I thought it was great and wished to copy it for my layout.
The initial wood pieces for the 2 main transformers were critical and luckily I had a friend who enjoys building wood parts like these.
So now the fun begins.
The transformers were put together and wired for lights.
Cone shaped beads will be used as insulators
The finished transformer
The next challenge was how to make the smaller six units so they didn't look homemade. This was accomplished using wood dowels with circles cut from styrene sheets. It was then smoothed using squadron green putty.
The insulators were painted a shiny reddish brown and the H beam supports were built.
I was afraid of too much bow and twist to the support beams so mounted them on a reinforced piece of plywood.
Lamps were made using pewter shades and thin solder wire, the bulbs are actually solder balls.
All other insulators were attached and the wire used was old phone wires painted engine black and then I used a grey wash on them.
The next challenge was to build a chain link fence that could look real even under close scrutiny. This was done using old metal window screening which already had a nice patina so it didn't need painting.
I had to cut it so that it ended up at a 45 degree angle like most chain link fences and in the past had trouble cutting the screen while keeping the proper width and angle. I found that by using 2" masking tape which was the proper height I needed and placing the tape on the screen at the proper angle made it a cinch to cut.
I also wanted the whole screen assembly to be a seperate piece for ease of removing etc. so I mounted the fence on to a wood frame and used plastic solid rod for the posts.
Finally I printed signs and mounted on styrene sheets.
Crushed some pea stone to the right size and glued in.
Made a gate and found a couple of guys with little experience to help bring this unit on line.
Oh and don't forget to lock up when you leave.
Hope this will inspire someone to do something and when you do, document it so that I can copy it.
6 comments:
Ray Excellent as always. I look to you work as a benchmark to achieve. This is one of those stick it in the middle of nowhere on a layout and it transforms it into a great focal point. It shows a greater understanding of the world and how it functions. Thanks for taking the time to write this one up. Its on my must have list !
Very well done, Ray! Very well detailed!
Ray, Another winner! And that padlock, terrific detail!
HI, how much is that? i need one.
Thanks, hfflorez@hotmail.com
I really appreciate this, AWESOME! I am just starting to put together a G scale railroad in my back yard in CA. but I am not talented enough to build this myself. I would be so greatful if you would consider making me the exact substation, and if you say yes how much would you charge me including shipping. Thank you for you consideration , this is one of the best custom built models I have ever seen you are truely talented. my e-mail is ljlobo@netzero.net, my name is Leonard Johnson and I hope to hear from you soon.
I am starting a G-scale railroad and would LOVE an electrical substation, would you be willing to make another one? I know you show how to do it but I am not as talented as you and yours is AWESOME! I first need to know is you would consider doing another one which I know had to be a lot of hard work on your part. Please let me know my email address is ljlobo@netzero.net. and even if you will not Great job you are very gifted. Thanks for your time, Leonard Johnson.
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