The MF&FMLR model railway project: Making the halt platforms and loading docks

Once I’d fixed the track to the layout baseboard, the next thing I needed to build was the halt platforms and loading docks.

The basis of each of these were two pre-cut pieces of basswood that were leftover from a previous model shipbuilding project.

I glued two of these pieces of basswood together using PVA glue …

… and once the glue had dried I planked each of the platforms/loading docks with matchsticks and PVA glue.

(As will be obvious, I did not worry too much about the matchsticks all being exactly in line with each other as I wanted to give the impression that these platforms/loading docks had been built on the cheap and as quickly as possible.)

Once the glue had dried, I trimmed the matchsticks and sanded the ends …

… and then gave the platforms/loading docks with a wash made from 50% PVA and 50% water, with a couple of drops of Humbrol matt acrylic paint No.39 Earth brown. This both sealed and stained the wood in one go.

I then glued the platforms/loading docks in place on the layout, trimming them to fit where necessary.