Scratch building a factory from cardboard in N scale for my N gauge model railway

[@MartinFutter70]

Ironbridge Works turned out very nice indeed 👌

[@Chandwell]

It certainly did! Thank you.

[@richardswallow1967]

Enjoy your videos, so keep them going.....👍

[@Chandwell]

Thank you Richard! I have a good one coming at 10:00 this morning for you to enjoy! :)

[@TedConnell-x2o]

Superb series, thankyou.

[@Chandwell]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@RoamingAdhocrat]

Nice. "Four Seasons Total Landscaping" was very much of its fifteen minutes, in retrospect :D

[@Chandwell]

It still made me laugh though!

[@Linda_Eskin]

Beautiful work, and great tips! I’m looking forward to trying some of your techniques.

[@Chandwell]

Thanks so much!

[@andrewretallick4614]

Lovely looking building (can industrial buildings be lovely? Yes why not😁). Top work! Andrew Retallick 🙂👍

[@Chandwell]

Thank you Andrew. Yes, industrial buildings certainly can be lovely! I think this will be the first of many on Chandwell.

[@pault1289]

Great suggestions and ideas here, thank you for sharing and explaining how you built it.

[@Chandwell]

Thank you!

[@dave3301]

more detail on wrapping the windows, the slots everything, Thanks for sharing

[@Chandwell]

Hi Dave and thank you! There are lots of other videos that show similar things from different points of view, so have a look through some of the later videos. If there's anything specific you would like to see, let me know and I will incorporate it into a future video. Michael

[@dave3301]

@@Chandwell I would really love to see more details on the window aspects, the complete assembly, the wrapping, cutting all of it. Very Interested.

[@JPoulAndersson]

Very nice piece of scratchbuilding, particularly as regards is it in N scale which makes everything so much more fiddly! :-) Rgds, Joachim

[@Chandwell]

Thank you, Joachim! Yes, I'm always amazed by just how small N scale is, especially when doing the smaller bits of this build. --Michael.

[@raymondleggs5508]

Even better than the old J.F. Schreiber-Bogen and builder plus cardstock kits!

[@Chandwell]

Thank you.

[@lilchris26]

I am amazed at the level of detail fantastic mate.

[@Chandwell]

Thank you!

[@mattiasfagerlund]

Nice build! You should probably pick you up some lighter gauge wire for your LEDs, those seem over-killish and hard to easily hide? Not much current runs through LEDs, so you don't need the same capacity as for the train tracks...

[@Chandwell]

Thanks for the tips! I started to use copper tape in later buildings, and that has made a big difference. --Michael

[@olivier2553]

Instead of lighting every room, you could open some communication doors and let the light slip from one room to the other. That may make some interesting variations in the light. I just discovered your channel and am binge watching!

[@Chandwell]

Cool idea! That is something I will try the next time I am lighting a building. Thank you for your kind words, and welcome to Chandwell! :)

[@roberttemple8462]

I say Michael, that's turned out rather good. I like the boarded up window idea, very effective. Look forward to the 1,000 subs edition, regards Bobby 'T'.

[@Chandwell]

Thanks Bobby 'T'! 👍 The boarded up window adds a little bit of personality, and was easy to do! Thank you for noticing! :) --Michael.

[@davestrains6816]

fantastic build. looks very realistic. Small details really pop the build. Thanks for sharing. Dave

[@Chandwell]

Thank you Dave. I really enjoyed adding the little details.

[@thegrowler-blackwoodngauge]

Hi Michael - what a superb building - you should be immensely proud. Fits in perfectly. For the triangular bit of ground there are buildings on the approach to Leeds station that are odd shaped. Cheers Euan

[@Chandwell]

Hi Euan - thanks as ever for the comment! I am proud of how this building has turned out. Good shout re Leeds. I've looked at the buildings alongside Leeds station a few times. They have some buildings REALLY close to the viaduct, and that inspired the siting of this Works building, funnily enough. I have my eye on a curved-fronted hotel for a different part of the layout based on the one opposite Leeds station. I didn't think to look for inspiration for this odd shaped bit of ground though, so I think I will spend some time with Google Maps this weekend! I have some books on the history of the railway around Leeds too, so I think I will have a look in those as well. -- Michael.

