Wagga Wagga Signal box - details

Wagga Wagga Signal Box – details

Interior detailing is not something I have concentrated on in the past.    I had limited my efforts to models that could be seen, but in reality, I was more interested in the next project.

Automatic Staff exchange at Bomen.  A 44 class has just exchanged staffs on the "pop up" staff exchanger instrument in 1972.  Thanks to Peter Neve for supplying this great picture

But, it was time I challenged myself.  Over the years,  I have seen either first hand, or in pictures, some outstanding structure modelling.  The first was at the Pendon Museum in England – which I visited in 1985.  The models were modelled after real buildings, and the attention to detail absolutely amazing.  I now own many books on the modelling techniques used at Pendon, and these still inspire. 

More recently, with the introduction of 3D modelling via CAD, many detail possibilities are becoming reality.  One on the best modellers has been Jack Burgess, on his Yosemite Valley Railroad HO layout.  Jack’s structures were based on the real VYRR, involving much research.  Jack became very accomplished with styrene fabrication, but his modelling of interiors has bordered on the extreme – for instance, turning a HO scale Coke bottle, and half eaten sandwich on a desk.  His station at Merced has a full interior – and to get around the interior being invisible from the outside, Jack has installed a periscope which views the highly detailed interior, and any trains that happen to be passing outside the station window.  He now uses a lot of CAD in his modelling – and his view on 3D printing is that Shapeways have spent $100,000 on a 3D printer, why compromise with a hobby version.

Locally, it is hard to ignore Ross Balderson’s modelling efforts.  His Sydney Station, and Elizabeth Street N scale layout (featured in AMRM issue 288) was museum standard – and his current project of Newcastle takes that modelling standard to the next level.

My modelling has a long way to go to reach these lofty heights.  But, one has to start somewhere, and skills learnt, will hopefully make future projects easier – even if it is “what not to do”

My last blog post on the Wagga Wagga Signal box showed the levers, and the block shelf.  But I knew there were more parts to install.  The disappointment with the UK signal box interior, meant a lot had to be scratch built

I thought I would start with the desk - my Cooma signal box interior picture showed a roll-top desk, which seemed an easy one to start with.

I got the desk sizing by checking with a Carters Australian Antique guidebook that I happened to have.  This is not quite the Cooma style, but it was only the dimensions I was after

What 27 pieces of styrene, and a spare hour  can make.  The 10c coin is almost the same size as a US quarter for anyone not familiar with  Aussie currency

I also made a swivel chair, sized on my chair in the modelling room. It was only after showing it to others, was I informed that in 1970, swivel chairs would have 4 leg supports, and not the 5 that I have modeled. One is always learning  

One of the important items was the staff instruments.  But what style were they?  I didn’t have a definitive picture of the instrument in the signal box, but I suspected miniature.  I confirmed this after reading a passage in the book “Safe Signals” which stated that all the token staffs on the Junee-Albury section were replaced with miniature staffs in 1931.  Did anyone make a miniature staff instrument in HO?  Model Engineering Works does make a resin model of a large staff machine, and a purchase would have saved a lot of time.  But, I thought I would see if I could fabricate one.  My result is pictured.  The size was slightly larger than HO, but it was based on the thickness of the 10 thou styrene, and proportioned accordingly.

Scratchbuilt staff instrument, on a plinth.  The clock was one of the few parts I was able to used from the UK signal box interior kit that I had.  Very similar in style to a Seth Thomas clock, used widely on the railways.  The clock face,  hands and numbers are all pencil scratches. Don't look too closely 

The pot belly stove was another  part from the UK signal box interior kit that I could use.  Like the staff instruments, it is over scale for HO.  Was this the design used in NSW signal boxes?  Probably not, but until I have a picture, it will do.  A bucket is used to fuel the pot belly stove – which I turned to a conical shape from a large styrene sprue, painted, and filled with “coal”.  

I made 3 of those staff instruments - two for the main line north and south, and the third for the branchline out to Ladysmith.  I was advised by an ex railway signalman that the staff instruiments were most likely near the door, but their siting is a guess. Same with the desk and swivel chair.  I have put these on blu-tac in case I have to relocate them.  The pot belly stove, and bucket of coal are approximately in their final positions.

 The door for the signal box was missing.  Both Wagga, and Bomen had a window in the door, but Greg Edward’s data sheet signal box diagrams only showed a solid door.  I found a prototype window door at Stockingbingal a few weeks ago.  To make it, I tried a different technique.  I cut out a block of DVD plastic to the size of the door, and used a bow pen to draw the mullions to the window.  Then added the styrene strip to the outsides, and painted over the door.  Results are encouraging – and the painted mullions are a lot finer than the styrene ones I made for the windows.  I may have to revisit the signal box windows at some stage.

Stockinbingal in August 2019.  The station had been "restored" to a heritage scheme, although now sadly neglected.  The original signal box though had a sign saying that the signalbox was still operational.  With the alignment of the new inland rail coming through Stockinbingal in the future, who knows what is in store for this station

A railway padlock now secures the Stockinbingal signal box door

My Wagga Wagga signal box door.  I even fitted a door handle - actually the head of a pin.

Each staff instrument needs an external bell to inform the signal man of changes.  I have fitted a block shelf with 3 shelf bells on the wall behind the staff instruments

Clock, bells, stovepipe extension, and door added to the wall.

