@doctormo]

I agree. My brother is great, but it's entirely dependant on having a sharp carterage, a super sticky backing and control over the speed of the device. Not all devices have this control.

[@Chandwell]

Thanks for the advice! Daily videos you say!!? Wow! :)

[@JamesPetts]

Three floors of beds!

[@Chandwell]

Beds! Beds! Beds!

[@doctormo]

@@Chandwell Does the nightclub also offer beds?

[@Warpy75]

Another great video. Your building design and builds are stunning and even more impressive in n. I completely agree with your comment about the satisfaction of cutting everything out. I build a lot of scalescenes and find exactly the same after a busy day at work. Looking forward to the next video

[@Chandwell]

Thanks a bunch!

[@roystudds1944]

That was truly amazing Michael! I’m running out of superlatives to say how incredible I find your work and imagination. I get completely what you mean about how relaxing you find the cutting out by hand. I’m reaching that stage when my eyesight and hand control are, shall we say, less sure than yours so enjoy it whilst you can. Can’t wait to see what you come up with next. Roy.

[@Chandwell]

Wow, thank you!

[@davidcox5289]

Remarkable Michael. Well done for such fantastic work in such a small scale

[@Chandwell]

Thank you!

[@antonionunes9525]

A great work. I have a N layout and I made many buildings with plastic card. But you work it's superb and very accurate. Cheers from Portugal.

[@Chandwell]

Thank you! Great to have a viewer in Portugal!

[@the_cheese]

The amount of detail and the artistry are amazing, but what I find breathes life into Chandwell is the story of the people that live and work there, like "Ben's Beds" and "Club Passion". Thanks for continuing to document the construction of this fantastic layout, Michael!

[@Chandwell]

Thank you! I love adding a bit of background info to add atmosphere.

[@peterstecks7660]

It looks as though you have the main presents for the ladies in your life sorted for several years into the future Michael - as long as they don't remember what you bought them this year... Saving a few bob means that you can buy a few more A4 sheets of sticky labels... Always thinking Michael. Always thinking mate... 👌I wish I was as brave as you Michael. 🤣😂🤣

[@Chandwell]

Genius Peter. Genius. Thank you!

[@simonhodgetts6530]

It’s your layout - build it however you like! I find your approach inspiring and very relaxing to watch! I am following other layouts which use 3D printing - and they are excellent - but so is Chandwell! If you like hand building - then keep doing it - the layout is amazing!

[@Chandwell]

Thank you! Will do!

[@GeoffreyPeas]

Loved watching this as always 👍

[@Chandwell]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@rizlastrange]

Amazing work again Micheal. Another masterpiece in the making.

[@Chandwell]

Thank you! Hope so!

[@daviemaclean61]

Fantastic intricate work as ever. I knew the night club wings would be some inexpensive jewelry (or expensive and hand crafted if your wife's reading this!). Great paint job on those. Cheers

[@Chandwell]

Ahem. It was the finest hand-crafted silver money could buy. The similarity to the naff sign on the model nightclub is purely coincidental.

[@maxletaconnoux6824]

My goodness. This part of this city is going to look spectacular once it’s finished! Keep up the great work!!

[@Chandwell]

Thank you! Will do!

[@precisioncardmodels]

Being a cardmodeller for a few decades now I really love your work. And I think you would get a maximum amount of use out of a cheap diode laser cutter.

[@Chandwell]

I am sure I would if I bought one, but until I no longer enjoy cutting by hand, I have no desire to buy one. I'd probably say I've spent less on the whole of Chandwell's card buildings than an entry level card cutter would cost! Chandwell version 2 may well be cut by the machines, but it may also be in 00 gauge and have hand made track, so who knows! :)

[@precisioncardmodels]

Regarding your arches: We sometimes use a small sharpened screwdriver to punch the tight arcs little by little.

[@Chandwell]

Great tip thank you!

[@markhayes789]

That's a great looking building. Love it.

[@Chandwell]

Thank you. I can't wait to see it with the tower and its roof all finished.

[@viennatramway]

so great what you are doing!

[@Chandwell]

Thank you!

[@ZAKKANWAKKAR]

The difference being that Chandwell frontage is based on a deep understanding of and commitment to elegant yet functional civic architecture unlike posh buggers from Leeds that are all front and nowt else.

[@Chandwell]

They do need learning, them.

[@bronoun8884]

Ive never been to Chandwell but I think at one time or other we’ve all been to that club 😅 For realistic etc might need a little crowd around the side who can’t afford to get in so they are partying in street where they can hear the music . On the roof lots of steel walkways. On said walkways a couple of fellas robbing the place . A lone policeman stands just far away that he can pretend he didn’t see if theres any trouble 😂

[@Chandwell]

Hahah yes, that would be quite the scene!

