Control Panels and Buildings - October 2020 Update - Chandwell N Gauge Layout

[@pauljames9626]

Hi Michael. Using a grid to plot the points of the control panel trackwork, then snapping the node adjustment handles to the grid to get even curves is an inspired idea. It looks like I'm going to have to re-do mine, but thanks to you, I now know how to do it properly! As for the factory name, there was a time when every small factory in the country was called either "Invicta Works" or "Alma Works", but I'm going for "Ironbridge Works", given that it's fairly close to the iron bridge section of your viaduct. Thank you for posting - I learn something new every time I watch this series.

[@Chandwell]

Hi Paul - thank you for your comments. I am pleased that this series is inspiring and/or useful for you. Thank you also for the suggestion of building name. I will add it to the pot. :) -- Michael.

[@chrishodge8159]

Hi Michael. Great work so far. The solution for hiding the joins between the paper platform surfaces is to instead of cutting a hard edge with a scalpel and butting them together, but to rip one sheet as a ragged edge by ripping away from the printed surface so that you have a feathered edge to the sheet. This can then be stuck over the end of the previous sheet and blended in. If done properly the join is virtually invisible. Regards Chris

[@Chandwell]

Thank you, Chris. That sounds like it will take practice, but I think I will give it a go. I am going to re-do the platform tops as I am just not happy with them at the moment. So your suggestion may well be timely! :) Thanks again! --Michael

[@peterkemsley]

Have been trying to design my own control panel in Inkscape, your video was just what I needed. Thank you.

[@Chandwell]

Glad it was helpful!

[@MossdaleNGaugeRailway]

Thanks for the platform build demo, I will rewatch it when I finally get up the courage to replace mine. My platform is one of the oldest parts of the layout, and I don’t like it but it will be a big job to change it. I like your control panel designs, spent many hours looking a full size signalling diagrams and yours capture the spirit of them.

[@Chandwell]

Thank you! Yes, I love looking at signal box diagrams. I would love to have a giant prototypical one for my layout on the wall one day. --Michael.

[@jdmodels1968]

Great video, having watched, I've just downloaded Inkscape to do the signalling diagram for my own layout.

[@Chandwell]

Brilliant! Let me know how it goes or if you have any questions.

[@davestrains6816]

The build looks great. Interesting video, really enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing. Dave

[@Chandwell]

Glad you enjoyed it Dave! --Michael.

[@Elvenhome]

Good to see the update Michael. I know you say that you only use simple shapes, but it is the way they are used that makes all the difference. Using three copies of the same shape at different widths and colours to achieve the effect would not readily occur to most of us. Stephen

[@Chandwell]

Thank you Stephen! I hope that these occasional titbits are of use to people. I think when you use a technique over-and-over, it becomes second nature and you miss the fact that it was something learned. I'm really concentrating on getting this building finished before my next video so that I can unveil the name of the building, whatever my children choose! I've had some good suggestions already. --Michael.

[@Rule1ModelRailways]

Great technique on the scale scenes platforms. I gave up and used Peco edging and shaped it along the edges of the rails with boiling water to heat and bend it in the end!

[@Chandwell]

Thanks Nick. Your platforms are beautiful - I've watched those videos a few times. Nice also to see you on "Two to Watch" this week! :) --Michael.

[@wamgoc]

Great video Michael! Thanks for sharing!

[@Chandwell]

Thanks for watching!

[@georgebono8655]

Hi Michael, love the layout and inkscape stuff. Please do a tutorial on the control panel I have 2 large staging yards to do. Also really liked the forced perspective backdrop bit.

