Building A Modular Model Railway! - Episode 11: How To Make Platforms

[@tonycritcher3419]

You railway people have the patience of saints. But I applaud your efforts and like to see a railway and all it includes. Amazing work, hats off to you all!

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Haha, thanks Tony! I would say I'm probably quite impatient for a railway modeller as I hate being stuck on one thing for too long. In some areas though a bit of patience does mean you get much better results - the longest part of this video for example was painting all the track at the start. Once that was done the rest of it was completed quite quickly. Glad you enjoyed it though and thanks for watching 😃

[@tonycritcher3419]

@@ThatModelRailwayGuy great results for your hard work! Thanks for sharing it

[@NicholassTrainChannel]

Fantastic job mate. The platforms really do look the part and they really do have that heritage station feel to it. It all turned out really well.- Nicholas.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Thanks Nicholas, really glad you like the platforms. Yeah I think they turned out really well too and they do have a Heritage Railway feel to them. Thanks for watching 😃

[@sodor_dan-da-man]

Fantastic series. Just found and binge watching it. Great idea for the platforms. However as a heritage railway volunteer one observation regarding the platform and the story behind the full layout idea. If a preservation society takes over an old line and have to rebuild the platform they wouldn't put a bend in the platform to follow the single line end especially if the original formation was of double track but restored to single line. To me the bend in the platform destroys the illusion and the "historic" story of a society rebuilding a railway

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

It's a good point but one of the necessary compromises I had to make in order to the get the most out of the station. I wanted to be able to have three coach length trains in either platform and by making it shorter I wouldn't have been able to achieve this. Obviously I'd prefer to have much more space but then I wouldn't be building a modular style layout 😉 Glad you're enjoying the videos though, thanks for watching 👍

[@sodor_dan-da-man]

@@ThatModelRailwayGuy that is a good point but a further possibility could of been to extend the platform on the shed module towards the carriage sidings and widened and had a toilet block at that end with a smaller office block on the ground for "society volunteers". The platforms would then of been sort of zig zagged. Just a thought

[@OstranderD1986]

True. The variations on the platform gives the feel that the station has been been there for several years.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Yep, it just looked far too pristine before I added that black wash to the surface. It also highlighted some of the tiny cracks in the filler too which made it look more realistic. Thanks for watching 😃

[@rileysrailways5735]

Good to see another episode of the modular railway. Looking forward to more updates!

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Thanks Riley, glad you enjoyed it. I'm definitely hoping to make updates a bit more frequent if I can so that should mean more regular videos! Thanks for watching 😃

[@pipafumador]

Muchas gracias por este tutorial de plataformas para andenes de estación. Justo andaba buscando como construirlas. Saludos desde Chile 🇨🇱

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Glad it helped you! Thanks for watching 😃

[@bugler75]

I’ve built dioramas and a military airfield before using similar but different methods. Great to see another approach to building 😊 Thanks, Ian

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Awesome, I think that's one great thing about this hobby (and the wider modelling community in general) is that there's so many different techniques and variations upon those that can be put to good use. Thanks for watching 😃

[@bugler75]

@@ThatModelRailwayGuy 😊👍🏼

[@jameslightfoott]

I'm loving these videos I cant wait to see it finished. Would love to see the live steam mallard running on this

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Thanks James, I can't wait for it all to be finished too! 😂 The plan is to definitely get the Live Steam Mallard running on the layout at some point... if all goes well it''ll happen sooner rather than later. Thanks for watching 👍

[@jeffreysutcliffe1139]

Brilliant way to make realistic platforms well illustrated as usual

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Thanks Jeffrey, really glad you found it useful. Thanks for watching 😃

[@mandbhomestead]

Those techniques are awesome and the platforms turned out great. Thanks for the great tips. Stay safe and thanks for sharing. Ken

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Thanks Ken, I can't claim to have come up with this technique but it does look good and I'm really pleased with how the platforms turned out. Thanks for watching 😃

[@willbreckinridge8010]

I can't wait to see how you add scenery to this module. I love seeing a good station, and I'm going to try some of these techniques when I build my layout.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

I’ve got some ideas in mind for what I want to do. The good thing is I only have a few small electrical jobs to complete on this section before I start on the scenery in earnest so hopefully it won’t be too long now. Thanks for watching 😃