[@NicholassTrainChannel]

Hi Micheal that looks really good nice little walk through on how you built it. Cheers and all the best. Nicholas.

[@Chandwell]

Thank you Nicholas! I really enjoyed this build and I am enjoying embedding it into a riverside scene even more now! Still can't quite decide on what to do opposite it yet though! :)

[@pebblesthecat3625]

This was a fantastic video on building and adding details to a small sized building. I learned so much so I've subscribed. If all of your videos are of this quality I'm going to really enjoy binge watching all your excellent productions.

[@Chandwell]

Thank you! I’m really pleased you liked this video. Welcome to Chandwell. I think you will find other things to watch here. If you enjoyed this video, may I suggest this one next... another small building with interesting details... kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZpjPlXhorJyDidE Thank you for watching! Michael.

[@ProspectorsGhost]

Now that's a great job. I had thought of using the same method to make buildings, but have given that idea up as the ink cartredges for my printer are $70.00 (U.S.), a set and is generally gone within a few minutes if I print off very many sheets and gone even more quickly if I print off those type of pages depicting a building such as a house etc.. At that price I can't afford to keep purchasing new ink cartredges every few days on low fixed income retirement wages. It would cost a king's ransom just to try and make a small town, city etc.. So I'm tinkering with the idea of maybe just making buildings out of thin styrofoam sheets like foamcore poster board and then trimming them in cerieal box cardboard and after assembly just paint them with cheap acrylic paints. At least foamcore poster board is about $1.50 to $3.00 each per sheet, and cheap acrylic craft paints are less than a dollar for a 2 ounce bottle. They may not be the most realistic in detailing as paper printouts would be or are, but they would at least possibly resemble a house or building after being assembled and painted. The reason I haven't done so already is because I'm still trying to figure out how to make the window and door cutouts as small as they have to be in N-Scale size and keep them square (or rectangular), in shape without ruining them - Maybe drill the hole out with a drill bit and then shape the square corners with the tip of an x-acto knife, or figure out how to make a square metal cutter blade of that size with something from my workshop.

[@Chandwell]

Printer ink is my only real cost when making buildings like this. It's very expensive, but I do manage to get a couple of months' building out of them. yes, square cuts in foamcore sound like a challenge. I've not used it myself, so don't really know what to suggest in addition to what you have already come up with.

[@tonyhancock8479]

Hi Michael, you are very skilled modeler and I love the videos. Might I suggest a pub for the vacant space. Back in the day there was a big drinking culture with workers. And if you think of Leeds in particular there are some grand pub buildings which would be impressive enough to fill the space. This would mean it wasn't "just another" (no disrespect) industrial building and I don't think out of place at the end of the street. It would of course have to be a Tetley Leeds pub. Best wishes and stay safe. PS. My inkscape teach myself course is coming on slowly so thank you for introducing us to it.

[@Chandwell]

Thank you for your kind words, Tony! Yes - a pub is a great idea, and I think it will fit the location really well. I can't quite decide yet whether to go for a grand pub/inn or "just another" industrial building (and I took no offence or disrespect - I know what you mean!). If I did the pub, I may base it on the Adelphi in Leeds if you know it, as it was in a similar kind of location (and it's a Tetley house too!). It would be a challenge to get its ornamental bits done in N scale though!

[@jeanbonnefoy1377]

@@Chandwell it appears it will be The Weir pub 🍻🍺👍🤭

[@Relaxingvideos173]

Great video thank you so much for sharing.

[@Chandwell]

Thank you!

[@jasonpierce-newmodelbarmy3394]

Nice work, I take my hat off to you card scratch builders, I've only used it once and vowed to stick to plasticard as I find it more forgiving!! Well done for nearing the 1000 subscriber mark, I'm only 11 away from it myself now.

[@Chandwell]

Thank you Jason. Can't believe I am nearing 1000 subs. I never thought I'd reach that number. I am proud to be one of your 990, and hope to see you get that next ten in the near future! With layouts and buildings like you do, you deserve a whole lot more. (I absolutely love the control on Brooking Vale Brewery, by the way!) :) --Michael.