[@Chandwell]

Hi George. I will add that to the list! Michael

[@supercharger1958]

Hey young dude , invisible joins in paper are easy to do by not butt joining but by cutting the join by overlapping the paper then cut a the join at an angle 45° or more with a squiggly line freehand with a sharp scalpel with the blade practicaly flat like filleting a fish , you then have an awsome join , its how celluloid film was joined many moons ago by scraping the overlap with an acetate splicer , and we joined photos together by the method ive told you for the still boxes at front of house displays , it takes practice but youll be pleased by the results...im an school cinema projectionist...😗

[@Chandwell]

Thank you Jim! (Not going to say hey old dude!) I’ve not heard of that technique before. I did overlap the two pieces and cut them straight to get a good butt join but the technique you mention sounds much better. It does sound challenging (keeping the knife at such an angle) but I am going to give it a go. This is been a great suggestion - thank you! -Michael

[@trevorward3016]

Hi Michael, I really appreciate the time and effort you put into the control panel section of this month's Chandwell video, it was more than I could have hoped for. I've already made a start, and some mistakes, but that's how we learn isn't it? I have my platforms to build yet so your take on them will also be useful. I'll send you pics of the end result when I'm happy with it and once again, thank you. Regards, Trevor

[@Chandwell]

Hi Trevor, I am so pleased you found this useful. I will always take time to answer any questions you may have, so if you get stuck or just want some advice, please ask! Good luck, and I can’t wait to see what you achieve! -Michael

[@Miertreg1]

Great nice video 👍🙋🏻‍♂️ Greetings Gert

[@Chandwell]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@PrideParkway]

Hi Michael, great update. The control panel looks fantastic, I might try that when I get round to creating my own. I had the same issue with platform surfaces , in the end I painted over them using sponges to tie it all together and then used SMS platform edging to tie it together. Sorry I’m not great at names, but I’ll take my dogs name as it’s similar to the original building name and suggest ‘Hercules House’ 😂 Rubbish I know! All the best, Geoff

[@Chandwell]

Thanks Geoff! Great idea re the platform tops. I may give it a go. I don't suppose you made a video of that did you? I can't remember watching one if you did. Great idea with Hercules... The prototype building was "Spartan Works", so "Hercules House" is in a similar style. I will submit it to the judges, but I won't tell them it's a dog's name as that would give you a very unfair advantage! :) Stay Safe Geoff --Michael.

[@PrideParkway]

@@Chandwell haha definitely tell the judges :). Yes it was back in March, here it is, there might be something useful in the video for you kzbin.info/www/bejne/d2O8aaeHiq97g9U Oh and keep an eye out for my next video tomorrow, it includes a competition :)

[@Chandwell]

Thanks Geoff. I will take a look. Looking forward to the competition!

[@WarwickRoadAndy]

You could draw another line further up the platform and colour wash the surface between in black to look like a newly resurfaced section. Or a line either side to show a resurfaced trench across the platform to show installation of a new electric sign or lamp post?

[@Chandwell]

Hey Andy - I really like the idea of the freshly-installed lamp post. That will be getting used! Thank you! --Michael.

[@WarwickRoadAndy]

​@@Chandwell Michael, Not a problem, glad to help. As a street lighting manager I would prefer a lighting column :-) If you need any advice on placing signs, road markings, traffic lights or street lighting just shout as that's the day job. Although N is not my scale, your channel is in my top 10 and move sharpest when a new vlog appears, love the 'how to' explanation throughout, especially the use of Inkscape. Keep up the great work.

[@Chandwell]

That’s great to know, Andy. I fear it may be a while until I need streetlighting advice, but road markings may be soon! I will definitely ask you before making a start on anything! Thank you. -Michael

[@LaytonJunction]

very nice work as always very enjoyable stay safe and well cheers for now al 👍🙋‍♂️😁😁

[@Chandwell]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@mainlinerailfan899]

Excellent layout update with some nice editing! Liked and subscribed! I personally use Adobe In Design for designing my track plan as I am a graphic designer and hav access to the advanced prices of software. However, it is very difficult and takes a long time to learn. Ink Scape all pears to be much more approachable and user friendly. I do appreciate that you did a great job using good design principles on your control panel! Very well done. My building name suggestion, “Docklands”.