[@mikparker2572]

Absolutely love this ( well,actually,I love all your videos). I’m using your ideas, along with two other specialists, to plan my own first layout( as soon as I can afford to get more track). I’m loving going through your videos as you are very clear with your instructions. Thank you for sharing.👏🏼👏🏼

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Thanks Mik, really glad to hear you're enjoying the videos and that they're helping you with your own layout! Best of luck with the build and thanks for watching 😃

[@adam_fordham]

Excellent video, loved the way you done the platforms, and that wash on top of the platforms really finished them off well, little details like that really brings it to life, well done 👍🏻

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Thanks Adam, yeah the black wash really was the icing on the cake. They looked too pristine before so I knew they needed dirtying up a bit. It looks quite scary adding the wash but it's fine when it dries. Thanks for watching 😃

[@EmperorsPath]

whilst the platforms look great, now that I know you have composed and performed the background music yourself this is the most impressive part to me! well done!

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Haha, thanks! That’s the day job and I consider myself a much better musician than I am a modeller 😂 Thanks for watching 👍

[@pannier1366]

everytime you upload makes that day a good day

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Fantastic, I'm glad to hear it! Thanks for watching 😃

[@lewiscartwright3609]

Hi I thoroughly enjoyed watching your videos as they are very informative and inspirational and I am currently preparing an Express train called the Cathedrals Express which will be Pulled by standard 4mt 4-6-0 No.75006 "Hurricane" and 6233 Duchess and the Railtour Express train is currently undergoing some test runs and is not due to run until the Arrival of the Duchess of Sutherland and I am also getting a Hall class No.6998 Burton Agnes Hall in GWR Green. Keep up the informative and inspiring videos Cheers.Lewis 👍

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed the video and best of luck with the plans for your own trains. Thanks for watching 😃

[@lewiscartwright3609]

@@ThatModelRailwayGuy my pleasure and thank you and I bought 4 wagons today Two refrigeratorated Insulfish vans and a bauxite mineral wagon and a United Dairy tank wagon and I am getting a Hornby Duchess of Sutherland and a Hall class Locomotive and a Horsebox Converter Wagon for my 17th birthday and I am looking forward to opening the Hall class and The Horse box wagon and the Duchess of Sutherland on my

[@davidsheriff8989]

Excellent work and attention to small detail....time well spent

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Thanks David, I really can't wait to get the rest of the scenery done on these modules now! Thanks for watching 😃

[@yoshistark6865]

Really loved the Dalek blueprint in the back of one of the shots ;)

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

I’m glad someone has noticed it 😆 To be honest I’d completely forgotten about that gag with the hairdryer! Thanks for watching 👍

[@Weesel71]

Really nice job. I particularly like the platform edging paver treatments.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Thanks! Yeah the surface did look a bit blank without them. It's a small detail but makes all the difference. Thanks for watching 😃

[@speleokeir]

Another good 'how-to' video. Clear, concise and easy to follow as always. One thing I'd add is to think about the length of your platforms. This depends on two factors: 1) The size of your layout. If you have a small 4' x 6' layout you don't have room for a huge station whereas if you have a large loft layout you can be a bit more realistic. 2) The average size of your coach rakes. Most layouts end up being a compromise between the two. It's possible to create the illusion of a longer platform with a scene break to make it appear that you're only seeing part of the station. One other consideration is whether you want to add things like canopies and/or lighting.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Thanks, this is one of those videos that straddles the line between tutorial and personal layout update! I definitely agree with your points though. For me the station is just about long enough for a tender engine and 3 coaches which doesn't sound like much but even that is quite long. The advantage of it being a modular layout though means I can easily extend the platform lengths in the future should I have the space. Thanks for watching 😃

[@loispadgett6306]

Just found your channel today and enjoyed watching the platforms getting built. Will be new subscriber now. Can't wait for more video's. GOD BLESS from America 🚂💖🚂💖🚂💖

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Thanks Lois, really glad to hear you enjoyed the video and welcome aboard! I try to release a new video every week so there's always stuff happening on the channel Thanks for watching and Subscribing too 😃

[@CheshireLines]

Excellently produced video - thank you !

