When I
started this blog, I did state there would be delays and gaps, this has been
one of them.
Work on
the layout has been minimal since attending the Toowoomba show. Admittedly it was a bit of a rush to get it
to the stage it was to exhibit. Over the
course of the exhibition, we were looking at some pics of the station at Sturminster
and comment was made on the uniqueness of the swan-neck lamps on the
platforms. As a part of the prep to get
it ready, I had just used some Langley whitemetal lamp posts, which do the job,
but are not representative of the genuine thing. After some brain storming, and some test and evaluation,
a design was found, comprising a paperclip, a sequin, a glass bead and several
diameters of tubbing. A satisfactory
result.
At the
end of last year, our local N gauge/2mm FS group was set a diorama challenge. While the rules were thrashed about, it basically
boiled down to building a N/2mm scale diorama, based on UK prototype, a minimum
of one wagon and a length of track (60’) and it is to fit inside a standard
archive box. Challenge accepted.
I’d
recently come across a new supplier of scale WW2 military vehicles, Arrowhead Miniatures. In particular I liked the Scammell tank
transporter, and the diorama challenge gave me the reason to get one.
- Scammell, unbuilt
- Scammell, built
As with any new project, I leapt into it over
the Christmas period, gathering additional pieces of equipment and find other
spares within my horde. By late Feb a
firm plan was locked in, but then the impending deadline of the Toowoomba exhibition
at the end of May was approaching, so diorama work was paused. I’ve only now, this weekend gone gotten back
into it.
- posing the vehicles
- Landscaping begins
The archive
box measures 30 x 38 cm, which really is plenty of room. I’ve cut a piece of MDF to fit within the
box, and then sealed it. From there I’ve
laid some track and spent most of today shaping some foam to provide some
terrain and then used the last of my medical plaster (so much better than the
stuff you get from hobby/art-craft/discounts stores – and cheaper)
