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The Roundhouse => Layout Tours => Topic started by: madharry on December 26, 2017, 06:28:31 AM

Title: Bergen Houses
Post by: madharry on December 26, 2017, 06:28:31 AM
For this little project I built a small oval of Magnorail track screwed down on a piece of MDF. Around the edges of the board I added 8mm square wood. I then added an acrylic top which I screwed down into the wood. I then sprayed the top with grey primer leaving the area around the motor clear in order to aid in adding the cyclist to the track where the magnets are.

The vehicles denote the road and the cyclist peddles between them. The oblong area in the middle is where the block of houses will be built. The viewer will see the cyclist cycle along the front of the houses and then disappear around the rear for about 30 seconds.
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: madharry on December 26, 2017, 06:30:37 AM
Here are the houses on my work bench. I have tried to replicate the scene in the photograph. The rear of the houses will not be seen by the viewer and will be made of grey 2mm thick card.

The Arke Reisen bus was added for Jan as it has carried Dutch tourists on tour to Norway.  :)

Mike
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: ACL1504 on December 26, 2017, 08:31:08 AM
Mike,

Looks like a fun project. I'll follow along with you on this one as I have with all your other great projects.

Tom ;D
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: tct855 on December 26, 2017, 08:32:57 AM
Mike,
         Consider me a copycat to Tom, my older less attractive balding brother from another mother.  I'll be model lurking here too!  Thanx Thom...
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: GPdemayo on December 26, 2017, 09:23:03 AM
This will be interesting to see for those of us on this side of the great water. I'll be watching Mike.  ;D
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: PRR Modeler on December 26, 2017, 10:45:53 AM
Very interesting project. I'm following.
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: jimmillho on December 26, 2017, 02:22:51 PM
Quote from: GPdemayo on December 26, 2017, 09:23:03 AM
This will be interesting to see for those of us on this side of the great water. I'll be watching Mike.  ;D

A big "ME TOO" on this one.

Jim
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: Janbouli on December 26, 2017, 06:37:16 PM
I'll ride along on the tourist bus  ;)
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: S&S RR on December 26, 2017, 08:34:24 PM
I will also be following along.
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: madharry on December 27, 2017, 04:44:04 AM
Thanks Tom, Thom, Greg, Curt, Jim, Jan and John for following..............so no pressure!

The majority of the houses are painted barn red. I have chosen a section of five that are a range of colours - red, yellow, red, orange and orange. The next one is double fronted. Unfortunately I have not space for seven so I have reversed the window arrangement so it is mirror image of the first one (red) and it will be painted white.

So far I have cut 38 windows in the walls. Several problems are to be solved. All the window frames will have to scratched as none of the window frames in my Tichy collection come even close. The shop fronts will also need to be made and I will have to figure out the various type faces used in the signage.

Mike :-\
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: deemery on December 27, 2017, 12:39:32 PM
Somewhere I have the obligatory photo from when we visited Bergen.  It's always fun to see someone model a place you've been.


When are you going to tackle Stonehenge?   :) ;) :D ;D



dave
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: madharry on December 28, 2017, 05:55:58 AM
Thanks Dave, Stonehenge would need a lot of real estate what with the grid-locked A303 road and the 1000's of figures visiting the site - it might be a wee bit expensive too!

Mike :)
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: madharry on December 28, 2017, 09:12:44 AM
Here are the shop fronts suitably painted. To get the actual size I scaled photos down using a photocopier until a HO scale figure corresponded to the size of a passerby in the photo.

Mike
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: PRR Modeler on December 28, 2017, 10:01:28 AM
Smart idea with the copier Mike.
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: madharry on December 28, 2017, 10:59:05 AM
Thanks Curt.

I have started framing the inside of the windows. The two lower left hand ones have started to be framed with sage painted wood. Slow process and I figure each of the 44 windows will take about an hour each to do the outside frames, inside frames, sashes, decorative pieces, sills not to mention the window glass and curtains. Still they will be unique until someone decides to make a kit!

Mike
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: madharry on December 29, 2017, 12:03:53 PM
Still ploughing on with the windows. There are 16 pieces of wood to be cut and painted for each window times 44..........to relieve the boredom I took a couple pics of my Flamsbana train. An extra loco has just be despatched from Germany. Interesting fact as Norway is not a full member of the EU, I am forced to buy from their branch in Germany....go figure.