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Thanks, I do try to make them as easy and enjoyable to watch as possible so that's great to hear. Thanks for watching 😃

[@dibsyardshuntinglayout]

Fantastic video as they always are! Another great material to simulate a tarmac surface is 400 grit paper. The only thing is it does look very new! I have used cheap wall filler for the hard standing on my layout. And like you love the effect of the natural cracks.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Thanks, really glad you enjoyed it! Yes I looked at using sandpaper/grit paper for the surface too although I went with the filler in the end as I just preferred the look of the end result. It does all come down to personal preference though. Thanks for watching 😃

[@TheButters5000]

Fantastic video. I almost freaked out when you used super glue on the polystyrene, it usually melts it. I would also have recommended using a very thin dark paint or ink on the bricks to flow between the gaps and finish with a dry brush. I can't wait to see more of your work and be amazed.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Hi David, there's no polystyrene in this video, just foamboard which is slightly different and has a paper/card backing on each side. That's why it was fine to use the superglue. Yes that's definitely another way to paint the stones, for this though I was essentially building on the technique I'd used for my tunnel as I was really happy with the results I got on that. Thanks for watching 😃

[@leemwilson]

Really good technique. Looks brilliant 👍🏼

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Thanks Lee, glad you think so. Thanks for watching 😃

[@jasonpierce-newmodelbarmy3394]

Nice work. I've found that adding some colour to the filler before it's applied is a useful trick. if the surface gets chipped you don't get the telltale white mark underneath....it also saves some of the painting process. I use foam board a lot on my builds but generally make the structures hollow as I'm too tight to buy extra material lol. This is a great build and your videos are very professionally produced. Looking forward to the next one.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Great tip Jason! The only reason I didn't mix the paint with the filler is that I did it in several stages, so was worried about getting the mix consistent each time. But if you're doing it all in one go that would definitely be the way to do it. As for the foamboard, yeah making them hollow would definitely cut down on materials. In my instance I had two huge sheets of foamboard going spare (I still have most of it left over!) and I wanted the platforms to be absolutely solid for when some idiot (ie: Me) tries to lean on them in the future 😂 Thanks for watching 👍

[@tagsdm]

Howdy That Model Train Guy. Wonderful tutorial on this topic. Though platform for TS are pre-made and used as loft items, the modelers here will thank you for this one, for sure. I was wondering how you were going to do the stone edging, but it came out very convincing. Nice work.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it. Yeah I was really pleased with how the edges came out too. Considering it was a bit of an afterthought it's blended in quite well! Thanks for watching 😃

[@mickedgeleyparkstation5391]

Great video,inspired me to make my own in future.👍

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

That's great to hear Mick! As much as these videos are about sharing my own progress it's always a bonus when it gives someone ideas for their own layout. Thanks for watching 😃

[@LewisLocos]

Thanks for this. I may adopt this idea for my stations. I'm not going to do the curve though as i'm not brave enough 🤣

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Nice, it's definitely one of the easiest ways I found of doing it. It's probably more realistic not to have the curve anyway, I just did that because I wanted to be able to fit at least 3 carriages in the platforms. Thanks for watching 😃

[@andrewwarcup684]

Could use plaster board/drywall. Comes 10mm thick which gives the right height then can paint the surface with a textured paint. The platform edging can be super glued quite easily.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Hey Andrew, yeah you definitely could but the platforms are 20mm high so you’d still need to glue two strips together. The main reason I went for foamboard though is that it’s cheap, easier to cut and of course it’s lighter as well, which is a big consideration for a portable layout like this. Thanks for watching 😃

[@tonyslight826]

Very good indeed.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching 😃

[@pauljenkins685]

When marking and cutting the platform ramps, measure the angle from the fence or railings you have bought to use. you see many who havent done this and the fence then doesnt match the platform angle.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Yes that's definitely something to keep in mind, although not everyone will have fences ready to add when constructing the platforms - I certainly didn't. In that instance you could either leave the ramps unfinished and rework them to the correct height once you've got fences to add. Or do like I did and use laser cut fencing that allows you to adjust the angle of the fence slightly to match your ramp. Thanks for watching 👍

[@1401gwr]

Good help for my model railway 😊😊😊😊❤❤❤❤

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Glad you found it useful - thanks for watching 😃

[@1401gwr]

@@ThatModelRailwayGuyyou are amazing

[@andrewrogers5404]

very good & informative

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Glad you found it useful Andrew, thanks for watching 😃

[@railway187]

Fantastic tutorial 👍

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Really glad to hear you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching 😃

[@benstrainsandthings]

Great job keep the work up !

