Renovation Journal

R e n o v a t i o n J o u r n a l

Schloss Cochem - Constructing the North Wing

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21.1 ~ Schildmauer | Shield Wall

(Tuesday, April 18-20, 2022)

Contrary to my habit, I decided - as far as the Shieldwall is concerned - to assemble the wall parts first, and only then to paint them.

This is the only way I can get a uniform color.

1. construcetd, yet still clear of paint (left) - 2. Primer with a newly prepared paint. - 3. Lasur coating for aging

Some time ago someone on FB thought that I had made a mistake by placing a toilet on the inside of the wall.

However, this is a hoist.

Now, a real 'outhouse' or 'Plumpsklo' (lit. 'droppings loo') is located on the outer wall of Schloss Bran. As you can see... not too frugal.

The chimney also has a variety of colors. A little darker, where smoke comes out.

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As a separate kit, the Schildmauer (Faller 130691) will be released in 2023 as Faller Neuheit, albeit with one floor less.

Faller 130691 (New 2023)

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21.2 ~ Torstube | Gate Room

(Thursday, April 21, 2022)

No less than 12 pieces for this chimney

Unfortunately, this wall faces the back, but in my opinion it is the most beautiful part of the entire castle.

We won't get to see much from the back and side. Still, I wanted every part completely painted and patinated.

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By the way, in 2021 this Turmhaus was released as a separate kit as 'Townhall' (Faller 130821)

I purchased this model on August 8, 2024 during my Faller Gütenbach Visit, needed as a vicary to completing the Abbey.

See Chapter 2024-6

And by another way...

during my visit at Faller, I already saw one of the new items which was released in Autumn 2024 (Herbstneuheit 2024)

This Turmhaus was announced as a duplication or mirror building in white as:

'Stadthaus mit Narrenmuseum' (Faller 130694)

Faller 130694

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21.3 ~ Foundation, Souk and Lantern

(April 23-24, 2022)

While I was starting the foundation today, I wanted to make something beautiful out of this little tunnel.

It looks like an Arab souk...

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While the glue dries, I threw myself into applying the wall lantern at the front door.

Although the original has the lantern to the left of the door, I wanted to conserve this wall as much as possible.

Also, this part was already glued, and in order not to damage anything, I chose to attach the lantern to the side wall.

Like the House of Usher

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21.4 ~ Behind the Torstube

(April 25-27, 2022)

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And then I made a mistake by misreading and a certain lack of clarity in the manual...

Page 10, right upper corner, part 11/1 (foundation of the tower): this part can be placed in two different ways: either the bevel is to the left or to the right.

Only when the tower was almost ready and I wanted to fit it against the base plate, did my misconception become apparent.

The right hand corner is now 90^o, but should have been 80^o

Nevertheless, the painting of both stucco and Fachwerk match most perfectly.

The small niche under the windows will soon be given a lasur coating, which it lacked since I used the 'Rien Poortvliet' method of horizontal cloth rubbing.

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Some complain a bit about Faller's windows, as if it were just for prudence reasons.

Compared to the thick lenses from Vollmer, I experience greater satisfaction and precision when using the sheets from Faller.

Not only does the glass sit directly on the window, but I am captivated by its brilliance.

In doing so, I am extremely careful to avoid stray glue trails...

Since there are so many places where a lamp lamp fits perfectly,

I have decided to tear down the Grand Hotel of Vollmer after about thirty years and to remove all lamp sets

- which have never burned - and integrate them in Schloss Cochem.

Where each floor had separate lighting (including the ground floor, lighting not yet installed) and the two porches,

each with a micro cable bulb, I ended up with twelve lamp sets.

OUTCH...

I'll never forget the feeling of how I carefully lifted this whole building only by the two dormer windows

But yes, here we go.

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In the evening I decided that the beautiful tunnel would still be illuminated.

It required some improvisation when drilling...

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21.5 ~ From Tunnel to Bedroom Tower

(April 28, 2022)

I found this tunnel too beautiful not to provide lighting, although it is not prescribed.

But a 'little lantern' seemed in order here, although you will soon be able to see little of it. Ah, it's the idea...

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Well, and then came a big downer...

Due to a misinterpretation

- or perhaps just trusting that Faller would warn of every possible miss by means of a close up -

I put the base plate (11/1), which is not square, exactly upside down.
Perhaps the notch (invisible in the drawing, hidden behind the right side wall) should have warned me somehow...

But I went on ignorant...

To avoid later problems of short circuits, I opted for heat shrink tubing this time.

When I tried to fit the tower with the help of the base plate, the mistake came to light.

The angles of 80 and 100 degrees, respectively, were exactly reversed.

I managed to get one of the four walls off - despite being glued with Faller Expert glue - without breaking or bending it, thus saving the patina.

So far, so good!

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21.6 ~ The Balcony

(April 29, 2022)

For the upper balcony, two additional lanterns are fitted to provide some mood lighting.

On closer inspection - certainly after installing the two lanterns - I thought the balcony floor was too dark.

Therefore I decided to change color, that I particularly like afterwards...

Most of this painting will not be seen anymore and vanish behind walls...

I had to cut away some of this edge to connect the tower to the wall, otherwise there would be a gap of about two millimeters.

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21.7 ~ The Balconyhouse and some wiring

(April 30, 2022)

30.4.2022

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21.8 ~ The Upperfloor

(May 1-5, 2022)

With the door open, a small interior is mandatory. Faller base plate and remnant of the Busch stone structure.

The extra lighting in the cubicle is mainly intended to illuminate the balcony.

The one tower is fixed under pressure of The Two Towers...

It's a pretty complex roof structure, but all parts fits most perfectly

Four days later, the roof is closed...

And then the funpart: strips of tiles everywhere.

I love these contrasting colorways between wall and roof.

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21.9 ~ Preparing the Innerwall Section

(May 6-12 , 2022)

Much of this weathered stone structure will soon disappear behind other parts of the building. But the thought counts...

In the evening I decided to repaint the wooden decking.

Instead of the (Klingentorturm-esque) greenish black, it seemed to me everything was getting too dark.

Hence this lighter wood color.

Mask or no mask, I don't want to risk that light somehow shines through

No less than thirteen lights are installed yet. I hope I haven't forget one.

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Some chimney work and the bedroom balcony to end the day with...

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21.10 ~ Mathematics and Recalculation

(May 12, 2022)

The next day I had to do some maths...

With so many parts, things might shift unforseen.

A minor miscalculation. Therefor, I had to modify these walls a little.

Even in the manual the wall ran outwards.

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In 2023, Faller will again release a separate part of one of the towers of Schloss Bran.

These bedroom towers are now coming as large townhomes.

Faller 130647 (Neuheit 2023)

Speaking of news...

In the fall of 2024, Faller announced a smaller version of Schloss Bran, for those who either missed out or found the original model too expensive.

I was able to admire this model on August 8th, 2024, when I was allowed to take a look at the design department during my visit to the Faller Compound.

Faller 130819 | Herbstneuheit 2024

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21.11 ~ A new Extension

(Saturday, May 14, 2022)

The second ground plane will be applied today

There is no better moment than cutting the beautifully painted parts out of the frame

and putting them together into something beautiful.

I have applied extra darkening with paint to exclude any risk of light transmission.

Admittedly, more lights are placed than Faller has prescribed. The building just asks for it...

When pressing this extension after gluing, I accidentally pressed too hard on the front door. This one flew in... and that space was no longer accessible.

Anyway, with a trick (a stick with tape) I managed to get the door back in place through a hole in the bottom of the mask.