cakebox 2018 Steampunk Themed Diorama

[Marly51]

A couple of photos, after adding some barrels, sacks, luggage and a hand trolley by the canal side and on the platform. The canal warehouse now has a sack on the hoist attended by a warehouseman. The ‘Steampunk’ stationmaster is now in place waiting for the ‘Rocket’ to pass through. I am making a metal ladder, from copper wire, to access the light tower from the canal side, and finalising the backscene. So that should be all, though no doubt I will add a few extras now and again! I still have a collection of cogs and chains.... Oh and there is a story?!!  

 

 

 

That squint chimney stack, needs an equally quaint chimney pot to finish it off! 

Edited July 16, 2019 by Marly51

[Edwardian]

Bravo!

 

Excellent modelling that very much captures the Steampunk vibe

[Marly51]

Putting finishing touches to the model today. The lefthand side of the backscene is hidden behind the station. I have drawn some random silhouettes of London buildings and combined it with a smoke effect photo to suggest a ‘smoggy’ London skyline.  Created in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.

 

 

Edited July 27, 2019 by Marly51

[Marly51]

A Corner of ‘Londinium’ Reclaimed:

 

“In the post-apocalyptic era following the collapse of the world wide web and mobile phone networks, a small group of followers of 'Steampunk' claimed their territory, the location of the city’s ancient settlement of Londinium. The buildings by the old canal were an eclectic mix, from medieval to Edwardian. The destruction of space satellites and power stations, throughout the country, forced this creative and innovative group to reconsider old technologies based on steam, clockwork and manpower. 

Some of the group had been members of a steam heritage society whose reinstated line already passed through their ‘hamlet’ and provided access to the country for food supplies, from farms beyond the city boundary. Coal was available from abandoned stocks, which existed near closed-down coal mines, where the seams of coal were still viable. 

The 'travellers', gypsies and ‘boat people’ were also great survivors. Depending on their traditional skills and knowledge, they travelled between the scattered communities, bringing news and goods for exchange? 

As well as the refurbished engine from the earliest era of steam, horse power was coming back into its own. An old coal gasworks provided energy for cooking, heating and lighting. These were dark days, after decades of trying to save the planet from pollution, people were returning to the old ways - what does the future hold for these survivors?”

 

 

 

 

Edited July 28, 2019 by Marly51

[GeoffinOz]

I am really glad you finally finished this one Marly. It has taken a long time but is worth all the hard work, I can see why you didn't finish it in time for the original comp. maybe Phil will do a theme for the unfinished from other comps class.

I love the back scene and the story. the tower on the right is fascinating, trying to work out it's purpose, maybe a signal tower for semaphore or homing pigeons or even a clacks (Disc World)

Well done  

[Marly51]

Many thanks for the lovely comment, Geoff! To be honest, I’m enjoying the modelling and don’t always feel like rushing to complete them, but I try to not have too many unfinished projects! That tower evolved from a free lighthouse kit download, which was intended for gaming. My cut down version was obviously too narrow to access the top without an external ladder. I was imagining the top holding some kind of light or brazier.

Planning to purchase Perspex display cubes for all my CakeBox attempts! 

[Kevin Johnson]

Hi Marly51. It’s great to see that you have completed this cakebox challenge and it’s a wonderful looking layout with some really nice modelling. 

I to like to take my time when creating a model.

[Edwardian]

Just seen that you've finished.  It has more than lived up to its considerable promise.

 

The Steampunk essence distilled ("Basset Lowke" should take notes!).

 

Brilliant stuff. Compositionally and aesthetically brilliant. 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 24, 2020 by Edwardian
spelling!

[CKPR]

On 28/07/2019 at 16:36, Marly51 said:

Some of the group had been members of a steam heritage society whose reinstated line already passed through their ‘hamlet’ and provided access to the country for food supplies, from farms beyond the city boundary. Coal was available from abandoned stocks, which existed near closed-down coal mines, where the seams of coal were still viable... what does the future hold for these survivors?”

 

This reminds me of a review in 'The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction' of the original 1970s 'Survivors' drama ,in which the reviewer wondered why the eponymous survivors put so much effort into locating and running diesel generators and then trying to find fuel for same when they could have just used old traction and stationary engines instead.