Andy Glover uses styrene sheet and strip to model an impressive canal side structure for his ‘N’ gauge layout with methods which can be used for 2mm or 4mm scales.
Scratch building a structure is a very satisfying and rewarding process, from researching the prototype and scoping it out to adding the final detail touches.
The Rochdale Canal warehouse is only the second scratchbuilt structure that I’ve attempted using styrene. It follows on from Stoneswood Mill which in turn forms part of my developing ‘N’ gauge layout of Gauxholme viaduct on the former Lancashire and Yorkshire route from Leeds to Manchester via Rochdale.
The construction of the warehouse followed similar principles, learning from my earlier mistakes and making a few new ones instead. If you were to build this model in 4mm scale for a ‘OO’ gauge layout you would need to use larger sizes of plastic strip for the details and 4mm scale plastic sheet for the stone work.
A little history first, before we get down to the build itself. The actual warehouse dates from the early years of the 19th century, when the Rochdale Canal had become the main trans-Pennine communications link between Manchester’s ‘Cottonopolis’ and Sowerby Bridge at the head of the heavily industria…
