New Project Buzzard Bay Switch Tower UPDATED COMPLETE

Nice but what about the kit? Is that now hard to find?

My customer did not mention a kit. I am looking forward to the challenge of scratch building this structure.

Alan Graziano

Al, how do you cut out you window openings in styrene? When I did the Victorian Station I used the scribe, snap and glue method, which while making perfectly sized and square window openings, it does create much more work.

Sorry it took me so long to respond. I have been working 60 plus hours per week lately.

I use a boxcutter to scribe and cut through the styrene. I make multiple scribes until I cut through. .030" thick is pretty easy. .060" is more difficult.

I am hoping to post some progress pictures on this model starting Saturday morning.

Alan Graziano

Here are some progress pictures showing the interior .040" wall sections and the outer .125" wall sections. I will sand the corners of the building to match the original. I have to add the foundation. I will use either .060 or .125" thick styrene. The second floor windows will be made from scratch using styrene strips. The lower windows and doors will be Grand Line.

Alan Graziano

Alan:

Beautiful!

Alan

Looks great

Looking good Alan.  Looking forward to the finished building.

Here are some pictures of the latest progress pictures. I built out the foundation, sanded the corners to match the rounded corners on the original building, installed the horizontal decorative band and scratch built the top windows and installed the Grandt Line bottom windows.

Alan Graziano

Very nice. Brings back great memories on the CNJ way back in the day

I am currently working on the roof of this structure. It is a hip type roof that is also radiused. I used .015 styrene sheets to make the roof underdeck. This will be covered with spanish tile when it is completed. I drew out the elevations of the roof and measured the curved line in order to get the sheet lengths. I hand bent the plastic sheets to match the radius I cut into the four frame pieces.

Alan Graziano

Alan:

Sweet!

Joe

Hi Alan,

This is simply stunning!!!!! I know how much tedious work goes into a build like this. Amazing work !!!!

Alex

Alan,

Excellent, great work. 

Al, how are you handling the brick detailing? I love how nicely the curved roof fits.

Myron,

There is no brick detail on this building. It will be painted an off-white color. That will make it pretty easy.

Alan Graziano

Here are some pictures of the structure. It is almost complete. I have to add two signs to the corners, a buzzard bay sign over the door and some wave scrolling on the trim piece below the second story windows. The roof was as much of a job as the rest of the building.

Alan Graziano

Very well executed indeed.

Bob

I am especially impressed with the radius hip roof. With Spanish Tile no less. Very Well Done indeed.

Albert, I really like the tower especially now that I understand that it's stucco and not brick. Who makes that great Spanish Tile roofing? (If you've already told us, forgive me, I will go back and read more carefully).

Myles,

I should just call you Trainman and I would be ahead of the game. I keep thinking of this inspector we worked for at Chevron.  The tile is a Plastruct product. It is styrene. I made a sub roof of flat sheet to glue the tile to it. It worked out easier than I expected.

Thank you all for the nice comments.

Alan (Albert ) Graziano

Truly a work of art Al!

Alan, I figured that "Albert" moniker would get your attention. Now you won't forget. You do wonderful work.

The Buzzard Bay Switchtower is complete. Here are the completed pictures. Alex, Thank you for the nice comment on this model. You understand what goes into some of these structures.

Alan Graziano

Fantastic job. 

 looks so real!

Wonderful work as usual

jpv in France

Beautiful work!

Neal Jeter

Looks terrific, Alan!  Thanks for sharing.