Building A OO Gauge Model Railway: The Scratch Build Series 2.1 - Signal Box, The Basic Structure

[@gregoryhale2202]

I take my hat off to people who have the ability to 'Scratch Build` because it is a real art, so I will look forward to seeing further progress on the build of the Signal Box. Congrats. Cheers Greg

[@GalgormHall]

Thank you Greg, hopefully these videos will help demonstrate that anyone can give it a go. Paul

[@johncarvil498]

Enjoying the build Paul, look forward to more.........................John.

[@GalgormHall]

Thank you John. Paul

[@DungeWoodRailway]

Hi Paul Late to watch this video as I'm catching up last weeks videos... Nice video and I think the construction methods are starting to sink into my head at last. It's another one for my How to section, thanks. Cheers Paul

[@GalgormHall]

Thanks Paul, there really is very little variation in the basic construction methods, it’s all about getting the final look right. You really need to give it a go. 😉 Paul

[@DungeWoodRailway]

Hi Paul I have got an idea in my head but we will see how things go, too much on my plate at the moment.. Cheers Paul 👍

[@GalgormHall]

I look forward to seeing it. You know if you need any help or guidance just shout. Paul

[@DungeWoodRailway]

Thanks Paul 😊

[@ModelTrainOutsider]

Spring classes begin for another Master Class in scratch building. 👍

[@GalgormHall]

Your words are always full of generosity Anthony, thank you. Paul

[@ModelTrainOutsider]

@@GalgormHall I am very sincere in praise, and withhold criticism. One of the lessons my grandfather taught me- appreciate and praise those who do what you can not do, and help those whom you can help and teach.

[@GalgormHall]

Anthony, you certainly do both of those. Paul

[@modellbahnjp]

Nice house. It looks fantastic

[@GalgormHall]

Thank you. It’s a signal box though! 😆 Paul

[@TRAMJUNCTION7147HG]

Another brilliat demonstration from you Paul, of this signal box. Scratchbuilding is an art and you have perfected that art. Cheers for now...................................Geoff

[@GalgormHall]

Thank you so much Geoff. I must get a chat with you on trams and their motorising, I have an idea for the town area when I get that far. Paul

[@TONYNORTHEASTERN]

Nice structure Paul, detailing and designing are as you critical before starting out on building any building. i like the way you planed it all out on graph paper first. as you know i have a mega structure to do and that will take many hours just in the planning. some great ideas there. all the best Tony

[@GalgormHall]

Thanks Tony, it’s all in the planning. I find it helps to visualise what the end result will look like and avoids the major gaff of producing something too big or too small. I can’t wait to see you big build under way. Paul

[@TONYNORTHEASTERN]

its going to be a challenge, but a good one.....Tony

[@medwaypeninsulaMR]

Another great build Paul and lots of respect to those who can scratch build …...…...Cheers Kev

[@GalgormHall]

Thanks Kev, hopefully the build may inspire others to give it a go. Paul

[@davekirwin]

Lovely bit of scratch-building Paul. Nicely explained and demonstrated.

[@GalgormHall]

Thank you Dave, really appreciate the comment. Paul

[@ianclough519]

Hi Paul I have enjoyed watching this scratch build, I have not tried to build my own buildings yet but this is the push I needed to start. Thank you

[@GalgormHall]

Hi Ian, so glad it’s given you the impetus to give it a go. Good luck with your build and if you need any help just ask. Paul

[@SchuylkillRiverValley]

Great start to a cool project Paul. Nicely explained - very detailed. Looking forward to following along. Best, John

[@GalgormHall]

Thank you John,,I’m glad it came across well, I was a little concerned the editing would lose some of the narrative. Paul

[@SchuylkillRiverValley]

@@GalgormHall Hi Paul. I'm not on facebook so I can't contact you that way, but I do have something I'd like to discuss with you. If you don't mind, kindly send me an email - my address is on my about page. Thank you. Best, John

[@GalgormHall]

Just checked John, I couldn’t see one. 🤔 Paul

[@SchuylkillRiverValley]

@@GalgormHall It's on the 'About' page, in the 'Details' section, under the description. You just have to click the 'View Email Address' button to prove your not a robot. Thanks Paul.

