Good Evening,

I wasn't kidding when I said a couple days ago I was going to build a CPR Water Tower for my Kootenay Branch Line. I begin my build by using an article from RMC published in April 2010. I used some of the building techniques from that article as well as my own take on a couple of things. Where the author scratch built his own windows and doors, I decided to go easy on myself and use doors and windows from Grandt Line. I also made a "foundation" of sorts from my usual 1/4 ply wood base and some strip wood to give the appearance of a poured foundation. Keeping with my material of choice as well as the author's I used card stock, or in my case, the heavier stuff from an empty Chocolate Cheerios box. I'll have to go out an purchase some windows... I could have swore I had some, however all that said, its the only thing right now keeping me from going all gangbusters on this structure and getting it done in record time.




There is plenty of heavy card stock found in just one box of this size. Turns out I'd need it as I made some mistakes and had to redo a couple of things...like the 8 walls that make up the building.




A panel was cut for the walls and then scored for the clapboard siding. I used a good sized square for this as a thin beamed square seemed to be "too light". I used my trusty carpenter knife and a pick in a hobby knife handle. The grooves were scored by the knife then spread by the pick every 6 inches. This was by far the hardest part of this build so far. I had to redo this part as my initial wall panel was too short and when measured would not have formed an octagon with even sides all around. Don't ask me how that happened.



Then the walls were scored every 9'6" in order to get them to bend. This would make quick work of all eight walls.



I then set about making my building foundation. Again I used a piece of 1/4 plywood cut to fit the area the tower would eventually find its new home in. I then used strip wood of various sizes to make up the visible exterior and interior wall supports. The building walls sit in between the strip wood like meat in a sandwich and provide a solid base for the structure.



A test fit shows everything is fine so far.



Borrowing from the magazine I copied the drawing for the roof of the tower which was printed off in HO scale. Lucky me. I cut out a piece of thinner card stock from another package and used some 3M spray on adhesive to glue the drawing to the card stock. Then I cut and scored the piece to make the roof section.



Here it is in place on the layout for another test fit. Just a ways down and next to the Sand Tower. As soon as I pick up my windows I hope to have this structure finished. I just hope it doesn't take me two years to finish this one!

That's great! Scoring the lines is the labor of love part!

Great job ! Cereal boxes .....somewhere Robin Mattyro is smiling .

Terry

I am impressed how precise the work is done. The clapboard looks at least as good as evergreen styrene

Very impressive! And the results are fantastic!

Like everybody else I find your tower very impressive!

That is off to an excellent start !!

Very nice. Are you going to make the spout or is it coming with the windows?

Wayne

Thanks for the compliments and the encouragement guys!

doctorwayne Wrote:Very nice. Are you going to make the spout or is it coming with the windows?

Wayne

LOL!!! That was funny.

I got a note today that Kanamodels is going to do a set of water tank, sandhouse and coaling tower. (but in CNR). for only $180.

BR60103 Wrote:I got a note today that Kanamodels is going to do a set of water tank, sandhouse and coaling tower. (but in CNR). for only $180.

$180.00 :o That's an almost lifetime supply of cereal box card stock !!!!!

BR60103 Wrote:I got a note today that Kanamodels is going to do a set of water tank, sandhouse and coaling tower. (but in CNR). for only $180.

Kanamodels sells a CPR Coal Tower, Water Tower and Sand House. Don't think I haven't already looked at those either. For $180 to get three wood kits isn't all that bad of a deal really. Especially for the price I've seen other kits go for!

I gotta to say though for that kinda of cash I think I'd rather keep it in my pocket. Do a bit of research, study some prototype drawings and photos, spend a few bucks on some strip wood, brass (or other soft metals), detail parts, and build my own model from scratch. I'd guess by the time I'm finished this it will have cost me under $20. (incl paint, glue, and the cost of the cereal that came in the box ) It might take me longer, but I think its well worth it. Besides, I like the challenge it presents, and I think with each build my skills and learned techniques are only improving.

Everybody else is kinda swelling your head. Unless I'm mistaken, it appears that I see three boads on that siding that look to be 1/4 scale inch wider than the rest.

Go ahead all, I started ducking when I hit submit

Lynn

Very cool and creative idea. Nicely done, cant wait for the paint and weathering.

yellowlynn Wrote:Everybody else is kinda swelling your head. Unless I'm mistaken, it appears that I see three boads on that siding that look to be 1/4 scale inch wider than the rest.

Go ahead all, I started ducking when I hit submit

Lynn

Crap! Thanks Lynn... now I have to go and start all over again!