[@jasonpierce-newmodelbarmy3394]

@@Chandwell I've really enjoyed visiting your channel Michael, you have an excellent methodical approach with your layout progress. I always liken the build process to a game of chess, in that our moves have to be planned carefully in order that we don't paint ourselves into corners, you're on the way to becoming a Grand Master I reckon. Keep up the great work.

[@TheHeritageLine]

Hi Michael, I really enjoyed the conclusion of this build and the detail that went into it. I really hope you do more buildings this way showing from start to finish, I loved the whole concept from Inkscape to mock up, to the actual building. For the space opposite my first thoughts was a pub but thinking about it, I feel the building will be a similar height to the building you have just made, so my thoughts now is an Inn so that you could have rooms above the pub for lodgers which would have probably happened when the Ironbridge works first started! Stay safe! All the best Tony

[@Chandwell]

Thank you Tony. It's great to see the end of this building! I still have all of the Inkscape steps saved ready to make into at least two more episodes of that series, so this isn't the last you will see of it! The Inkscape step-by-step videos are not actually all that popular though, so motivation sometimes wanes when I think of the effort each video requires to make. But fear not - I will complete the series! Comments like yours keep me going :). Yes, I like the idea of a tall Inn. Someone else suggested one based on the Black Friar in London which is an excellent wedge shape just like the area I have to fill. But I am also tempted with a riverside yard of some type. There have been so many good suggestions. I am waiting for inspiration to strike! Thanks again Tony. Till next time! --Michael.

[@Thorpedo619]

This is awesome :) you've given me some really good ideas and whilst I don't model in N scale, I think I can use similar techniques for the larger scales :)

[@Chandwell]

Thank you Matt. I’m pleased you found something in here. You may like to check out my Pub/Inn video too, as there’s some different techniques in that one. Cheers! Any questions, just ask. Michael.

[@Thorpedo619]

@@Chandwell you’re welcome :) and thanks. I’m thinking of experimenting with possible windows that are partly open. Another idea I’m having is to test techniques with windows and doors by making some small walls then make a full model when I get a technique down.

[@exehavenharbour]

Hi Michael, brilliant scratch build, the building looks perfect in it’s setting. Detailing in N gauge is tricky, I’m just building the Scalescenes medium station, the window sills etc. Are incredibly fiddly but really worthwhile. I have given up on cutting out the ‘V’ cuts on the station canopy Valencing though it’s just too small!!!! I bought some laser cut valencing from N-Scenic in the end! A warehouse perhaps with a small dock by the river might be good in that space. I’m sure in my travels I have seen odd shape warehouses in a city setting. Excellent video as usual Michael, looking forward to the next one, cheers for now John

[@Chandwell]

Thank you John! Sometimes a laser-cut component is the right choice! Can’t wait to see your station. I’m torn between a warehouse and a pub. I’m not sure there is space for a dock between the two bridges but I think a dock on the other side of the river may work nicely. Not for a few years yet though! Thanks for watching and commenting - all the best -Michael.

[@michaelfleming4613]

Hi Michael great model. I'm interested to know how you tiled it - in the video you say 'the roof just needs tiling', but how did you do this as it looks very realistic - or it on one of your other videos? Please let me know, thanks.

[@Chandwell]

Hi! I use Scalescenes downloadable textures for the tiles. These are cut into strips and then added individually, one overlapping the previous. I show the process in more detail in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a3jEk62ciNqVeMU

[@johnfenney2493]

The Ironbridge works turned out great. I love all the extra details that you added to the build. Well done. How about a triangular building to fit opposite, something like the black friar pub in London. I googled it and although a little intricate, it could be ‘amended’ to suit a riverside location and higher than the railway bridge. Thanks for sharing your progress and your modelling process.

