2025-2026 Winter Challenge Interlocking Tower Build

[ACL1504]

Jeff,

Great start and the roof being removable is a good idea.

This is the structure I chose for my challenge build as well and have also made the roof removable. I have started the kit and loaded the photos but haven't posted it yet.

I'll be following along on this.

Tom

[Zephyrus52246]

Hi, Bob.  Yes, over the years I've slowly been losing the Floquils, but I do like the Vallejo colors as well. 

Jeff

[Zephyrus52246]

Thanks for looking in, Larry.  Some of the structures are slated for spots on the one area I'm finishing on the layout.  The others are shelf orphans for now.  

Jeff

[Zephyrus52246]

Yea, Mark.  Free stuff is always good.  Glad to have you along for the ride. 

Jeff

[Zephyrus52246]

Hi, Jerry.   Yeah, it's a start.  Hopefully I can keep it moving and compete this on time.  

Jeff

[Zephyrus52246]

Tom, I'm sure your work will be far superior to mine.  You'll probably have working levers/interlocking.  Maybe we should combine the builds and make a book about it. 

Jeff

[Jerry]

Tom, I'm sure your work will be far superior to mine.  You'll probably have working levers/interlocking.  Maybe we should combine the builds and make a book about it. 

Jeff

Well you sure picked a great book!  For the project!!

Jerry

[ACL1504]

Tom, I'm sure your work will be far superior to mine.  You'll probably have working levers/interlocking.  Maybe we should combine the builds and make a book about it. 

Jeff

Jeff,

Thanks, but don't sell yourself short. Your FSM Jefferies build was wonderful. Very well done.

I'll follow you and you can follow me, if I ever get the thread going. I've read the Lord of the Rings books four times over the past 40 years. We can call our book, Lords of the Build Challenge!

Tom

[PRR Modeler]

Great looking progress Jeff.

[friscomike]

Howdy Jeff, the two towers are going to be a fun project.  Good luck and have fun, mike

[Pennman]

Jeff,

I hear your pain about not completing a build. 
I will be following you on this. God speed.

Rich

[elwoodblues]

Jeff,

You are off to a great start, I'm looking forward to this build.

[Zephyrus52246]

Thanks for looking in, guys.  

Again the windows/trim are peel and stick, and I'm not a fan, but we'll see how it goes.  I have a grain elevator I built 20 years ago that I think was from this company and it's still together, so maybe it'll be OK.  My main problem is peeling the paper off the glue side.  I can't seem to do it with a finger or fingernail, so I use an xacto knife to try to get between the layers.  Sometimes this makes the paper get half torn off, and sometimes the glue comes off. 

I peel the paper off the first piece.  Just lift a corner on the next piece (otherwise it sticks to me), and then attach it.  Peel that piece off to place the final piece.  I leave the paper on that as I'm going to put it on painter's tape to airbrush it and it would then be too stuck to the tape.

Managed to get all the windows put together.  

Jeff

[deemery]

It helps to use a roller or even paint bottle to roll over the back of the press-and-stick stuff while the backer sheet is still on.  But yeah, I know what you mean about the adhesive peeling off instead of the backer sheet.

dave

[Zephyrus52246]

Thanks, Dave.  I'll try that next time.  Here are the parts that need the roof brown paint.  I hope I haven't missed any.  Another issue with the peel and stick is the "sticky side" of the steps will need painting.  I'm not sure how that will go.  The stairs need to be "built in place".  I may just have brush paint the bottoms after they're assembled.  I'll see how the paint works on the back of the carrier sheet.  Both the colors are usable, so off to the airbrush booth. 

Jeff