The Whistle Post Tavern - The Whistle Post

2-8-2 · #1 (**permalink**) 12-23-2009, 06:37 PM

Some of you may remember, part of my recent train show loot included the "Saulena's Tavern" craftsman kit from Bar Mills that I picked up for $10. I've decided to rename the structure after the forums, and have dubbed it "The Whistle Post Tavern" and hope to have it become a typical trackside bar once it's placed on the layout. I'll have to custom make the signage. This is the first craftsman-level kit I've ever attempted to build, and I certainly picked a whopper. This was Bar Mills' first kit, and the instructions are extremely lacking.

Observations about the kit:
I've read many places that Bar Mills now includes better instructions in their other kits, but as I mentioned above, because this was the first kit, the instructions are horrible. The pictures are very small and blurry, and the whole instruction sheet is a disorganized mess. Those of you who have built craftsman kits before probably wouldn't have issues, but it has been interesting for me thus far to say the least.

One of the first steps is to glue bracing to the walls before painting, which I did. But the walls still warped a little. This is a very nicely detailed kit, but the wood is probably the thinnest I've ever seen. I opted to paint the structure Carolina Blue with Antique White trim. I toned down the blue with some weathering and have sanded the trim pieces for a slight aged effect.

The windows are very fragile. I'm actually surprised I managed to break only one piece during installation. The directions say that the kit includes extra windows, but be careful. The extras included are single piece (unlike the rest which are double) and are meant for sides of the building that aren't viewable. You're forced to use 3 single piece windows as it is, which is irritating. Since I had a spare window, I decided to open one on the second floor, which involved some micro surgery, but I think it looks cool.

It should be mostly smooth sailing from this point on, but it has been somewhat of a headache getting this far. The rest of the build is pretty straightforward, except for the tedious task of gluing each individual stair riser, which will probably be the ultimate test of my patience.

So here it is, kids! Still under construction, so no restroom, no barstools, but darn it...the sign is on the window so that means there's cold beer inside. Come on in and kick back a few!

2-8-2 · #2 (**permalink**) 12-23-2009, 08:12 PM

The burlesque room has been added to the second floor.

This picture is roughly 3 times the size of the actual building, which has an N scale footprint of 3.5 x 2 inches (including the sidewalk).

Catt · #3 (**permalink**) 12-23-2009, 08:15 PM

Looks good Tony.That blue is definately brite though.

ak-milw · #4 (**permalink**) 12-23-2009, 08:26 PM

Tony,
Do you think you could take a picture a little closer to the windows of the burlesque room????? I would like to see inside. Of coarse, just from a modeling perspective.

2-8-2 · #5 (**permalink**) 12-23-2009, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Catt

Looks good Tony.That blue is definately brite though.

LOL I told ya in chat last night that it was very BLUE! The color in the pic is a bit off from what it actually looks like. I have one of those funky curly-Q light bulbs in here for reading and it really brightens things up. Initially I was a bit gun shy about the blue, but now that it's assembled, I like it better.

ak-milw · #6 (**permalink**) 12-23-2009, 09:07 PM

Hey Tony,
Just to let you know, I am going through this post with my spell checker!

Sawdust · #7 (**permalink**) 12-23-2009, 10:55 PM

Very fine looking project Tony. I like the blue. Your spelling is fine but I believe your windows are upside down. Sill aprons are at the top. I can wiggle on this one because I have done it before. I hope I'm wrong.

Trainman1965 · #8 (**permalink**) 12-24-2009, 08:14 AM

You know it does look like the windows are in upside down. but still a nice looking building

2-8-2 · #9 (**permalink**) 12-24-2009, 09:58 AM

I've found pics of other scales, and the kit has different windows for the HO, S, and O versions...which feature a sill in addition to the trim piece at the top. For the pics of the N scale version (like mine), it seems that everyone has mounted them like I have them, and they're even that way in the instructions.

These is an N scale pic:

This is an S scale version. Also notice the different roof trim:

Catt · #10 (**permalink**) 12-24-2009, 10:08 AM

Tony, I like that blue and I think it looks good on the building.I was simply stating it is BRITE.

I was going to look for it at Hobby Lobby this morning but forgot about it while looking for other colours that I did not find.I will be going to Michael's after Christmas as they have a much larger selection of acrylic paint colours.