[@Chandwell]

Thank you! From a graphic designer, I very much value your comment. I'm not a designer by any means (I am a software architect, so not known for artistic flair!). Please always feel free to offer suggestions if you spot anything that I am doing wrong, or could improve on, as I am entirely self-taught through nothing other than trial-and-error. Thanks for the name suggestion, I will pass it to the Town Planning department (my children!) for consideration. :) --Michael.

[@russfleischman3158]

I'm enjoying your build series. How about the "Locke, Downe and Sons Building"? russ

[@Chandwell]

Russ - an inspired choice of the moment. I will send it to the judges and see what they think! :) Thank you for commenting, and I am really pleased you're enjoying the series. Any questions for my upcoming Q&A video, please just send them my way. --Michael.

[@CTRL_SMarcos]

Thanks for the video, interesting as always. Regarding the name of the building, I will refrain from suggesting one because of the lack of knowledge of the historical and geographical context 😀 🚂 Sorry for the mistakes.

[@Chandwell]

What mistakes!? Thank you again for all of your comments on my videos. I really appreciate it. -Michael.

[@trevorward3016]

Regarding your platform tops, are you going for a Tarmac or a paved top? If Tarmac, have you considered using very fine wet and dry paper which you can get in 3m rolls so no joins. Amazon do a 400 grit at, I think 115 MM. wide, but yout local paint shop may be a better place to start.

[@Chandwell]

That's a good idea. I will look into that.

[@johngomersall6718]

I hope you don't me asking - what font did you use in inkscape for the control panel. Its one area I struggle with as i begin to use inkscape. Very informative as usual.

[@Chandwell]

I don't mind at all, John. The "CHANDWELL" at the top is Open Sans, and the rest of the panel uses Gill Sans MT.

[@supercar-junction]

Love the video keep it up

[@Chandwell]

Thank you very much indeed! :)

[@heli-man-]

I would have to do that again with balsa wood or plastic card it’s just not sharpe enough like some of your other work

[@Chandwell]

Have you seen the completion of the platforms in this video? I think they’ve turned out quite good. Well, good enough for me anyway, who has no skill at all in cutting wood or working with plastic card! 😂 kzbin.info/www/bejne/n4rClJuXqqyIiNk

[@NicholassTrainChannel]

Nice update Michael the platform tops look great and just one question does inkscape cost anything to download or not. cheers and all the best. Nicholas.

[@Chandwell]

Thanks Nicholas. They're not perfect, but there have been some good comments with suggestions on how I can improve. Inkscape is open source which means it is completely free to download and use. Give it a go! It can be daunting at first, but after a bit of playing you should get some results.

[@chrisderby986]

Wow! This is absolutely amazing! I wish I was good enough with computer software to create a control panel like that! If I sent you my diagram do you fancy the challenge of making a proper colour diagram?

[@Chandwell]

Thank you very much Chris! Sadly, I think with my three kids, work, and Chandwell, I won't have time to do a control panel for you! :) But take your time with Inkscape. It is an incredibly powerful tool. All the best --Michael.

[@RoamingAdhocrat]

ok sorry if you're gonna name a building how can you pick any name other than Four Seasons Total Landscaping

[@Chandwell]

Oh god yes!!

[@sinistregoth]

I was going to suggest that as the original was the Sparta Building it should be Leonardis, and make it number 300, but i conceed FSTL wins the internet for me! 👍😀

[@mainlinerailfan899]

This man is a genius !

[@bobainsworth5057]

Chambers Works.

[@Chandwell]

Thank you Bob! Unfortunately, the Works building has already been named. The winning entry was "Ironbridge Works". Thank you for your comment, and for watching. --Michael.

[@bobainsworth5057]

@@Chandwell Great name.

[@stevescaniasorenson5872]

Hi name the building chandwell inkworks

[@Chandwell]

I love that suggestion. Ties it all together really well.

[@RoamingAdhocrat]

@@Chandwell This possibly fits the style of the building better than a landscaping supplies place

[@supercar-junction]

Pepperton junction pub Pepperton office Pepperton apartment Pepperton tower

[@Chandwell]

Hahah! :D