[@GalgormHall]

Schuylkill River Valley gotcha, the app didn’t have that option. Email imminent. Paul

[@Andy-SharlstonEastgate]

Excellent work Paul !

[@GalgormHall]

Thank you Sharlston. Paul

[@BALD8BIL]

It's always a pleasure to watch you build I look forward to the next video

[@GalgormHall]

Thank you Billy. I hope your back issues are getting better for you and we see some more layout progress soon. Paul

[@BALD8BIL]

@@GalgormHall Thank you very much Paul I'm getting better but I'm still working to improve myself I have a little issues here and there overall getting better I was hoping to get a hundred percent before I started working on the layout again but I may gradually get back into working on it

[@wheezypalacemodels7726]

Another great project I will be glued to, cheers Paul, looking great so far...regards, Chris

[@GalgormHall]

Cheers Chris, always good to have you along. Paul

[@alexhill9169]

Brilliant Paul, I love the design of the signal box. I remember when you said you were going to be making one based on those photos you showed us last year, I was waiting for this build to start. Master at work as always. Alex

[@GalgormHall]

You are too kind Alex. Paul

[@Sandlingjunction]

I have watched and totally enjoyed this new tutorial video chum. Great instruction , and valuable to me and many more. Cheers Paul at Sandling Junction

[@GalgormHall]

Thank you Paul, you’ll be at this stage soon yourself. Paul

[@malcolmhodgson7540]

Great start, looking forward to the rest of the series

[@GalgormHall]

Thanks Mal, long way to go but at least I’ve started. 😆 Paul

[@malcolmhodgson7540]

Galgorm Hall I know the feeling Paul. Still struggling with my row of shops for my town. Just takes so long to do ridge tiles, gutters, down spouts, lintels, shop signs, tv aerials, chimney pots, window sills, etc, etc. It is the little details that take so long. The initial “box” structure is the quick bit. I am really looking forward to seeing the signal box develop.

[@NewJunction]

very nice, really looking forward to this series

[@GalgormHall]

Cheers Richard. 🤗 Paul

[@daviemaclean61]

The start of another great build. I have just started using Roket glue and must say it's a revelation - to think I've been farting about with other stuff and waiting forever for it to dry! Cheers

[@GalgormHall]

Thanks Davie, isn’t Roket glue amazing? I used to spend ages waiting on PVA to go off before I could move on to the next stage. Wait no more. Paul

[@fx1c333]

I've been to modelling shows and had a really great time looking at the models. What gets me is a friend was going through a bad patch so i went around yes he's into lego and I watched him build a house and then goto thinking why doesn't any model maker build jigs for the corners of a build out of lego it'll hold the building sides together when gluing and it can help in those special and fiddly parts of a build. I highly recommend you look at the idea the space in between the knobs is 3.2mm.I built holders on my workbench out of lego to hold tools and when gluing strips I use knex parts and an elastic band. Try it works for me and others. besides that when you have the lego and knex on the bench you think what can I build that will help in making models better. Don't let the grandkids know though.

[@GalgormHall]

Great tips there. I will certainly take a look at it but will have to do it with stealth or the kids will want their Lego back. 😆 Paul

[@fx1c333]

@@GalgormHall Buy your own Poundland sell block which are the equivalent to lego i get mine from bernados etc very cheap and put it in granpas box.hahaha

[@Wickford_N_Gauge]

Another fantastic scratch build Paul, love the sound effects too 🌬 Best Wishes from County Wicklow ☘

[@GalgormHall]

Ha, you heard the wind in the background then. It’s was a rough old night. Thanks as always for the comments. Paul

[@ewoodrailway]

Great modelling

[@GalgormHall]

Thank you Ewood. Paul

[@thebibletrain8297]

Very nice build 👍

[@GalgormHall]

Thank you Gnomestead. Paul

[@turnout999]

Excellent

[@GalgormHall]

Thanks Geoff. Paul

[@Elvenhome]