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Thanks Ben, really glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching and Subscribing too 😃

[@ludicrosity-has-peaked]

18:19 ah yes, the most versatile of tools

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

With a hammer in close second 😆 Thanks for watching 👍

[@kents.2866]

Very cool to see someone make a steam layout. So many American modelers are focused on the 1980s or newer. And it seems to me American modeling companies are turning away from Steam era locomotives and equipment.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

That's really interesting! Here in the UK I'd say there's a pretty good mix of modern and steam layouts but the later is probably more popular given that the general public seem to find steam engines more captivating. Having spent a lot of time at heritage steam railways it's certainly the area I'm most interested in despite never having lived during the age of steam! Thanks for watching 😃

[@kents.2866]

@@ThatModelRailwayGuy Same. I really love the steam era. I want to model around 1905-1910 but it's really hard to do because there is hardly anything ready to run.

[@alancook9586]

Great video. 👍

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Glad you enjoyed it Alan, thanks for watching 😃

[@tobyyy384]

Hello quick question would you know what brand you used for the paving slabs on the edge of the platform ? Thank you

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Hi Toby, it's Slater's Plastikard Paving. The sheets are available from a few model shops online and even Amazon I think. Thanks for watching 😃

[@LetsGo_41]

Hello, excellent video. This is going to be a really handy video to watch back when it comes to making my platforms. Can I ask where you got the long strips of foam board?

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Thanks Tim, really glad you enjoyed it! The foamboard actually came in a huge sheet and I just cut it down into strips before I started filming as it wasn't a very interesting part of the process 😂 Thanks for watching 👍

[@tobyyy384]

Hello can I ask what radios curve you used on the track? Thank you

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Hi there, all the track on the modular layout is flexible track. The curved modules have radius of about 560mm I believe so just under 4th radius. Thanks for watching 😃

[@mewsdo]

I think the uneven platform surface is infinitely better than the 'perfect' alternative. Now, I wonder what is planned for the foundations of the station building... I guess more of the foam board, but will the road/footpath rise to station level or will there be steps or a ramp...? In real life roads seem to match platform level (ie the track is sunken) mostly... or...? Anyway, you've given me some great ideas... thanks!

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Hey Douglas, it's all still to be decided at the moment but I'm thinking the ground behind the station will be raised so it's only just below the platform level with it rising up to meet the station building. It'll then have to fall away to baseboard level for the loco shed and works so it's all about finding a balance to make the gradients seem natural and not too forced. Thanks for watching 😃

[@mewsdo]

@@ThatModelRailwayGuy Sounds like a good idea. More interesting than a flat boring road...

[@scoopet]

I got 800mm in width, is it possible to fit a curve and still run locos. Have some flexible track to play with but don't want to make the corners too tight. What would you recommend? (Using Hornby / OO gauge)

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

800mm is fairly tight but there are layouts out there that take things to the extreme and manage to fit a circuit into around 300mm. Really though it depends what you want from the layout... If you're planning on running short tank engines in a more industrial setting you might be able to get away with it, but big pacifics and other express locos will probably struggle with those curves and they won't look realistic either (although that's not an issue for everyone). Don't forget, there's always the option of building an end to end layout instead if you have length but not much width. Hope that helps and thanks for watching 😃

[@scoopet]

@@ThatModelRailwayGuy Thanks for the quick reply, I've decided to create an end to end layout instead and will use my original board as a yard. Will be taking some inspiration from your videos, and various other sources and can't wait to get started! Thanks for creating these great and very informative videos :)

[@londonbrightonsouthcoast]

2 questions: 1. Is it spelt Plasticard or Plastic Card? 2. Where can I get it?