[@Chandwell]

Thanks John - I really enjoyed adding the extra little details. I had a look at the Black Friar - and what a building! Something like that would really work in the space, and it would suit the style/size I had in mind. I can't decide between a pub/inn or a warehouse/river-loaded-building/yard. I'm still mulling it over, but I do love that Black Friar! :)

[@paulelliott3839]

Have you thought about a canal instead of a river then you have some more options for industrial buildings, Goods yards, Mill, Crane for loading boats etc, etc. Perhaps a lock and its workings? Can also do a narrow boat perhaps? Loving the vids, keep them coming :)

[@Chandwell]

Hi Paul - yes, a canal has crossed my mind, especially recently on the back of all of the excellent suggestions I have had. I like the idea of the crane and the narrow boat. I'm being put off though by a couple of things. The space for the river is quite wide. The iron arch bridge is already fixed at the width I made it, so a narrow canal under it may look strange, especially if there's a lock in the mix. I'm intending to go for a grimy bricked-in river like the Sheaf that runs through the industrial part of Sheffield, but we'll see what eventually comes out.

[@CTRL_SMarcos]

Excellent! Thank you very much for the video. The small details, although not very visible, take the final result to another level.I had imagined, although I don't know if it would be credible in context, some kind of large billboard. But I like Brian Tozer's idea of the covered walkway much better. Thanks again, I enjoy these videos 🏠 🚂

[@Chandwell]

Thank you! Those tiny details really do lift the overall building and make it look very convincing - I was very happy with how they worked. I love the idea of the billboard - perhaps one with the paper falling off - really dirty and in bad condition. It would combine well with other suggestions such as the partially-demolished building, or the coal yard. Thanks for your comments, I really enjoy getting them. All the best --Michael.

[@johnholden8872]

Love watching your work I’m a oo gauge man and wondering if this is still possible to use in oo .

[@Chandwell]

Yeah you can use these techniques in OO John. Check out Liam's channel over at Deansbury Town. He uses similar techniques to me but in OO.

[@paulhearn9632]

Loving your presentation, explanations and attention to detail and working my way through all of your videos. Keep it up buddy, for me, you're doing a great job. Top effort 👍👍

[@Chandwell]

Thank you Paul! I hope you find my other videos interesting and/or entertaining too. It is amazing how far the layout (and my video editing ability) has come on over the last year! Thanks for the comment - much appreciated! --Michael.

[@jamesphillips1006]

Great to see the completed building. Absolutely superb. Wondering how you mark the window openings for the final external skin? Could see that you make a vertical slit and then fold/glue inside. As for the space opposite - some form of large advertising hoarding with rubble/ruin/wasteland behind?

[@Chandwell]

Thank you James. I do like the advertising hoarding idea, but I fancy something a bit taller than the viaduct, so not sure which way I will go yet. I’ll record a piece that explains the windows. I actually changed the way I did them part-way through the build, so I will show you both ways. Thanks for watching! -Michael.

[@roncarter5532]

Hi Michael, stunning building, wish I had the patience to do the same lol. With regards to the small plot opposite, what about something to do with the river? A small off loafing point, perhaps disused and a bit run down ?

[@Chandwell]

Thank you Ron. Yes, there is definitely patience required for a building like this. Funny that I don't have much patience "in real life", yet can spend ages pottering on with fiddly bits of card buildings! I like the idea of the off-loading point - thank you. I am not sure if there would be space between the two bridges for a dock, but I'm giving it some thought. Definitely would need to be run down and overgrown though - I do like that idea, and it would fit right in with Chandwell. --Michael.

[@davidspottiswoode3831]

Goodness! I think you might have converted me to card structures!

[@Chandwell]

They can be really time consuming, but I think the effect can be worth it. I'm really pleased with how this one has turned out!

[@aaamodeltrainsandplanes3774]

Awesome just subscribed ! What printer are you using I am shopping around for one and don't know what to get ? Laser jet or inkjet 🤔 . Thankyou for the vid and awesome job you did !

[@Chandwell]

Thank you very much! This video here explains my printer and materials: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y4LZlYF8iLlqjbc Good luck! Michael

[@Cookerylessons]

Hi Michael, You've got four layers of card for the building's structure. Could you share what each one comprises in terms of card and thickness please? Many thanks and loving your work (also deeply envious)

[@Chandwell]

Thank you! This is a tricky question as I made this building almost four years ago... My current method describing all the layers is described in the first couple of minutes of this one - maybe that will help? kzbin.info/www/bejne/jIjKZ5ewmbZ3ga8

[@Cookerylessons]

@@Chandwell Very useful, thank you.