Mike
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: S&S RR on December 30, 2017, 09:08:24 AM
Mike


Your build is coming along nicely.  I think windows and painting castings is why I always have more than one build going at a time. You just have to get away from them and do something else for a few minutes.
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: madharry on December 30, 2017, 11:06:20 AM
Thanks John I agree.

Steady progress on the upper floors of building 2. Next steps the fancy side supports and top drip rail. Touch up with paint and then apply acetate to the rear to represent window glass.

Mike
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: madharry on December 30, 2017, 12:50:24 PM
This is the finished top floor of building 2. The windows took 117 pieces of scale wood. Oh I wish Tichy made norwegian windows..........

Enough for today before backache and eye strain set in.............

Mike
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: madharry on December 31, 2017, 12:03:12 PM
Continuing.............I am trying to copy the shop detail of the building. I am learning as I go along.

Mike
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: ACL1504 on December 31, 2017, 12:24:44 PM
Mike,

Great job on the houses. The windows look really well done. All thumbs up on this one also.

Tom ;D
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: PRR Modeler on December 31, 2017, 09:03:11 PM
I agree with Tom, beautiful job on the windows and walls.
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: madharry on January 01, 2018, 05:02:08 AM
Thanks Tom and Curt for your kind words.

Here is the shop windows lined out now I just need to fabricate a door.

Mike
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: madharry on February 28, 2018, 11:52:37 AM
It has been sometime since I posted. But here is an update. Most of the fronts are complete and I have just to complete the shop on the white one.

A lot of time has been expended looking at pictures of the real thing and trying to replicate the windows and shop fronts.

Mike
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: madharry on March 01, 2018, 06:54:38 AM
Working from photos it appears the shop door on the white building is built into a recess on the left. I added a clapboard pillar to the right. Then added a pillar to the left corner attached to a clapboard recess and a further pillar that is glued at right angles to the previously glazed door. I used thick clear styrene sheet for the display window which was scored to create a right angle recess to be glued to the door. Black insulation tape was used to create a base for the window. Nearly there........

Mike
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: tct855 on March 01, 2018, 08:42:14 AM
Mike,
          Nice job sir! Nice job sir!  I felt I should say it three times.    Yup, Nice job sir!  Thanx Thom...
https://youtu.be/vYEXzx-TINc?t=12
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: PRR Modeler on March 01, 2018, 10:09:47 AM
Really nice work Mike.
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: madharry on March 01, 2018, 11:25:04 AM
Thanks very much Thom and Curt. I am enjoying the challenges of this scratch build very much. Thanks for watching.
Here is the building front completed together with a friend.

Mike
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: ACL1504 on March 01, 2018, 11:46:17 AM
Mike,

The houses are coming along very nicely. Well done my friend.

Tom ;D
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: jerryrbeach on March 01, 2018, 02:26:33 PM
Mike,

I like the way the storefront is coming together.
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: Janbouli on March 01, 2018, 05:03:01 PM
Can't wait to see a street of Bergen, nice work Mike.
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: madharry on March 01, 2018, 05:44:11 PM
Tom thanks very much I really welcome your support.

Mike :) :D
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: madharry on March 01, 2018, 05:44:44 PM
Thanks Jerry for following along.
Mike :)
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: madharry on March 01, 2018, 05:50:51 PM
Jan,

I was just watching SHETLAND a TV programme and they were at the very spot I'm modelling.
The Byrygen is like Fisherman's Wharf is to San Francisco to Bergen.............. 1700 thereabouts

I'm really hoping the display will be doing it justice.

Mike
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: Rail and Tie on March 01, 2018, 10:46:11 PM
Mike

I really like that you model unusual layouts. Something I want to do going forward when I get my chance for a layout in our new shop.... if it ever gets done and if it ever stops snowing!!!

Really looking forward to this one that you are working on.
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: madharry on March 02, 2018, 12:35:47 PM
Thanks Darryl, you need to get that shop finished and start modelling again. Thanks once again for your support.

Mike :)
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: GPdemayo on March 03, 2018, 08:49:50 AM
Looks like a winner Mike.....I'll be watching.  :)
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: madharry on March 03, 2018, 01:02:52 PM
Thanks Greg it is much appreciated!

The lettering on some of buildings is quite a stand out, so I have been experimenting with Woodlands Scenics dry transfers.......... once on the new Norwegian show layout the buildings will be 2-3 ft away from the viewing public so thumbs up it should look OK. ;)

Mike
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: Janbouli on March 03, 2018, 05:58:25 PM
Letters look fine to me Mike , even from so near by.
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: madharry on March 06, 2018, 02:30:24 PM
Thanks Jan.

