Victorian London terrain ideas

[Bullshott]

I'm planning my next set of 28mm terrain (to follow on after I complete my Chinese town). Since I don't currently have anything for Victorian London I have been looking for ideas for a stand-alone project that I can use for gaming Gothic Horror / VSF games without having to make several streets of buildiings.

On a recent weekend in London we visited Kew Gardens, which got me thinking that a large building surrounded by a park or gardens would make a good game setting. Something like this .....





....but on a smaller scale!

If I do the building right I can use it as plant house (as at Kew), an exhibition building (think of the Crystal Palace that housed the Great Exhibition) or a museum.



I can get the effect I want for the roof using this the Peco Overall Roof set:

http://www.antics.ltd.uk/1251_1_1032600.html

But what do I make the walls from? Ideally I would like to make walls with lots of glass like at Kew, but the solution must be affordable and not too time consuming. Can any of you help me with ideas for completing this project?

[Malamute]

Great idea, Would make a superb centrepiece for a game.  The first thigh that comes to mind is what about cake decoration pillars with clear plastic for glass panels?

[Hammers]

I am going to nick this idea for my museum.

You should be able to do some kind of reveresed glassing meaning you start with a large piece of glass (clear acrylic sheet) and glue styrene strips onto it to represent the cast iron support structure.

[Westfalia Chris]

Another possibility would be to only make "key components" as solid pillars. You could then do a "wall-of-glass-and-iron"-design using a graphics program, print it out and have it copied onto clear plastic (most copy-shops do these for "overhead presentations").

[Hammers]

Aye that would work to and is probably a bit cheaper. Sheet acrylic tends to be expensiveish in hobby stores.

[TadPortly]

Some useful cast items here including wrought iron columns, brackets, balustrades and odd fixtures and fittings:

http://www.scalelink.co.uk/acatalog/Duncan_Models__O__scale___________RETAIL_ONLY_.html

http://www.scalelink.co.uk/acatalog/Scale_1_43___Gauge_O____Echelle_1_43__0___________.html

http://www.builders-in-scale.com/bis/o-parts.html

http://www.langleymodels.co.uk/acatalog/Shop_Front_O_Scale_Accessories_8.html

[Hammers]

Some useful cast items

Good Heavens! I'm drooling, I don't mind telling you...

[Westfalia Chris]

Langley Models is an excellent company. I cannot comment on their mail order component, but I have bought their stuff repeatedly at Dortmund Intermodellbau modelling expo and was always very, very satisfied. Good to excellent casting quality, and fair pricing.

[Bullshott]

Thanks for the excellent ideas guys - I think I need to do some serious planning for this building. I like the idea of using clear sheet with pillars for the walls.

I have posted some photos I took of the interior detail  in the Temperate House at Kew - note the upper gallery level. Photos are here:

http://www.displacedminiatures.com/Bullshott/images.html?galleryId=2366&from=Victorian+terrain+ideas

[Malamute]

That is such a great idea for a centrepiece and very gameable as well, especially if you add the gallery.  

If you build it we need loads of photos and a tutorial on how you did it

[Bullshott]

If you build it we need loads of photos and a tutorial on how you did it

Will definately do that.

This is not going to be a quick project to complete. I have to complete the buildings for my Boxer Rebellion project first and need some terrain sorted for my 40mm Graven pirates.  Also, I want to gradually put together all the materials I need to get the right look  for the building before I start assembly (but I will build up my first roof section soon so that I have something physical to give me a feel for the size of the building).

The roof kit will give me a 20" (0.5m) long roof to play with. I am seriously considering using 2 kits to give me a 30"-36" long building with a raised centre section (with gallery) and 2 wings. The final building must strip down into sections for storage - probably into a centre section and 2 wings, each to be stored in an A4 photocopy paper box. The height of the building will be dependant on what I use as pillars and stairs to the gallery.

Here is another useful website for building materials:

http://www.yellowcatshop.co.uk/shop/default.asp?clientid=14&gid=4dmod&viewstate=32769&tabcatid=3500087

This is the only site I have found spiral staircases on. I will need 3 or 4 sections. They ain't cheap but will be essential for the overall look of the building.  Does anyone know of a nother source for a  1:48 or 1:50 scale spiral staircase?

[Malamute]

Bullshott, Have you manged to do anything with this yet?

[Bullshott]

Bullshott, Have you manged to do anything with this yet?

Unfortunately not yet. A combination of work, holidays, organising an event for my re-enactment group and keeping the peace with my wife has meant that this will be my main autumn project.

[Malamute]

Unfortunately not yet. A combination of work, holidays, organising an event for my re-enactment group and keeping the peace with my wife has meant that this will be my main autumn project.[/quote]

Looking forward to the autumn already, keep us posted