A G.W.R. Waiting room - a simple Superquick kit bash

[jonte]

After a drink or two one Saturday evening, a friend confided that he was building a model railway. As one who is also careful about those to whom he discloses his interest - if at all - I could sense his apprehension. His overwhelming senses of relief and surprise were almost palatable when I replied, "so am I."

Needless to say, the topic of model railways dominated discussion for the rest of the evening, with each of us promising to exchange photos of our - humble - efforts to date.

Amongst the few I forwarded were one or two of a structure (a GWR single storey waiting room) 'loosely' based on one that stood on the platform of the former Snow Hill station in Birmingham. I say loosely as, for instance, mine is dressed with sand stone similar to Victorian structures that stood in my home town of Liverpool rather than the all-brick finish of the original, but mainly because it was simply an excuse to kit bash a cheap card kit, namely the Superquick Market House. Finished with nothing more technical than odd bits of balsa, wire and graph paper (all glued onto a foam board core), this was like stepping back in time to my uncomplicated modelling days of old; an experience that was quite refreshing.

So, before I dispose of them from my electronic album, I thought that as they are of a Great Western flavour, they might prove of interest to one or two fellow WT- ers. I sincerely hope I have included in the appropriate area of the forum.

Jonte

 

[jonte]

Many thanks, fellow Westerners, for your interest and 'likes'.

JonteJonte

 

[JimG]

Jonte,

It took me back many years to the 1960s when I last modelled in 4mm scale and built quite a few Superquick buildings at that time. I note that they still seem to be going strong - almost tempted to get a kit to re-live fifty years ago.

Jim.

 

[jonte]

Hi Jim and thanks for your response.

Yes they have their faults: dodgey printing, the odd wayward guillotine cut, lack of detail under areas of relief. The butt joints too don't help. My faults, however, are far greater!

Still, thin card is very easy to cut and glue and there are no singed fingers to nurse. Best of all, Superquick kits are still dirt cheap, so if it all goes awry, hey, who cares?

Have I encouraged you to have a go and rekindle those memories?

Kind regards,

jonte

 

[Lyndhurstman]

It still looks good, Jonte. Does it still stand? Or has the cardboard castle succumbed to the march of progress? Or conversion to some stumpy shortline across the pond?

Cheers

Jan

 

[jonte]

Indeed it does, Jan, although it sits redundant - in the company of so many other half-baked sister projects - on the window sill of my modelling room, accumulating the 1:1 scale cob webs you see in the photos.

Curiously, the cardboard has fared better than its creator, although a notice board on the front wall of its sister building was a casualty of reduced electrostatic attraction; another succumbing to the effects of poly cement as seen in a couple of the attached piccies. But that's the plastic bits, not the papery stuff!

Sadly, I can find no role for it in either Ohio or California, so on the window sill it's destined to remain, but it's value as a test bed for practising one or two weathering methods is priceless.

It's kind of you to be so complimentary as there is so much that I'd change if if I did it again, especially the gaps, the anaemic chimney................

Anyway, thanks again for your valued interest and good humour.

jonte