I have added more lettering. Painted some unpainted Preiser figures. I then adjusted the shop windows as they were not exactly to scale. Added the front steps and door.
Finally some background posters..............

Mike
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: PRR Modeler on March 06, 2018, 03:35:37 PM
Very nice Mike. Ingenious to use plastic people as mannequins.
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: madharry on March 07, 2018, 10:52:22 AM
Thanks Curt much appreciated...............

Here is the underside of the board (does anyone else have problems finding room to take photos?) with the track attached and motor showing with wiring. I have made this robust so it should stand up to exhibtion conditions. I can shake the board around and the track and wiring stays intact............
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: madharry on March 07, 2018, 10:55:00 AM
Continuing......... the rear of the buildings will not be seen so they are made of thick 2mm card. I have measured the buildings and traced thier roof lines. I have attached 18 inches of balsa wood to the bottom of the row which will act as a support when glued to the top of the board...........
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: madharry on March 07, 2018, 10:57:50 AM
Continuing...........here is an update on how the front of the buildings look so far...........

Mike
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: PRR Modeler on March 07, 2018, 10:59:51 AM
The last shot reminds me of Bermuda.
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: jimmillho on March 07, 2018, 11:01:03 AM
Good looking row of buildings Mike

Jim
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: madharry on March 07, 2018, 12:20:03 PM
Thanks Curt and Jim for following along.
Mike :)
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: tct855 on March 07, 2018, 06:17:09 PM
Madman Mike,

     Move your wrinkly old overseas arse!  My half blind as a bat grandmother moves faster than your current set n glue practices:

     The above in no way can be directed to you Sir.  I'm enjoying your building of a very cool layout indeed

For some reason, I'm captivated with everyone else watching, you go girl!.  Keep up the great work bossman.   

           Ok, I'll go now.  Thanx Thom...
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: madharry on March 08, 2018, 04:52:44 AM
Thanks Thom, BTW I'm am working on my glutes to ensure they are not too wrinkly while working on the model - it is called multi-tasking........ :)

Mike
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: Lynnb on March 18, 2018, 02:08:28 PM
Mike this is a very interesting project, will you do it as the photo shows , with the water?
I like the way its going, looking good. I have never been much of a scratch builder but I think I'm getting the itch to try.
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: madharry on March 18, 2018, 07:08:17 PM
Yes Lynn the block will plumbed in to the Norway show layout and there will be a harbour, boats etc............
The layout is due at an exhbition in Sep 2019 and I am still wrestling with the detail. :-\

Mike
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: Lynnb on March 19, 2018, 09:44:18 PM
Mike I can see this will be an awsome scene with the water included.  ;)
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: madharry on April 10, 2018, 03:46:00 PM
I have resolved to finish these so I can proceed with my ship kit. I have started to attach the sides and rear to the fronts. A lot of finagling going on but I am getting there.

I added some more window displays. The orange store has a motor boat and out board motor. Pels Design has a display of fine chairs. The courtyard leading into the restaurant/bar has been paved.............

Mike
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: postalkarl on April 10, 2018, 04:53:20 PM
Hey Mike:

They are looking really great. Love all the signs.

Karl
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: PRR Modeler on April 10, 2018, 09:16:19 PM
Great looking row of buildings Mike.
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: Janbouli on April 11, 2018, 03:25:01 AM
Was going to visit Bergen , this way I don't have to  ;)
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: deemery on April 11, 2018, 08:31:47 AM
Quote from: Janbouli on April 11, 2018, 03:25:01 AM
Was going to visit Bergen , this way I don't have to  ;)
It's worth the visit, anyway.  And the mountain trains are a lot of fun.


dave
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: madharry on April 12, 2018, 06:10:03 AM
Thanks Karl, Curt and Jan for your nice comments.

The rear of the buildings will not be seen. So doing an Earl Smallshaw etc the rears are 2mm thick cardboard. Somewhere down the line I made an error and in the measuring the front heights against the backs, I found a small difference of 1.5 to 2 scale feet on the apex on three of the structures......

So I used small pieces of wood cut to size to rectify the matter before I start fitting the roofs. The pieces of wood were cut from free coffee stirrers!

Mike
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: madharry on April 12, 2018, 06:24:47 AM
The roofs of the actual warehouses are finished with beautiful Terracotta Pantiles. I could go two ways with this and the cheap option would be to use Scalescenes paper download pantiles. I have got some sheets in stock so the cost would be zero. However I am only going to construct this section of buildings once. So having saved a bunch of money on my cardboard and coffee stirrers...........

