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Hello,
I have produced several build video’s over the past several months with great response and so I have continued this adventure with the Design Preservation Models Townhouse #1.
Design Preservation Models (DPM) have been a staple in the Model Railroading industry for many years with their injection molded models. This model, the DPM Townhouse #1 is part of a Townhouse collection available in O, HO and N scale. There are at least 3 of these Townhouse kits I am aware of and I have built several of them. Design Preservation Models is a Division of Woodland Scenics, one of the the leaders in model railroad building tools, scenic items and many other Model Railroad related items.
This model build was mostly meant to share technique on the DPM construction and a really heavy weathering to indicate a worn building and show the answer to many questions. The intention is to use this in an area on the layout where the buildings and surroundings are not well kept and so the building itself is by all rights, just down right nasty. The DPM models are in my opinion one of the best models on the market for their realism. Design Preservation Models really did a lot of research in creating such great modeling kits.
A little about the weathering, this model and video was put together to answer many questions about weathering model railroad structures. The weathering is very heavy on this model, even the windows are not immune to some weathering powders. The model’s weathering is applied through many different techniques and I hope I have captured enough here to answer the many questions I have received.
I have to admit, this build was a bit rushed! and the normal time and care taken with some of the details was a bit below standard for me. I did however plan this build more so for weathering and the over all general construction, so, I hope the lack of detail on some of this build isn’t seen as normal model practices.
Welcome to a very special (and long…) video showcasing a technique that was shown to me by Bill Schopf. Bill is a master structure builder, and he agreed to showing the “solid block” method as long as we built a structure for my layout. Gee, twist my arm Bill!
I did some searching and found a cool little building that used to be located on the PRR’s Shamokin Branch in the town of Weigh Scales, PA. It looks to be some kind of small office with an attached storage shed. With only one picture and no dimensions our model is at best “inspired by” the photo- we had to guess at the dimensions, roof pitch, far side wall layouts, etc. Overall it captures the feel of the prototype and will be a perfect addition for my locomotive service area.
The first 15 minutes showcase examples of some of Bill’s current “block” buildings. Here he explains the concept and shows how some of the buildings were made. After this we head to Bill’s wood shop to begin the work on my building. Bill shows the gluing, cutting and various saw work to get the blocks into shape for the building.
Bill then demonstrates cutting and fitting the Northeastern board & batten siding and shows how to mark and cut out the windows/doors. After that I head home to finish the construction. Back in my workshop we see the completed buildings after the siding was glued on, windows installed, roof added and the building painted. The final segment shows the weathered building ready for the layout.
We think you will find this technique interesting and a useful addition to your scratch building repertoire.
Many thanks to Bill for taking the time to show us all how to use this technique!
Bill has a gorgeous HO scale layout, be sure to check it out in the Layout Tours playlist.
Thank you for watching.
Great video!! enjoyed the walk threw.
Great Demo ! Wood Blocks Seem To Be A Great Way Of Making Durable Buildings That Don't Crumble…
Clever, I'll use it.
OMG! The D&H Yard, in North Albany, NY, had that exact building, except the broken away gutter was split and drooping at the middle connection of the run. Though the wood structure, at one time, had D&H blue and yellow by the time the mid/late 50's hit the brands colors faded to a Blue/Gray and FILTHY chipped yellow. Also sticking out of the, accurately placed, garage door was, from time to time, a Hy-Rail for track inspection. Also the vent stack was attached, inside, to a Franklin Stove, and it belched THICK BLACK smoke. SPOT ON Bill & Steve.
To be prototypical, with No. Alb. yard, the "Kitchen" or break room was a rusted up NYC Hard Body Dinner Car (from the WW2 era), off it trucks. It sat on part of the concrete slab. But suspension springs were left in place.
Lastly, the "Reading Room" was an outhouse. It was positioned atop a small rickety wooden bridge like structure. More than just a dock. Less than safe. This allowed the 2-holer outhouse to empty it's output to a local stream which fed into the Hudson River.
Great job guys.
Catch you DOWN THE LINE.
Great video. I have been using balsa sheets of various thickness laminated together as it is easier to sand and cut to shape w/o use of full size major power tools. I do have a miniature 4 inch disc-miter sander which does a great job shaping balsa to size. I've also used in combination with balsa small 1 inch sq. blocks of hard wood from Joannes that come approx. ten per bag. The buildings come out square without all the problems inherent with other methods. Using blocks is also good for making barges. I might add I model 1.87 scale.
Great video ,Beautiful building and thank you for sharing and the layout WOW
what is metric size?
Let's check woodprix handbook if you want to make it cheaper and better.
18'=cm?
A Dremel tool would be a lot easier than that finger slicer you guys are using!
Let's check woodprix handbook if you want to make it cheaper and better.
I want light in my buildings.. and interiors..
I have never seen a solid block scratch build. Nice video. AlthoughI would have liked to seen your finishing techniques.
Thanks for taking the time to post.
What manufacturer can I get all the products like the clapboard siding sheets and roof materials? Thanks
An excellent clinic! Thanks so much for taking the time to produce it.
Thank you for a well documented how too video. Very detailed.
Using wooden blocks for making buildings is a good idea but using heavy duty power tools for such small pieces is not without its risks. What's wrong with using hand saws and planes or have they been banned?
to paint your window details use a small pointed brush, don't use so much paint on it.
Wonderful Job Keep Them Coming👍
ModelMan Mike, may I ask who's the Blue's Artist? That Blues song, and any other Blues song that u may have use in ur other videos? Thanks in advance, Charlie.
Would you do anything different for N scale?
I agree – those molded in windows are a pain. My simple painting trick is this; I try to only buy kits that have separately molded windows!
Try painting the windows before you install.
Very nice job
Good video, but the music is too loud and a distraction.
What kind of glue you using In that blue Revel bottle? I'm working on a DPM N gauge "Reed Books". Got the 'box' together but before we paint the windows, I wanted to change the color to like yours in this video. the kit comes a brownish tan color. Cool video. I'll have to check out more of your stuff. Check my channel for a video of y N gauge tram layout.
A better brush would help a lot with the window frames. Atlas 10/0 or 5/0 is my choice