Marly51

I’ve just come across your interesting little YouTube videos on modelling in 009! I love all the research behind your micro of Porthmeyn and the layout is looking really good!

Oops, it’s been a month since I updated! We’ve had a busy time with various things, so modelmaking was put on the back burner, once more! However, I did manage to construct the Dapol ‘Pug’ chassis from their plastic kit, two nights ago, after spray painting the parts black. This kit was moulded in black plastic back in the Airfix days, which made life a little easier, especially with the moving parts! My next job was to work out a full size scale drawing of the loco, to make sure my Scotsman fitted, as the driver. The resin cast figure is very heavy, so I will need to create a balanced weight in the body work, and possibly add extra bogie wheels, if necessary. I definitely need to shorten the boiler, to leave me enough room for a ‘wacky’ carriage. Also, I may need to have a removable extension piece for the smoke stack, which can be stored in the box, to comply with the rules of the challenge.

Ben... This is wonderfully STEAMPUNK!

Delighted to see another well researched Scottish micro!

Thoroughly enjoying rereading this topic, Simon! Hobbiton beautifully modelled! About 10 years ago, I produced a small diorama of Bag End, based in a Games Workshop Middle Earth set my daughter purchased. A little bit of fantasy always lifts our spirits!

I didn’t know much about lorries in the 1950s, but our Edinburgh coalman delivered it from a flatbed lorry, similar to the Dinky Toys Fordson I used in my Tinplate Cakebox Model. We lived in a tenement flat and the coal bunker was located behind a cupboard door in the kitchen. My mum had to lay newspaper on the floor from the front door to the kitchen, then give the kitchen a good wash down afterwards, because the coal dust got everywhere!

I’ve always admired the United States Fos Scale Model kits, Keith, but they are quite expensive. Made the mistake of ordering a small one which cost about £25 and customs duty on it was £30!! However It will still be an attractive addition to an HOe micro layout I have yet to start! Your roof has worked out really well! Those kind of roof tiles would be difficult to create as a texture, unlike rows of slates?

Hi Johnny - your building is a cracking little model, I love the different textures! I personally enjoy these challenges, but don’t get too worried about finishing on time! One third of my projects always seem to await completion, sometime in the future! For me, too many years of meeting deadlines in the working world has led to a slower pace... model making or whatever you fancy should be enjoyable! Good luck! Marlyn

Hi Steve, Just came across your post. I have an old iPad2 and some websites no longer work on the Safari version there. We were warned that there that there were security issues with older Safari apps. It is annoying when this happens. I have a newer iPad, which is still OK, but prepared to have to renew that one at some stage!!! Built in obsolescence with these tech companies - such a waste of resources! But I suppose there is a limit to what can be upgraded, as technology does move at such a pace! Marlyn

I agree with you SpotIc! There is a charm about some of these old favourites. I have a few Superquick kits on standby for future models. I have recently bought an number of Bilteezi Kits in 00 and N scale, to experiment with, as well as some Alphagraphix kits for a new 0 gauge project. The challenge is in enhancing the models with some 3D techniques. Marlyn

The Dapol ‘Rocket’ came in handy for my first CakeBox challenge - ‘Steam Punk Themed’. From over years ago, I have an original Airfix ‘Rocket’ which was moulded in yellow plastic and a ‘Pug’ somewhere in the attic. Currently using the chassis of a Dapol ‘Pug’ for next CakeBox model!

The unpainted figures arrived today! Grandma Giles is slightly different from the catalogue image and a bit shorter than I expected, but looking at some of the actual cartoons, she is probably about right! https://i.pinimg.com/originals/d0/9c/e6/d09ce64034a6b19a33690184de992b87.jpg These figures are intended for a small garden railway I am planning to build in the summer, but they will double up for the this CakeBox!

It might be possible to use a craft knife, with a new sharp blade, to cut away a sliver of surface to the width and depth of your edging slabs, then lay some individual card slabs? The sort of fiddly challenge I enjoy....

Great suggestions, Huw. My model is now verging ‘very roughly’ towards G Scale, but will see what works best! I like the sound of your model! Marlyn

Thanks, Ben! That is a solution. I do have some if these disposable glasses somewhere. Finding them is the question!

Steampunk/fantasy definitely frees you up to experiment more! Look forward to seeing how your model develops!

Would it be possible to cut back the stone sets and use card or styrene sheet, the same thickness as your road surface sheet, to create the stone edging?

Not quite tall enough, I think, HonestTom! I am not a golfer so would have to purchase them. I may have to find a length of white-wood dowelling/balsa or play around with some plastic tubing of differing sizes! I’ll experiment!

Still working on a few details so I start building things in the right order. I remind myself to make sure I have allowed for the thickness of the baseboard and any backscene - don’t want to be nearly finished, then find it doesn’t fit in the CakeBox! I’ve been gathering a few more items for my loco, and come up with this for the construction. As always, certain details will evolve as I progress!

Keep going, Huw! I have found that modelmaking is the one thing I find really relaxing, even if I don’t always manage to finish all of my models. A tram micro or diorama would be great! I grew up with trams and have a static tinplate model, which I may use one day! Who knows!

I am fascinated by your approach! I want to build a small layout for the garden, but it would have to be able to be dismantled to avoid the severe winter weather conditions up here in the Northern Highlands! I would probably build a permanent railbed and find some way of fixing the track, which is not permanent! Possibly combine some real planting, like yours, with some kind of weatherproof back scene in places? Your scenery reminds me of those living roofs, where mosses and houseleeks thrive!

Some nice detailing on these gates! I still have to model something similar for my ‘Scrapyard’ CakeBox model! Sadly no 3D printer for me... mine will be cobbled from card and wire, but I enjoy the challenge!

Thanks for sharing this part of your build, Keith! It reminded me how making models, as a teenager, improved my understanding of geometry!

Great little project! The initial research is always fascinating. I was last in Killin in the late 1960s on a youth hosteling trip with school friends, when we hiked over the hills from Loch Ard to Fortingall! We thought we were the bees knees in our Army & Navy Stores kit! Your scratch built models are lovely... full of character!

I love discovering gem posts, like this one - great modelling tips! Thank you for sharing your thoughts and techniques, Mikkel!