Wednesday 25 September 2019

An Industrial Narrow Gauge Adventure - The canal side ladder



Regular followers of this Blog will know that I have been working on an industrial narrow gauge railway layout built to 1:27.7 scale or 11mm = 1 foot. The choice of such an unusual scale has meant that much if not all items needed for the layout have had to be heavily modified and/or converted from existing models, completely 'scratch built' or sculpted by me.

In these latest posts I will update the Blog with 'work-in-progress' images and text showing how the initial project is developing. For more information look out for the Narrow Gauge Labels to the right.

This particular post is a little out of sequence, showing as it does the small canal side ladder and how it was made. I thought that this little addition deserved a set of 'how-to' images pre and post painting.

The main construction was plastic card and plastic rod.


Glued together with Tamiya thin adhesive. This image shows the added detailing, nuts bolts and welded detail.


Then the un-painted steps in situ at the side of the canal basin between the huge wooden strakes.


Next the painted and weathered ladder glued in place but still needing some small detailing touches.


And finally, the real-life inspiration. A ladder at the side of the canal in the Droitwich Spa basin, opposite Waitrose. Similar ladders are either newly painted white or as seen in my example very worn and rusted metalwork. Also note the colour of the water.


Tony