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Hey there, so to answer your first question it's usually spelt Plasticard... although Slater's call their's Plastikard for some reason - I assume it's a brand thing. I get Slater's plastikard from Kernow Model Rail Centre which seems to be the only place I've found it stocked other than Slater's themselves. There's also Will's moulded brick sheets which are similar (smaller sheets and thicker plastic) which is more commonly available from my experience but harder to work with as a beginner. Hope that helps and thanks for watching 😃

[@danp8967]

Hi. I’ve looked around online and despite finding many different polystyrene options, I cannot seem to find the long ones you are using. Where do you get your strips from ?

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Hi there, I didn't use polystyrene. As I said in the video it's 5mm foamboard which I cut into strips from a large sheet. The original sheet was A0 or A1, I can't which remember exactly except that it was a really large sheet. The 5mm sections were glued together as shown during the video to make up the correct height for the platforms. Hope that helps and thanks for watching 😃

[@danp8967]

@@ThatModelRailwayGuy 🙏🏻Thank you. I’ve just ordered some. Cheers again👍🏻

[@secretlifeofscottthehamste4633]

Love it

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching 😃

[@skelligringphotographyandw7012]

More than 30% views of subscriber numbers, in one day! You're definitely doing something right! Can I ask...what colour is the paint you put on the rails, please?

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

I certainly hope so, especially considering how much the channel has grown this year alone! The paint I used on the rails is Railmatch Sleeper Grime and I've gone over the whole technique in more detail previously in my Basic Ballasting video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b6bdgIKDid93d9k Hope that helps and thanks for watching 😃

[@skelligringphotographyandw7012]

@@ThatModelRailwayGuy Thank you and keep up the great work! :)

[@hctreintje]

Great video !! 🚂😀👍🚉😎. HC Treintje Herman from Belgium. 🚂😀👍🚉😎.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Thanks (from rainy England), so glad to hear you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching 😃

[@lesliewall1764]

re you know, seen a video where fine wet and dry paper is used for roads and platform top's , rough the paper up and when put sown it looks old and well used

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Yes I'd seen people use that technique too. I have to admit I've not been overly impressed with the finished results I've seen so far but I do want to try it out for myself someday. Thanks for watching 😃

[@BobsTrains28]

If You Dont mind What Is The Width Of the station module ?

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Hiya, all of the modules are 50cm to fit the standard endplate. Thanks for watching 😃

[@BobsTrains28]

@@ThatModelRailwayGuy thanks

[@citroeno]

where did you get the brick effect from

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Hi there, it's Slater's Plastikard. They have a great range of different brick patterns in all different scales - this was actually an 0 Gauge stone effect. Thanks for watching 😃

[@sebwilkins]

Where did you get the more detailed LNER teaks from?

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Hey Sebastian, they’re from Hornby! They did these latest ones a couple of years ago now but you may still be able to find some knocking around if you’re lucky. They do look good and the teak effect is great but they are much more expensive than the more common railroad version. Thanks for watching 😃

[@speleokeir]

Other than directly from Hornby most model shops stock them. They've also been around long enough that you can pick them up secondhand as I did. Again many model shops have a selection of preowned rolling stock and of course there are online auction sites such as Ebay. They can also be found in some trainsets/train packs. They are nice, but a fair bit more expensive than the railroad ones especially since those can be picked up for £5-10 second hand. Hope that's helpful.

[@sebwilkins]

Ok, i havent seen them before and thought they were repaints, but they are quite expensive for a coach, but are a welcome improvement

[@johanfalkqvist3820]

Which filler are you using?

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Just any cheap ready mixed filler will do. The stuff I used in this video was quite heavy so recently I've been using more lightweight filler. Thanks for watching 😃

[@TheGreatWesternExpress]

it looks like wallsal road station that shut down in the 60s it ran near me

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

I can't claim to be an expert on Walsall Road Station but the design for the layout was loosely based on a flipped amalgamation of Embsay and Oakworth stations. Thanks for watching 😃

[@wellingtonnorthjunction3911]

Has anyone tried the metcalf platforms

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

I used them a while back on a small N Gauge layout I had years ago. They're great for beginners and beyond - very easy to adapt to your own needs and customise but to my eyes they did always look very much like cardboard platforms. Thanks for watching 😃

[@喬冶]

太棒了

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

谢谢你

[@Mr_Tea_Rexx]

roflmao 12:05

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

I work to a strict schedule 😂 Thanks for watching 👍