2025-2026 Winter Challenge Interlocking Tower Build

[Zephyrus52246]

Thanks for looking in, Greg and Mark.  

Ron, thanks.  I think I got the color figured out.  Tried five different Vallejo colors and a Delta Ceramcoat as well.  Of course the Delta was the closest match.  It's the one on the stringer next to the cigar sign.  I did a second coat of the Depot Buff on the sides and will add a third to more closely match the station.  

Also a picture of the Grex airbrush.  I will brush paint the Delta paint.  I have airbrushed some of these in the past, but they have to be so thin they get kinda watery for me and don't cover well.  

Jeff

[Michael Hohn]

Jeff,

You're using a classic pair of colors.  They always look historically-appropriate and railroady. 

Mike

[Larry C]

Jeff picking color combinations is almost an art form trying to get the correct match with what you have in mind. Nice looking airbrush.

[Zephyrus52246]

Thanks, Mike.  The station is painted per George Sellios' instructions, it's an FSM kit.  The first I bought way back when.  

Jeff

[Zephyrus52246]

Larry, when I build a structure, I always overthink the color scheme.  I usually go with what the manufacturer used, unless it's a CB&Q structure, then I use appropriate company colors.  I tried to find Rock Island colors, and they used a buff and brown/maroon color scheme, which is similar to this.  I did want to make it match the station if they end up being "paired" on the layout. 

Jeff

[ACL1504]

Jeff,

What are the CB&Q colors. Are they the same as the challenge build?

Tom

[Zephyrus52246]

They are "Bronze Green" and "Indian Red", like on the tower I used as a placeholder example.  

Jeff

[Larry C]

Jeff nice looking little build; should look great on your layout.

[PRR Modeler]

Jeff very nice modeling.

[Jerry]

Jeff great job!

Jerry

[KentuckySouthern]

Nice!

[Zephyrus52246]

Thanks, guys.  I built that tower a few years ago.  I have another kit for it to use in another spot on the layout.

I'm doing things in a different order than the instructions note. They have you assemble the tower first. I wanted to do most of the work with the sides flat on the work bench.  First I added some board cuts and nail holes.  I have a tool I think from England to make the nail holes.  they are finer than the usual pounce wheels.  I then use the "Monster Nailer" to make two holes on each side of the board cuts.  I didn't lift or remove any boards as the tower is well maintained.

Jeff

[Zephyrus52246]

I then added the window frames.  I will then use an oil paint/thinner dark wash over everything.  Doing this before putting in the window glass will make sure I don't stain the glass by accident.  It will then be easier to add the glass when the pieces are flat on the bench, versus the sides being together.  I did use a small amount of Elmer's glue (the Titebond sets up too fast) inside the window frames as some of the sticky side stuff came off on the tape when I removed them.  

Jeff

[PRR Modeler]

Great looking progress Jeff. It's a smart idea to do the glass before assembling the walls.

[Mark Dalrymple]

Nice colours, Jeff.

Looking good.

Cheers, Mark.