a laser mill kit

I know, I know. A mill scene with an animated waterwheel is a bit trite. Sue me. 

After looking over the multitude of kit options (I'd decided if students were going to build this I'd better start with a kit) I settled on Branchline's Weimar's Mill (which is based on a Ben King project in the May 1994 Model Railroader).

I haven't built a laser-cut wood structure before, and although it seems pretty straightforward I was very pleased to see pqe's recent thread detailing his experiences building and customizing the Branchline Laura Station kit. It was just what I needed.

But as I contemplated the multilevel arrangement of the structure, and the modifications I wanted to make in order to expand it to a car-spot worthy size, it began to seem as though a more architecturally straightforward building might make a better starting point.

Jeff Allen

Option 2

Instead, I decided to assemble the little stone powerhouse that comes with several of Railway Design Associates' kits. It satisfied the stonework jones that I'd acquired in the Erie locks.

It had the simple geometry I needed to create an achievable lesson for the kids. Rectangular plan and a gable roof with a 1:1 slope.

Jeff Allen

reverse engineering a lesson

Working backwards from the nearly completed model building, I took the approximate measurements and laid out two geometric "nets" which could be printed, cut out and folded to make a paper mockup of the structure. This would be the task for my students, but I had to run through it first myself so I could anticipate the sticking points.

I suspect that experienced model railroaders are likely to see this as a bit too basic, but I've learned that any task involving measuring and cutting can go wrong quite easily! 

If they have success with this I'll add another round using photo-printed textures on the paper to mock up the building material along with the overall shape. 

Jeff Allen

very clever

I downloaded a couple of textures from Clever Models, printed them, then cut them out using my net. Seven minutes start to finish - would have been nine if I'd popped the $2 for a sheet of windows and doors. 

I think the kids can handle this and feel pretty excited about producing something with enough fidelity to fuel the sensations of being "in the scene." I like it. 

I'm hoping eventually some students will take it to the next level by going out and photographing a local building themselves to model this way. 

Jeff Allen

Lots of great stuff

There are a lot of great cardstock models out there for various things.  

Go to RPGNow and take a look at Dave Graffam Games and Fat Dragon Games.  They do theirs in 30 mm for RPGs but scale pretty well.  I've done a couple of simple ones in Fat Dragon's "fold flats" as small as Z scale successfully.

Here's a link to that one.  Original, N scale and Z scale.  The small switcher shown is my original train from 1969, my postage stamp set I wore out but still have.... https://plus.google.com/photos/117471758026287878291/albums/5692212391479589985

kevin

paper models

Thanks Kevin, great resource! I took a moment this morning to check those out, and even bought and downloaded Fat Dragon's Capital City base set. They look very nicely engineered and should be quite appropriate for my students.

Last year I conducted a paper models elective and kids had a lot of fun experimenting with all of the options available out there. I've got a class set of cutting mats from that, and so far no trips to the emergency room resulting from dozens of twelve-year-old wielding x-acto knives! I'm pretty sure I'll be guiding students to work out most of the structures on the layout using cardstock before putting too much time into other materials.

Jeff Allen

Inexpensive training tools

They are great training tools; cheap effective and fun.

Plus they have "Smoosh" insurance; if you smoosh one, just print another 

kevin

Awesome

I love watching the progress on this it is definitely a lot more than me. We only just recently got the track  https://forum.mrhmag.com/post/we-now-have-track-school-club-beginnings-12200339 it is still progress though so I am happy.