Recreating Leek station signal box

Discussion in 'Line Side Buildings' started by Andy_Sollis, May 1, 2020.

  1. Andy_Sollis

    Andy_Sollis Staff Member Moderator

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    And so it came that as York Paul was building Leek Station, I should get commandeered in to a Leek Signal box one discussion with other parties!
    So here is a bit of the progression in just over a week..

    2427BFB6-1B52-47AF-AD10-E74896FA9504.jpeg

    thanks to the NSRC who have given me a number of photos as reference, I could start counting bricks. The bonus from this is that it was half drawn with my Hassall Green model, and really only needed extending and modifying...
    B18EAFA4-E75E-4895-8623-116E713317D2.jpeg

    The original site was flattened in the 1970’s and then built upon by Safeway’s (now Morrison’s) on the station site.

    97E00BA6-DB9C-4001-AFF5-BE11275B2B59.jpeg

    so we start with the model. I didn’t take any early screen shots I’m afraid, but this kind of gives the flavour of where windows were moved and how the whole brick work structure extended under the resided wooden operating floor. Here the brick work is to be copied and pasted on the locking room.

    B603B373-0EC3-49D6-822D-E09142AC0223.jpeg

    Same at the back so you can tell just how much bigger this box was. I had to do the same with the roof.
     
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  2. Andy_Sollis

    Andy_Sollis Staff Member Moderator

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    Once I had the main structure and the base /roof complete, I moved on to the steps.
    As can be seen in the first B&W photo above, the stairs terminated on a brick landing with brick steps for the last flight. So next to model the stair case and the brick base. 60E45966-D67D-4287-AFD5-877EDC619451.jpeg
    The brick base was built off the model and then combined. 39142253-A098-4DC4-B51F-F0B6BBE584A2.png
    It comprised of the bricks, a mortar block and the paving slabs. 10BCFA6F-6DF4-414A-86E0-4A65715AFB21.png
    Then it was added to the locking room structure with the steps.

    6960137B-8E45-440E-AEB0-CD92135A8308.jpeg
     
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  3. York Paul

    York Paul Staff Member Moderator

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    That will make a cracking model when its done... Ken Faulkner and Jack Twigg would have been proud of you Andy... are you doing the warehouse and beer landing as well. :avatar:
     
  4. Andy_Sollis

    Andy_Sollis Staff Member Moderator

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    I’ve then moved on to the “detail” such as the name boards and walk boards on the outside. Also discussed was where the stove and chimney sat, so the hole in the roof was in the right location.

    774EDB96-C322-416E-9430-B252ADB7CB13.jpeg 3A32E529-1B6E-4A88-826F-46608C8A13EA.jpeg A3C5D69A-3E7E-4427-9444-EF03D8E85269.jpeg
    Giving it a feel. Having a name.

    moving on to the walk ways.

    5CE160E2-3A02-4F1B-AFAA-F1DD992ECCCD.jpeg

    As we can see above, the brackets have been placed.
    E22A8F27-F70D-4D23-A077-9A4CDEB53358.jpeg E0473B80-44DF-4C0A-AD12-F8E0995EDD1B.jpeg
    and the boarding placed upon them. I also at this stage added in some “transparent glazing” just to give a bit more of a feel to the model.
    284FC3C9-E5E5-48F3-869B-75B5054F47C7.jpeg
    And then opened the windows and doors - inside you can see the stove but not in it’s final location.
     
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  5. Andy_Sollis

    Andy_Sollis Staff Member Moderator

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    The final stage before we can look at going to print was the setting up of the spreader beams that sit below the internal roof of an NSR box, and the stove. These also had a corrugated iron shield behind to protect the woodwork.

    B6C82260-0F3B-4341-8867-A1B663C1AE50.jpeg
    We knew the stove sat to the right hand side, but had to work out where. We considered this was too close to the spreader beam.
    ADF3D3E9-966C-405B-8563-601C42372F72.jpeg
    so we moved it along a little and decided on this.

