2025 Winter Challenge - Building Time Forgot

[Larry C]

Last year when I arrived here the 2024 Challenge was winding down; wow I've been here almost a year already. Anyway I thought it would be fun to have a go; not that I need another project right now.

To try to satisfy some of the requirements here is something I found online awhile ago as a source of inspiration for this diorama:



The diorama will be scratch built in O scale and probably in the neighborhood of about 8x12 inches; give or take but will be well under the 288 sq.in. limit. This will be a new challenge for me since I have never built anything that looked old and disused. While this will be a scratch build, the detail items will be purchased from the online vendors I use; 3D printing is way above my skill level.



The first item of business was to draw up a structure plan and since O scale uses 1/4 in = 1 ft. I grabbed a fresh piece of graph paper which has a 1/4 inch grid so that worked out perfectly. One item of note, I usually plan where the outside lumber goes and any interior studs/beams I figure out as I build which for me is an easier way of doing construction. The second item of business was to place an order with Northeastern Lumber which should arrive in about 3 days from now. While I wait for the wood I'll go back and work on my other current project.

 

[Jim Donovan]

Larry thank you for joining the Winter Challenge. It will be really neat to follow along on a 'O' scale project! 

Jim

[Larry C]

Jim my pleasure and I hope you enjoy my build.

[Philip]

 

[elwoodblues]

Larry,

This will be an interesting build to follow, which I will be doing. 

[Rick]

Larry, I'm going to enjoy following your project as well.
Have fun with it.

[Larry C]

Philip nice shades; glad you stopped by.

Ron thanks and I'll be watching yours as well.

Rick thanks for following along. This should be a fun and easy challenge.

[Larry C]

Update time:



The framing for the back wall and one end is finished. Being an old building I purposely did't worry about the cross pieces being level or straight across. I grained the wood with a plumber's brush then used raw umber 405.8 and clear alcohol to color the 6x6 beams then dry brushed grey on top; hopefully I've achieved the old worn wood look I'm going for. Also I place a sheet of waxed paper over the plans so the glue doesn't stick to the graph paper especially if I have to use the same plan multiple times like the end pieces.



The other end wall is finished so I clamped the walls together just to see what they'd look like. My lumber order should be here the first part of next week then I can attach the siding boards. I do have one inner wall to build in the meantime, which will go halfway across the back. That one will be 6 scale inches narrower so the front comes out properly; once finished then I'll make the rafters.



The outside of the walls I don't color so the glue sticks better to the wood and the siding plus it saves on materials since they'll be covered and not seen.

Soon I'll have to start thinking about details, go through my stash and see what I can use, and order any details I'll be needing. Trying to stay ahead so I'm not waiting for product to arrive. That's where I am so far and any comments and/or suggestions are appreciated.

[Jerry]

Count me in Larry.  This should be a good time!!

Jerry

[Larry C]

Jerry nice having you following along on this one.

[Jim Donovan]

Nice start!

Jim

[Larry C]

Thanks Jim.

[elwoodblues]

Larry, you are off to a great start.

[ACL1504]

Larry,

Great start, this will be a fun one to watch.

Tom

[Larry C]

Ron thanks, it's a start.

Tom thanks for tagging along.