2025-2026 Winter Challenge - AMB Interlocking Tower

[ACL1504]

Howdy Tom,
The tower build is progressing well. The interior view adds a lot of interest to the structure. Glad the A&S
RR could afford the shingle material. Good luck with the desk quest.
Have fun,
mike

Mike, Howdy,

Thanks very much, appreciate the comment.

Tom

[ACL1504]

Tom, thanks for the explanation on the corner trim.
Your answer makes sense.
Going with the prototypical roofing material also makes sense.

Rick,

You are welcome and thank you for the comment.

Tom

[ACL1504]

While digging through my stash of stuff for the machine shop, I found a laser-cut (UPS brown color cardstock material) rolltop desk that I put into the drafting room/office (on the right). 

Unfortunately, I don't remember where I got it!  Does anyone recognize this?

dave

Dave, 

I do have a couple of desks but they don't fit. I think it is because the tower interior space is small and the fact I put the levers to much in the center.

Tom

[ACL1504]

Tom,

Great progress in the tower.  The lighted interior adds life to the scene.  I have no idea where one can find an HO desk, although one could scratchbuild one.

Going with the rolled roofing makes sense it that is what is common for the railroad location.

Ron,

Thank you and i agree, I could scratch build one but it isn't in my future.

The rolled roofing is the best choice for this model.

Tom

[ACL1504]

The rolled roofing I'm sure will be just fine.

Jerry

Jerry,

Thanks for the support and I agree. It will be fine.

Tom

[ACL1504]

The roofing looks great. I was going to suggest a tin roof for something different.

Butty Curt,

 Thanks very much, a tin roof would be neat but too expensive for the A&S RR.

Tom

[deemery]

I do have a couple of desks but they don't fit. I think it is because the tower interior space is small and the fact I put the levers to much in the center.

Tom

OK...  You could do what the prototype did.  Cut two blocks the correct width, glue on some "drawer fronts" and then put a correct width plank between those two blocks.   

By the way, a question on Florida railroad prototype practices:  How well would rolled roofing work in a hurricane?  Would that be used because it's low cost, and replaced after a hurricane? 

dave

[ACL1504]

Looking good, Tom.

Scale structures do some nice looking desks - although a bit pricy.

https://scale-structures.com/5000-fezziwigs-furniture-interior-designs/?page=7

Re adding rafter tails - It seems to me this roof is set up like it has soffits.  This would mean the rafters would be hidden above these.  Typically you would just see soffits, fascia and guttering.

Cheers, Mark.

Mark, Cheers,

I have looked at the SS Ltd. desks and they are to big. As I mentioned above, the interior space is small and I glued the levers to much in the center of the interior.

Ref. the rafter tails. I agree in part. The roof angle also helped keep the rain our. The windows are not much lower than the roofs edge. I guess it was also a matter of money to add the soffits and fascia along with the gutter.

The first photo is a freight station on the old Seaboard RR line in Apopka, Fl.  The roof is extended but has the exterior rafter tails and a very narrow fascia.



The next two photos were taken of an old freight station on the Maryland and Pennsylvania RR, the MA & PA just north of Baltimore, MD.





Granted these are freight stations, but the concept is basically the same.

I believe it was a cost factor in covering the rafter tails and adding a fascia.

Tom

[ACL1504]

I do have a couple of desks but they don't fit. I think it is because the tower interior space is small and the fact I put the levers to much in the center.

Tom

OK...  You could do what the prototype did.  Cut two blocks the correct width, glue on some "drawer fronts" and then put a correct width plank between those two blocks. 

By the way, a question on Florida railroad prototype practices:  How well would rolled roofing work in a hurricane?  Would that be used because it's low cost, and replaced after a hurricane? 

dave

Dave,

That is exactly what I planned to do. It will be just inside the door and up against the wainscoting. I think I'll go with 2X4 legs.

We are on the same page my friend.

Tom

[deemery]

I do have a couple of desks but they don't fit. I think it is because the tower interior space is small and the fact I put the levers to much in the center.

Tom

OK...  You could do what the prototype did.  Cut two blocks the correct width, glue on some "drawer fronts" and then put a correct width plank between those two blocks. 

By the way, a question on Florida railroad prototype practices:  How well would rolled roofing work in a hurricane?  Would that be used because it's low cost, and replaced after a hurricane? 

dave

Dave,

That is exactly what I planned to do. It will be just inside the door and up against the wainscoting. I think I'll go with 2X4 legs.

We are on the same page my friend.

Tom

I'm suggesting solid blocks, rather than 2x4 legs.  If you use a piece of wood maybe 1/4x1/4, cut to the right height and width, you can add 'drawer fronts' really easily to get something that looks much more like a "desk" than a "table."

Not the best photo, but there's a blueprint cabinet and a pair of filing cabinets done that way against the back wall in the drafting room. 

The filing cabinet drawers show up pretty well in this photo.  The other tables and desks in that room came from the LM3 kit.

dave

[ACL1504]

This little tower has a chimney. I don't have room for a wood heater so I won't be using it. However, the chimney hole was drilled with the roof panel flat.

This tower has electric heat anyway. 

When the chimney goes in the hole this is what it look like.



File the hole and the chimney pipe should look more like this. Just saying.

[ACL1504]

I do have a couple of desks but they don't fit. I think it is because the tower interior space is small and the fact I put the levers to much in the center.

Tom

OK...  You could do what the prototype did.  Cut two blocks the correct width, glue on some "drawer fronts" and then put a correct width plank between those two blocks. 

By the way, a question on Florida railroad prototype practices:  How well would rolled roofing work in a hurricane?  Would that be used because it's low cost, and replaced after a hurricane? 

dave

Dave,

That is exactly what I planned to do. It will be just inside the door and up against the wainscoting. I think I'll go with 2X4 legs.

We are on the same page my friend.

Tom,

I'm suggesting solid blocks, rather than 2x4 legs.  If you use a piece of wood maybe 1/4x1/4, cut to the right height and width, you can add 'drawer fronts' really easily to get something that looks much more like a "desk" than a "table."

dave

Dave,

Yes, the soled blocks would/will work. However, where the desk is located the legs won't show.

If I did a full interior, it would look more realistic.

Tom

[ACL1504]

I next used the kit stair brackets and glued them in place.



The wood used in this kit is very porous. When I stained the pieces with the white wash (Floquil Reefer White and thinner), the pieces swelled with the paint.

I forgot to take photos of how I opened the swollen areas. I used small and narrow hobby files and filed the sides of the opening so the stringers would fit in the slots.

[ACL1504]

I next added the platform railings. I used metal squares to insure they were level and flush with the sides of the platform.



After installing them on the building I made sure the platform and railing were level.



Done for today.

[PRR Modeler]

Very nice Tom. Obviously the stove is in the lower level!