    E50B8B49-4A4F-4C6D-BA84-7D8C58567F16.jpeg

    I then set about with the iron back and were about done. With that finalised, we can make the hole in the roof for the flue pipe to exit.
    And there we have it. Leek station signal box.
     
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  6. York Paul

    York Paul Staff Member Moderator

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    It really does look the biz Andy but hate to say know what we have forgotten ? What has Chedd box got that this one has missing... the long plank shelves which go across the width of both end walls just above windows and door. BTW the door handle was on the right hand side and the door opened to the left. Also the skirting boards need placing in. This one will be a stunner when done and Toto will buy twenty of them off you. :avatar::avatar:
     
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  7. Andy_Sollis

    Andy_Sollis Staff Member Moderator

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    Funny as I did skirting on Blythe Bridge!
    Maybe I should add it in.
     
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  8. MalcT

    MalcT Full Member

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    That's a superb model Andy :tophat::thumbup:
     
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  9. Andy_Sollis

    Andy_Sollis Staff Member Moderator

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    Thank you.:giggle:
     
  10. jakesdad13

    jakesdad13 Staff Member Moderator

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    Agreed!!
     
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  11. York Paul

    York Paul Staff Member Moderator

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    Absolutely Pete, and the thing is it was a really nice signal box and big too by North Stafford standards although others such as Cliffe Vale which had 65 levers and the old Longport Junction box which had 70 and Kidsgrove Liverpool Road 82, Alsager Yard had 50 and the East box had 45 were considerably bigger.
     
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  12. Andy_Sollis

    Andy_Sollis Staff Member Moderator

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    So, after the computer finally produced a 40 lever frame (there must be some complexity In the details I drew in this that the computer struggles with!) we can now start to have a look inside what Leek Station signal box would have looked like. It’s not perfect, and there is still much to do..

    Shall we take a peak through the glass?
    666868BC-ED8B-420E-AB11-207D4EE7A61C.jpeg


    oh look, the doors open! C54B517E-BF2C-42E5-B56C-019FEE3B2E32.jpeg
     
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  13. Andy_Sollis

    Andy_Sollis Staff Member Moderator

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    The long plank shelves have now gone in..
    Skirting is next.
     
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  14. York Paul

    York Paul Staff Member Moderator

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    That looks instantly recognisable and correct Andy, it is the first time in nearly fifty years that I have viewed that scene, true lots to do as you say but once the detail is added the feel of the place is right. That I can tell you and no mean effort on your part in creating something so well from just a virtual framework. I take my hat off to you.:tophat::tophat::tophat::tophat::thumbup:
     
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  15. Andy_Sollis

    Andy_Sollis Staff Member Moderator

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    Thanks Paul!
     
  16. jakesdad13

    jakesdad13 Staff Member Moderator

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    Being something of a Luddite and technophobic I cannot help but be amazed at the craftsmanship you guys produce with your witchcraft :worship::worship::worship:

    Pete.
     
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  17. ianvolvo46

    ianvolvo46 Staff Member Moderator

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    I'm with Pete on this, it's all gnat's breath and tongue of lizard to me too :scratchchin:... but amazing all the same :faint: great thread! :thumbup::thumbup:

    Ian vt
     
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  18. Fruit

    Fruit Full Member

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    Brilliant work Andy, so glad we convinced you to do this box. Looking forward to making my model of the box and the immediate environs.
     
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  19. Andy_Sollis

    Andy_Sollis Staff Member Moderator

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    The secret is, everything starts off either square box or round tube, and then you pull it and shape it. Just takes a bit of practice.
     
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  20. Andy_Sollis

    Andy_Sollis Staff Member Moderator

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    I will look at posting tonight’s discussions tomorrow.

    Needless to say folks, we’ve made some changes after some detective work and group banging of heads,
     
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