Tuesday, 2 November 2021

Wagga Wagga station veranda awnings - 2

 Station Awnings - running into trouble

LVR tour train leaves Wagga in the 1990s


After success with the etched brass ironwork, progress on the eastern roadside awning then moved to the decorative treatment of the veranda roof.  

The awning roof decoration is built up from styrene strips.  The little corbels are individually cut from 0.040 square strip, and cemented in position by eye.  

I wanted a design that sandwiched the etched brass in a shallow channel


The styrene is placed on top of the etch, and the small corbels provide a "key" to hold it in position

The future guttering is already in place.  I have found that it is easier to add and re-inforce the guttering during initial construction, than to try and retrofit later

Corrugated styrene was cut to size, and shaped.  Getting the roof angle was a bit of a puzzle.  After some trial and error, I then came up with a gluing jig.  The little extensions (the black tipped post) was glued to the frame, and left there whilst the corrugated styrene dried.  Later, the post would be cut off.


Checking the awning against the station showed up a problem.  The veranda floor sloped away to the LHS of the picture.  This was an error that had to be corrected.

During the recent refurbishment, the end of the station is seen. The concrete pad below the windows is flat. Note the chimneys still have the original colours. 


Trouble 1.  The last model picture showed up a problem that had developed since I started construction over 12 months ago.  The 53cm wide station had developed a slight upwards bowing at each end - around 1mm.  The solution would be to secure the station to a flat board, although this was not without concerns.  A suitable plank was obtained from Bunnings - large enough for a future diorama

Trouble 2.  I had NO half round styrene strip for the decorative columns.  I thought I did, but the 0.080 I had was too fat.  So I ordered some 0.060 - approx 1.5mm diameter - almost a match for the 1/16 tubing of the posts.  With the delays in Covid, it took 2 weeks for the postal service to deliver

Trouble 3.  How do I secure the awning roof to the station, so it can be removeable? 


Securing the awning roof with small self tapping screws seemed obvious, although the 0.040 x 0.080 styrene strip was just a bit on the small size.  Taking specific measurements, allowed drilling from the inside of the station structure.  Once the pin vice had made the pilot hole (#61 drill), the hole in the styrene was reemed out to suit the screw 

From the station side, the holes were drilled larger.  The white scribe line above the hole was the top of the corrugated styrene.

The plank.  The station is secured with 8 large self tapping screws.  It has taken out the bowing mentioned earlier.  The awning roof is finished, apart from painting, and some larger decorative corbels above the awning posts

The white columns on the corner "stonework" have yet to be painted.  The awning floor is painted, and permanently attached now.  The etched brass is removeable, held in place with the roof, which is in turn, secured with the screws 

Trouble 4.

Just over a week ago, whilst I was sitting at the workbench, Tracy deposited into my lap, a kitten.  The kitten was approx 3 weeks old, and had wandered out of the weeds (masquerading as my garden), whilst Tracy was watering.  Not sure, but suspect the kitten was dehydrated, and maybe abandoned by its mother - we had some feral cat activity in the last month.  We have named the kitten "Trouble".  Trouble is taking up a lot of my time  - and as I am writing this, Trouble wants attention

Trouble hiding in the fluffy blanket.  We are using a dog crate to keep her safe at night, and in case Tracy's collie dogs make an appearance

Contemplating what trouble she can cause, to live up to her name

Next step

Fixing the station to the plank is a two edge sword.  Gives me a solid base to protect the station, and size for a future diorama, but adds awkwardness to the construction, as the plank is unweildy and needs extra time to set up.  I can no longer use my workbench for fitting parts.  And whilst Trouble kitten could become a great companion, I am spending quite a number of hours per day with her - affecting my current progress.

Further work will be the remaining roadside awnings.  Hopefully  faster, as I am not inventing techniques

Until next time.


5 comments:

  1. Hi Rob, I have been following your work on Wagga for a long time now and just wanted to say what a great job you are doing on the station building. I think it rates with best I have seen on line and at exhibitions. Cheers, Phil Collins

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    1. Appreciate the comment Phil. Really nice. I will try and keep the updates coming.

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  2. Hi Rob.Love the kitten and the station building. A nice combination of trouble indeed!

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  3. Rob
    Very nice work and the station building is looking great!
    Ray P

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