This was an interesting task - and will be part of a much larger project. The original sign once stood on the Metropolitan Railway’s goods depot in Vine Street, East London. The sizes and lettering where firstly guessed from a photo of the original, counting bricks as an indicator of overall sizes. Then it was sketched out onto a piece of card. For the G, D O’s and the S, I cheated slightly in that I drew these out using AutoCAD and then laser-cut a stencil in thin card which I used to draw around. Final tweaking of the white lettering and black shading took a while but it was worth it in the end. The overall sign was weatherd quite heavily to dull down the severity of the red, white and black, and also to represent the effect of the smog-laden Edwardina atmosphere of the time.

The brief from the Architect was to produce a ‘white card’ model of a large extension and internal re-modelling of this semi-detached house. The plans were being prepared as a fee proposal before lodging an application for planning permission. It was important for the Architect’s client to be able to gain an accurate impression of not only the proposed extension, but also the living spaces created and opened up by the re-modelling. Although 3D computer modelling was available, it was felt a model would be superior in being able to see it, hold it and move it around. A significant added dimension to this model was the ability to separate it at first floor level, thus being able to really understand the use of ground floor space. I must add that the client was thrilled with the overall proposal and, indeed, planning permission was granted.

The model was built to scale of 1:50 and uses mostly using high-quality card and MDF. The white parts were sprayed to ensure a uniform finish, including the base. Real maple details were added to keep the colour pallette and use of raw materials to just the two. thus ensuring a really crisp result.

Just finished (as of November 2018) this model of an LNWR Signal Cabin, to a scale of 1:24 or half inch to the foot. The overall base measures about 500mm x 250mm and is about 320mm high. As you can see it's a cut-away model showing the fully-detailed interior. It's my entry for the LNWR Society Modelling Competition and inspired by the isometric drawing of a similar cabin in Jack Nelson's iconic 'LNWR Portrayed' book.

It's constructed mainly from wood and mount-board, with details from styrene sheet, brass, perspex, real glass, brass and nickel-silver.

I gained a 'Highly Commended' which I'm quite pleased with - the certificate is now hanging proudly in the workshop! Well done to the Society for a great competition - will I be back next year I wonder...?!

Meanwhile, I am proud to report that the model was donated to the LNWR Society for educational and exhibition use. I am very pleased that it ahs gone to a good home and maybe I will get to see it again at a future exhibition!