[@bandk2000]

Quite a lot of mill works around yorkshire/lancashire had buildings seperated by a road such as yours. They were connected by a covered walkway at the second or third floor. Maybe you could consider that?

[@Chandwell]

That's a great idea. I'd not considered that, and it may make for an interesting take on the building. I know a good prototype not far from where I live. I will give that some thought - thanks for the suggestion.

[@SevenWelt]

Great the video👍

[@Chandwell]

Thank you!

[@neilarnold6077]

Wow!! Fantastic...Had a go at inkscape (it's great by the way) and after reviewing video lots and lots started to get the basics (no problem with the tutorials -- just me and technology!!) But seeing the finished building is amazing..well done..brilliant. Will persevere...as the results are just...Wow. One thing I was interested in knowing. was how you made the 'girders' on the iron bridge appear like girders and not just a 'flat' piece of paper? Great work. Thanks for sharing and the inspiration, cheers, Neil.

[@Chandwell]

Thank you, Neil! I am really pleased that you're getting something out of my tutorials, and that you liked the end result. I will record a section that answers your question about the girders; there are a few tricks that really make the girders look 3D. --Michael.

[@WheelchairGuyHobbyChannel]

When you say the wall is made from “a half millimeter of card”, what is the material the card is made out of?

[@Chandwell]

Hello. The material itself is called card. It’s essentially thick paper. Half-millimetre card is like the stuff that breakfast cereal is packed in. It also comes in thicker types. It’s sometimes called greyboard. There are details in this video and links to each thing in its description. I hope this helps. Scratch building with card - tools and materials kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y4LZlYF8iLlqjbc

[@richardmartin1772]

Hi Michael. Been watching your vids on how you built the Ironworks building . Really interesting and great results. Based on that I've downloaded Inkscape to have a go myself. Just a couple of questions, I notice that on the outside of the building you use 2 x 1mm layers of card. would it be easier to use 1x 2mm layer of card. and also you say you get your card from eBay. I can see 1mm card on the site but I cant see 0.5mm card, could you point me in the right direction where to find that.

[@Chandwell]

Thank you! This video is really old and some of my techniques have evolved a bit, but essentially it's all the same. I use 2 layers of 1mm card as I sandwich my window frames between them. Otherwise I would have a window sill a scale foot deep which is a bit too much. In my more recent builds I sometimes only have 0.5mm depth. Please see this video here - the Description has links to all the materials I use, including the card. (It's 500 micron greyboard). kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y4LZlYF8iLlqjbc

[@steverileyretired]

just found your channel and subscribed, For the triangular bit of ground what about a bank like the HSBC in 28 Borough High St, London SE1 1YB if you use goodle maps

[@Chandwell]

Thank you Steve - that's an excellent example of a triangular building. It's curved around the thin end too which will make a nice challenge. This is an especially good example as you can clearly see the roof detail on Google Maps too. Thank you - this is a really helpful idea! -- Michael

[@Elvenhome]

Good to see the completion of the building and the end result looks very good indeed. Really impressed with the final building and the look into the rooms with the lighting. Scratch building especially at N scale is demanding but the end effect is both unique and very rewarding. i was wondering about your building for the odd space, whether it could be a building that was once supplied from the river? That would allow an odd shape perhaps above the road level but a different arrangement below. Stephen

[@Chandwell]

Hi Stephen - thank you for your kind words. I am really pleased with how the building came out, but those LEDs are well and truly glued in there, so if/when they give up, they're not going to be fixed! Quite a few commentors have suggested a yard or building supplied from the river. There were loads of examples of this kind of thing on the section of river in Sheffield which was an inspiration to me. I was wondering if there's space between my two bridges, but the more I think about it, the more I think there is. I am currently torn between warehouse/yard or pub/inn. Dereliction and advertising hoardings have also been suggested, and they all have their merits. I like your idea of the upper/lower arrangements being different. Watch this space, I guess! --Michael.