 

2 more block shelf instruments, and a station diagram added to the rear wall.  I am not convinced on the size of the diagram, but it does seem to fit the size of the pictures I have of the real diagram

On the outside of the signal box, I fabricated a stove pipe for the roof.  A “WAGGA WAGGA SIGNAL BOX” sign printed on paper, adhered to styrene, and dull coated to remove the paper look.  To finish, some powder weathering on the roof, and on the clapboard

Still missing is the porch light, and of course the signalman.  Something for the future when I rediscover the microLED lights I purchased last year

Stovepipe made from 2 styrene rod shapes.  The weathering on the roof, and clapboards doesn't show up that well in the direct sunlight

View of signal box from the Albury end

An old adage in modelling.  If you model something badly, it is worse than not modelling it at all.  The eye will quickly pick up an error, where an absence is not readily noticed.

Time to move onto something else.

I will leave you with some signal boxes pictures on the south that may be of interest.

Happy modelling.

Harden South in 2013.  The signals are no longer controlled through this box.  The "Bushells Tea" sign on the building in the background was also spied and later photographed   - never let a chance go by.

Interior of Harden South, photographed through the window on the door.  Most of the parts that can be removed have been.  Even this abandoned view can give clues on what was here.  The cupboard on the far wall is something I haven't modelled for Wagga, and maybe need to.  The colour scheme for the walls.  In time, images like this could be valuable for historians. I understand that the stairs leading up to this box have now been removed. 

Travelling to Stockingbingal, I stopped at Cootamundra West.  The signal box is on the platform.    Again, abandoned, with  asbestos issues, although I noted a newish looking Fujitsu split air conditioning unit installed   The telegraph pole looks like it was not rationalised before being abandoned

Inside of the West Cootamundra Signal Box.  Picture taken through a broken wall fitting.  Not much left

The telegraph pole next to the one on the Cootmundra west platform is being covered by a tree, but again, great details exist for modelling

Wagga Wagga Station Building - introduction

Wagga Wagga Station Building – introduction

As I was growing up in Wagga in the 1960s, the Wagga station became very familiar, as most of the trips to visit the relatives in Sydney, and Melbourne, involved train travel. 

It was only later that I thought I could design a model railway based on Wagga, and later still that I became aware of the history. This process is still occurring.

A tinted postcard view of the then NEW station

The NSW Railways finally reached “South Wagga Wagga” in 1879.  A substantial building was designed by John Whitton (the NSW Railway Chief Engineer at the time), and  constructed to serve this growing town.  The station was built by Charles Hardy, the same contractor who had constructed the North Wagga Wagga (later Bomen) station.  Whether the station was ready for the first train is still being investigated by the Wagga Wagga Rail heritage group.

As built, and as restored to Heritage condition. (Image from the internet)

The station included a railway refreshment room after 1917, in addition to the standard station facilities.  There was no accommodation, although a number of hotels were situated within walking distance, close to the station.

A strange brass plate imbedded in one of the walls advising of the 80th anniversary of train running.  However, there is no opening plate visible, which adds credence to the station not being opened on the first day of train operation

Over the years, the station has been modified with “additions”, and internal changes to the room layouts, and purpose.  But compared to the current heritage layout, the earlier additions made the station look awkward, and less visually attractive.  My layout will display the roadside view to the aisle, and gives me a dilemma. Whilst it may not be correct to the 1970s timeframe, I prefer to build something that is pleasing to the eye.  The added bonus is that the details of the station can be photographed, and measured.  The downside is that there is a lot more lacework with the heritage station style, and I don’t have the current interior plans.

Image from the NSW railway archives - supplied to me by Bob Stack, shows the post 1917 modifications

My photograph from the early 1980s shows the additions added earlier.  I must also add that the colours are uninspiring

An image from 1954 - during the Queens visit.  The bunting would have been interesting to see in colour 

I am indebted to Bob Stack, as he has provided me with plans of the station to fit the 1970s timeframe.  A earlier (1879)  set of plans in the end papers of the book “The Greatest Public Work” by Robert Lee

 

The station was repainted in 2018, and the roadway rearranged yet again.  I have yet to meet anyone who prefers this colour scheme over the previous heritage red

Construction of the station will take some time.  All of the window and doors are surrounded by shaped plaster/concrete, which is going to be tricky to emulate in miniature.  The options are

1-    construct from scratch – customwood, brass or plastic could be used.

2-      Use 3D printing.  Most home printers would not give the nice curves, although a rough 3D print could be sanded smooth.  Better printing, such as through Shapeways FUD would leave me with a sizeable hole in the wallet

3-      Laser cut thin layers of card, plastic, or wood, and laminate these into a 3D shape

4-      Cast duplicates in resin, using a scratchbuilt pattern created in step 1, molded in rubber.

The refreshment room end

The Parcel Office end

         

        

Many NSW stations had Palm Trees. The seeds were brought back by WWI veterans after the war, and planted, I don't know if this tree was one of those, but it is a feature of the station that needs to be modelled.

By 2017, the sidings on the right were not only disused, but actually disconnected from the main line.

At this stage, I am not sure how many differing types of window and door surrounds are needed.  I am hoping that I will have this answer during the measuring phase. 

Then comes the iron lace work.  It  may be possible to print the designs on acetate, although etching a  brass sheet will give a far better result.  Fortunately, this stage is not integral to the main station construction, so I will have time to ponder.

Some of the above techniques are new to me, so I do not anticipate the Wagga Wagga station will be a fast build.   The next step is the photographing, and measuring phase – similar to my Bomen Station build. 

I’ll get back to finishing the Wagga Signal box shortly.

Happy Modelling