[@nicolaiitchenko7610]

Stunning! Absolutely stunning! The new cornice and the brilliance of the method used left me gasping. What a GREAT idea! The irony and the implications of the "Club Passion" and a bedding shop together really amused me and is just the sort of tongue in cheek humor that I loved in your Royal Scott build telling tales of fights, fires and famous folk. I eagerly anticipate the next episode.

[@Chandwell]

Thank you as ever! :)

[@philkirk4571]

Watching this from a distant holiday I came across a fellow modeller. I showed him Chandwell. He was convinced he’d been there living just down the road from Saltaire. I left him with that thought. Just shows how believable this layout has become. I love the view down the street and through the arch. Oh, are there any curry houses you could recommend?

[@Chandwell]

What a brilliant story! Thank you for sharing! :)

[@johnrenforth5825]

Another great video and build, Passion Night Club sounds erm well greasy and dirty 😂

[@Chandwell]

It really does!

[@andrewstevenson5449]

Ah, I was just wondering what was going on with the other two walls, and you've pre-empted me! Look forward to that. When I saw Club Passion's sign, I thought you had excelled yourself with cutting out cereal packets. But you've cheated!!! 🤣🤣🤣

[@Chandwell]

Yes, I cheated! 🤣🤣

[@chimpalienbaby7312]

This building is beautiful. I love your videos!

[@Chandwell]

Thank you so much! :)

[@djrobi61]

Coming together nicely! Really like how it all ties in.

[@Chandwell]

I am pleased with how it is coming together.

[@anfieldroadlayoutintheloft5204]

good vid on the channel nice build thanks lee

[@Chandwell]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@markwilson8002]

Just amazing you can create such small detail in this scale, i dop my hat again to you "i think its spelt dop?" For a bit of fun maybe some flashing disco lights inside.. 😂

[@Chandwell]

I think it's "doff", but thank you all the same! It's 11:41 AM in Chandwell, so unfortunately the building will be locked up and all the lights dimmed. It's even more depressing that way, I think! :)

[@3dkdownloadablemodelrailwa199]

Hey Michael, just love what you are doing and am getting some great ideas. The problem is i have a three tier layout with the top section a large open flat area that i have no idea what to do with it. I thought of a town street or shop backs like you have done.Can you help?

[@Chandwell]

My advice would be to do something to make it less flat. Even a slight incline will make things look more natural whether you add a street, or a series of huge factories...?

[@markavis7232]

That looks really good - the stone detailing is really convincing (and a right fiddly b****** I am sure). When you come to the sidewall - how about transgressing further what would nowadays be the restored Victorian feel, with a horrible galv kitchen extractor flue, stains down the side and a wonky Chinese hat on top? :)

[@Chandwell]

I like that idea. I have something like that planned for the takeaways on Station Road.

[@Joliie]

Amazing :) at this point, are there some of the older buildings you would have done differently? or maybe change?

[@Chandwell]

What an excellent question! I have given this a lot of thought. Although my methods and priorities have changed, no I don't think so. Nothing on the layout sticks out as something I wish I had done differently. I can always see minor issues and "if only's" but on he whole I an happy with the whole thing.

[@johnpandolfino8663]

God is in the details.....

[@Chandwell]

Still more to add, I think.

[@HP-Aw-Haltepunkt-Auwiesen]

It's possible to work with sandpaper ... I use it ... careful...

[@Chandwell]

What do you use it for?

[@HP-Aw-Haltepunkt-Auwiesen]

@@Chandwell smoothly better forming/cleaning after (!) cutting round openings like these windows... round cutting is very difficult more in scale N than scale HO

[@jo-bahn8737]

Unfortunately there is only an icon for one thumb up ....

[@Chandwell]

Haha - thank you!

[@doctormo]

One warning I would give to anyone considering a cricket cutting machine: Maybe don't. They've been doing some odd things where you are forced to subscribe to an online account in order to send inkscape files from your computer, to your cutting hardware. In the open source community we call this "taking the piss" and would warn anyone off buying any device that doesn't let you send files directly to the machine without the internet. Obviously this isn't advice for Michael, his cutting machines are entirely hand made 😉

[@Chandwell]

So many firms seem to be doing similar at the moment. It is bad news.

[@fatbarry2000]

I can't wait for this to be complete so Britney Scroggins can give us the run down of how many murders or other incidents have taken place in 'Club Passion' (would the trend for 'cleverly' turning one of the 's's round to make a 'heart' shape ('Pasƨion') ever have been a thing, or is that from a later time?) and/or 'Ben's Beds'!

[@Chandwell]

Love the logo idea, but too late as I have settled on one that is printed behind the windows. I saw Britney yesterday as it happens, and she has agreed to film a special in the next few weeks!