[@Wickford_N_Gauge]

Hi Michael, “Ironbridge Works” looks absolutely stunning 😍 magnificent work 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 As always the video was enlightening and entertaining 🤩 Looking forward to seeing how you build the “Toblerone” building next 🤔😂😂😂😂 Very best wishes from County Wicklow ☘️

[@Chandwell]

Thank you Paul! I am over the moon with how it has panned out! I’m working on the riverside part while I ponder “The Toblerone”! -Michael.

[@pauljames9626]

Hi Michael. What a fabulous build the old "Spartan Works" turned out to be! I love the effect of the lintels, sills and soldier courses on what would otherwise be a plain expanse of brick. I just have to know how you got the "stained" effect on the lintels and sills - I'm guessing you used different layers in Inkscape and "painted" the stains on at a different opacity to the base layer? A five minute tutorial on that would make an old man very happy!. As for the odd space, have you thought of trying a partly demolished building? Perhaps in the same architectural style as "Ironbridge Works"? You could then have a square edge towards the river and road with the triangular shaped space being filled with rubble and demolition equipment. Another great video and thank you for posting. Stay safe.

[@Chandwell]

Thank you Paul! I was pleasantly surprised by how much those elements really lifted the overall look of the building. I'm sorry to say that there was no cunning trick with the stained concrete. I just downloaded a "dirty concrete" texture, so it came pre-dirtied. Your suggested approach would work of course. I'd do it in a similar way to how I do graffiti. Ooh, I do like the idea of a partially-demolished building. I could combine that idea with any of the other ideas I have had suggested, although I may make something a bit more of that idea on the other side of the river. Definitely one filed for a centrepiece, and will be a different kind of building challenge. Thank you as ever for your comments - I really appreciate them. Cheers --Michael.

[@mtty1988]

What printer and paper do you use

[@Chandwell]

All the details are in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y4LZlYF8iLlqjbc

[@mtty1988]

I have loads more questions where can I ask you them

[@Chandwell]

You can ask here if they are about the layout. I saw your message on FB messenger but FB is for my personal life, family, etc, so I didn’t respond. Most of your questions were not relevant to what I do - I make buildings from card - and I am not an expert on how many tracks you need, or how to lay out a track plan. I have a full time job and a family so unfortunately cannot give all your questions the time they would deserve. There are many other videos on YT. I learned from them, and RMweb, the Scale Model Scenery club, and magazines. My main piece of advice when it comes to track plan is to find a real-life example of the kind of station you want. I chose Bradford Forster Square and that is what turned into Chandwell.

[@PrideParkway]

Hi Michael, so first up, Hercules isn’t happy 🤣🤣. But I am! The build looks absolutely fantastic, all of those small details are brilliant, right up my street, like you, I always think it’s worth the time to add the detail and it really shows what you can achieve, even in n gauge. Top job! 👍🏻 I have a question for you. What loco or piece of rolling stock would you really like for Chandwell that you don’t currently have, and why? Now as for that space, my first thought was a pub or inn for the workers, alternatively how about some kind of mill, especially as it’s by the river? Keep up the great work! Cheers Geoff

[@Chandwell]

Hercules, I am heartily sorry. Perhaps one day there will be a Hercules building on Chandwell. Maybe I will name a pub after you, and have your picture on the sign. :) Thanks for your kind words Geoff, and the excellent question too! I am currently torn between a mill with river loading and a pub/inn. I will continue to give it thought! --Michael.

[@003Darren]

Hi Michael, a really impressive build. I am keen to follow your Inkscape tutorials to learn the process. I do have a couple of question! I was experimenting downloading a photograph of bricks into Inkscape and managed to blend it onto a shape. Can you let me know how to scale the bricks to n gauge and where do you get your reference textures from? Cheers Darren

[@Chandwell]

Thanks Darren! Great that you're having a go with Inkscape. Check out my "Getting the most from Inkscape" video. Starting at 7m 37s, I explain how I use textures. At 12m 45s I go into detail about how I scale the texture. I will do another spot on this in an upcoming video and show how I use "seamless" textures from textures.com and get them to the right scale. Take a look here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oGWpk52ij7udjsk --Michael.

[@003Darren]

@@Chandwell Thank you Micheal, Much appreciated for your answer to my questions. I look forward to your next video, cheers Darren