The silence of the cabinets.

[John Candy]

The indoor/under cover equivalent of the outdoor payphone kiosks were known as "silence cabinets".
These booths were designed to exclude (or a least attenuate) the noises from the immediate vicinity and locations included railway stations, indoor markets, large department stores, etc.).
They were usually constructed of wood and most often varnished rather than painted. There were many variations in the detailing and these files are representative of the genre.
They were to be found in rows of all lengths, from a single booth up to a dozen or more, according to the importance of the location. The larger collections were to be found on the concourses of major termini or at busy junctions.

The photo shows the "hot off the press" first example....the first in a row of four.





The screenshots below show a selection of the components included in the scad files.














The nine files to produce the variations are:-
http://gauge3.info/openscad/front_frame.scad (one door frame per booth)
http://gauge3.info/openscad/door_bifold.scad (two door prints per booth)
http://gauge3.info/openscad/end_row.scad (two required for any number including a single booth)
http://gauge3.info/openscad/back.scad  (one for each booth)
http://gauge3.info/openscad/division_panel.scad (one required between each adjoining booth)
http://gauge3.info/openscad/roof_standalone.scad (roof for single standalone booth)
http://gauge3.info/openscad/roof_intermediate.scad (one for each booth excepting the outer two)
http://gauge3.info/openscad/roof_row_end.scad (two for any row of more than one)
http://gauge3.info/openscad/floor.scad (one per booth)

NOTES : The roof sections are of three types; the standalone (for a single booth); an intermediate pattern for the inner cabinets of rows of three or more booths and an "end" type for the outer cabinets of a row.
The floor fits inside the four walls : Adjoining cabinets have "blind" plain divisions but the outer extremities of a row have panels and windows.

The doors are of the bi-fold type (two prints required for each booth). They can be fixed "closed" or left in any partly-opened state. I seem to remember that, on at least some examples I used in my youth, that the internal light came on when the doors were closed (a switch built into the door frame .... no "PIR" sensors in those days)!

The payphone equipment can be any type suitable for the period being modelled : These types of cabinets were certainly in use into the late 1960's until more "vandal-proof" payphone designs appeared. Whether any are still in use as payphones, I do not know.

John

[John Candy]

I needed a figure to occupy one of the four telephone booths on the station concourse.
After spending several wasted hours, searching online for a suitable G scale without finding anything suitable, I turned to my "junk" box.

Several years ago, I asked GRS to send me a selection of seated figures which were suitable for a British 1930's scene (intended passengers for my GWR diesel railcar). Their interpretation of that period and "British" is rather different to mine! I received about 80GBP worth of women in trousers, blokes in shorts with baseball caps, and other, obviously American and not pre-war, figures.... at least they were "seated"!

Nine (which could not  be easily adapted/disguised) were consigned to the junk box.
Well, the figure required for the phone booth would only be visible in part and one of the junk figures looked as though it may be passable for a "public schoolboy" wearing a straw "boater" (he is studying a book).  Phone booths have directories, so the book could be a directory and he is searching for a number.

He obviously needed to be standing, so his legs were cut off at seat level. After some trimming, reshaping, his straightened legs  were extended with wire and plastic tube and refixed to his torso. He needs some Isopon padding added to the new sections and a repaint.

He is not quite a Lowry "matchstick man" but his legs will be completely obscured once inside the booth.

John.
 

[John Candy]

I'm hoping my repaint has made him look more "Home Counties" than "Bible Belt"; less Harvard and more Harrow!
John.

[753]

John

Your recent posts are very interesting, are you building a main line terminus?

Mike

[AshleyW]

or is it Van Morrison ??

[John Candy]

 Mike,
On my line I have five stations, including a junction with 6 platforms and a large terminus, both of which could justify a bookstall and telephone booths.
Photos attached of the two largest stations (taken several years ago).

View from main terminus buffer stops (taken prior to the building of platforms).

View of main junction station from bridge.
Regards,
John.

[John Candy]

The row of four booths is now complete (with the chap wearing a "straw boater" in the occupied booth).

The occupied booth is lit by a small LED and the occupant can be seen browsing (authentic pages from) the 1925 London directory!

John