That is a good looking signal box, Paul. I will need something for High Elven in due course. I will have a think about the adaptations that might be needed to build in N gauge. So far the only one I can think of is not to try to cut the thin strip at the top of the sides, and use, as you suggested you might need to do, some stripstyrene for that. I will be interested to see what windows you are using, because that might be the trickiest bit to copy. Stephen

[@GalgormHall]

I think I’ll be taking the same approach with the strip styrene, those card strips are already quite weak. As to an N gauge version I can see the only issue being the windows. I’ll be using SMS LX146-OO windows. Justin did those for my last box so I’m sure he could scale them down for you. Paul

[@mikewade6019]

Hi Paul, a lovely build, well done. I would like to model the same building. I wonder if you would clarify the overall width of the signal box as shown in the left hand side elevation shown on your drawings. is this 75mm, which would make I think the measurement between the door in the main building side and the lean to 4 mm/ is this correct? thanks

[@pmsteamrailroading]

I like what you are doing. The board you are using is not something I have seen in the USA. Except perhaps as illustration board, but that is expensive. Most of us would use styrene sheet for this. Evergreen is the brand most use, I have a place to buy 4x8’ sheets. (Much cheaper) My glue of choice for most plastic is is a mix of MEK and acetone. (Most of my friends use a commercial product that amounts to the same thing. ) I would have used .125” square strip for the corners instead of the wedges.

[@GalgormHall]

Thank you for your comments PMsteam. Plastic sheet is a perfectly good material to use as well and I have done so in other builds with the use of similar glues to construct. Thanks for watching. Paul

[@TheGameCamer360]

It may well have been covered somewhere I’m missing but what thickness card are you using?

[@GalgormHall]

Hi Aaron, I generally use 2mm mount board for the structures, the same stuff used to mount pictures. Hope that’s of help. Paul

[@owdpotter]

you build some fantastic models . if you were wanting to build a OO gauge Stoke on Trent type bottle kiln how would you go about it ?? I am In the USA by the way and only have pictures and memories :-)

[@GalgormHall]

Hi Martin, thank you. You’ve got me thinking now on those kilns. A very distinctive design and not easy to replicate. It must be possible as I’ve seen them done. I’ll have a think and get back to you if I come up with something. Paul

[@owdpotter]

@@GalgormHall I may have found a way to do it I will let you know how i go on mate ok ? Downloaded a paper kit from ebay resized it and used it asn an template to make the basic shape .I would like to send you some pics can i email them to you perchance ?? martin

[@GalgormHall]

Martin, I’m so sorry, I never did get back to you on this conundrum but I’m glad you’ve maybe got a solution to it. My email is [e-mail] if you’d like to share some photos. Paul

[@owdpotter]

@@GalgormHall I will get some to you of my first attempt

[@sparky107107]

this is turning out really nice. I take it you will paint it and all, before the windows go in. so windows last? is what I am asking

[@GalgormHall]

Thank you Sparky. The windows will be next to get installed in order that they can get primed and painted before the brickwork goes on. The corrugated sheeting at the rear also needs the same treatment so that’ll go on at the same time. Paul

[@exploreendurodiscover8775]

So my head has done a complete brain fart 😂 how would I change this to 7mm o gauge?

[@GalgormHall]

You wouldn’t be far out in measurements or the look of the final piece if you just doubled up the measurements for O gauge, I think! Paul

[@exploreendurodiscover8775]

Galgorm Hall thanks Paul it’s always worth a try! Looking forward to the next build episode

[@garydoc]

Parkside Junction: Hope you don’t mind the message but, here’s a really useful link. I use this all the time with my scratch building. www.scalemodelersworld.com/online-scale-converter-tool.html Un Salud. Gary

[@clivecobbold6815]

Hi Paul another great video mate did you injoy model rail Scotland I understand you met some of are club member at exhibition and you might be comeing the club one night ? Lancaster station is comeing on we'll now I am also refiting my model of the BR sealink carferry Galloway princess for my model of stranraer harhour station at the minute goodbye for now Clive

[@GalgormHall]

Hi Clive, loved MRS, a really enjoyable show. And yes, met a few of the guys from UMRC and had a good chat. What’s more it’s planted a seed for an exhibition layout! Sounds like you are busy with your layout. Paul