I am splurging $60 on five sheets of Redutex - the difference between the two is obvious from the picture. I am going to use three different tones to give the block of buildings some variation.

Mike
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: madharry on April 12, 2018, 02:01:33 PM
Continuing............

I have added blinds and curtains to the windows of the buildings as per photos of the real thing. Next I cut the cardboard roofs which are all slightly different given the size and different heights of the structures. I then added thick wooden beams to the apex of each.

Mike
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: PRR Modeler on April 12, 2018, 06:28:31 PM
Excellent Mike.
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: madharry on April 13, 2018, 05:39:09 AM
Thanks Curt I appreciate it.

continuing................

The Redutex sheets have a usable surface of 84 scale feet by 34 ft after you have trimmed the edges off of the imperfections of the manufacturing process. I am having to use five sheets as only two of the roofs of the smaller buildings (structures 3 and 4 in the middle) will fit on one sheet.  I will have plenty of leftovers for smaller buildings that I plan to make in the future.......... ;)

Mike
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: Lynnb on April 13, 2018, 01:12:28 PM
Watching  :)
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: madharry on April 14, 2018, 01:56:21 AM
Thanks Lynn.

The roofs are starting to be tiled. The block is sitting on the cycletrack. I will add a paved area in front of the buildings.

Mike
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: ACL1504 on April 14, 2018, 08:12:30 AM
Mike,

Well done my friend. Looks like the block is coming together.

Tom ;D
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: madharry on April 15, 2018, 01:31:07 PM
Thanks alot Tom :)

Mike
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: madharry on April 18, 2018, 07:19:54 AM
Continuing..................

I have tiled all the roofs and painted the overhangs the colour of each building. I could not resist adding a poster to the white wall. It shouts Norway as it advertising the iconic Hurtigruten shipping line that operates along the west coast of Norway. The poster was the price label of a souvenir tee shirt and too good to throw away!

Mike
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: Janbouli on April 18, 2018, 04:15:13 PM
The east coast , as in over the top of Norway to the east with Vardo and Vadso
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: postalkarl on April 18, 2018, 04:35:38 PM
Hey Mike:

Well done;

Karl
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: sdrees on April 18, 2018, 10:30:59 PM
Hi Mike,

Looks very nice Mike. 
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: madharry on April 19, 2018, 04:38:48 AM
Quote from: Janbouli on April 18, 2018, 04:15:13 PM
The east coast , as in over the top of Norway to the east with Vardo and Vadso

Sorry getting old .I am old. Should have said west coast.............

Mike :(
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: madharry on April 19, 2018, 04:40:20 AM
Thanks for following Karl and Steve.

Mike  :)
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: Janbouli on April 19, 2018, 07:37:53 AM
Quote from: madharry on April 19, 2018, 04:38:48 AM
Quote from: Janbouli on April 18, 2018, 04:15:13 PM
The east coast , as in over the top of Norway to the east with Vardo and Vadso

Sorry getting old .I am old. Should have said west coast.............

Mike :(

Not old by far Mike , I actually thought you meant the little piece of east coast above Sweden and Finland, but I'm guessing there are no cruises going there.
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: madharry on April 19, 2018, 09:46:15 AM
Sorry I got confused the Hurtigruten mail/car ferry/cruise sails between islands off the west coast and is rarely in open sea so there is almost always land on both sides of the ship............... ;)

Mike
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: madharry on April 20, 2018, 12:46:23 PM
Continuing............

The roofs are on and I have added drain channels. I have painted the wood for the eaves detailing and I need to add ridge tiles. But I am getting there...........

Mike
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: Lynnb on April 21, 2018, 01:53:09 PM
Really well done.
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: madharry on April 24, 2018, 10:37:45 AM
Thanks very much Lynn.

The roofs are on, the detailing and ridge tiles are complete. I added a reindeer's head to the side of the restaurant wall. It is difficult to see what animal is used on the prototype, it could be a bear, but I do not have one that small in stock..........

Now to detail the street scene and to wait for the peddling cyclist to appear...............

Mike
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: PRR Modeler on April 24, 2018, 10:51:22 AM
Really nice work Mike.
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: jimmillho on April 24, 2018, 12:40:34 PM
Good looking block of houses, I like it.

Jim
Title: Re: Bergen Houses
Post by: madharry on April 24, 2018, 03:22:54 PM
Thanks Curt and Jim I really appreciate it.

Mike :)