HOW TO BUILD a Station roof

Think of a terminus station in a large town or city and we usually imagine a number of platforms and an overall roof of some description. When we decided to realise one of Paul Lunn’s layout plans, a roof was deemed essential.

While various 4mm scale kits are available, in a variety of materials, they’re usually limited to fit within a certain footprint. However, in our case, the platform arrangement meant that a kit would have to be modified significantly to fit. After a little thought, I realised that it would be quicker and easier to start from scratch and build a bespoke roof to fit the plan, rather than adapt a kit.

With lots of plastic strip, section and sheet already ‘in stock’, a fairly utilitarian design was sketched out, which would further simplify the task. It has none of the ornate flair that we associate with the Victorian and Edwardian era. Rather, the simple profile suggests a post-war rebuild, perhaps due to bomb damage or rationalisation.

Scratchbuilding can be a hugely rewarding enterprise, although amassing a stockpile of suitable materials doesn’t necessarily make it the cheapest option. However, economies can be made, such as simplifying the internal truss arrangements which will not be readily visible. I did end up ‘cheating’ a little, by employing part of a Ratio platform canopy kit as an add-on to one side of the main structure, providing a modicum of shelter to the least important platform.

Much more detail could be added to this basic design, especially by adding gutters and downpipes, while the upright supports could be made a little more interesting. But part of the fun was to see how quickly and simply I could build a convincing-looking roof. After a few enjoyable afternoons, the finished structure certainly looks at home on the layout.