Jump to content
 

Dad-1's Diorama Story


Dad-1
 Share

Recommended Posts

Although like most I wanted a super large layout, but with almost no landscape scenic

modelling behind me I needed to experiment. I may have been a confident scale aircraft

modeller however this railway stuff was 'new' to me back in 2009.

 

Since then I have always encouraged others to have a go. Why be an armchair modeller

simply because you don't have : A) The space, B) The money C) Hands on experience.

Lack of time is little excuse as small simple dioramas can be made in day, although mine

have always taken months.

 

I'll start not at the beginning, but in 2011 with my Carson's Quay which was around 15" x 10"

although the exact size is irrelevant. I wanted to try a cobbled inset track, A hard water scene,

and include some lighting.

 

post-7874-0-87088800-1544469857_thumb.jpg

 

This was the extent of my planning - I prefer to fly free and get organic growth with all it's risks !

The intention was to use as much scrap, bits and pieces to keep costs very low.

 

post-7874-0-19049400-1544470244_thumb.jpg

 

A small amount of preparation needed where lighting is to be included, wires have to go somewhere.

 

post-7874-0-19721400-1544470335_thumb.jpg

 

Wall plaster was used for the dockside, then using a steel ruler and a sharp scribe cobbles were engraved.

Messy, but gave me more, or less what I wanted.

 

post-7874-0-76239100-1544470568_thumb.jpg

 

Card infills for workshops to fit into a couple of arches

 

post-7874-0-65070500-1544470723_thumb.jpg

 

Quayside gantry made from plastic profile, this was the only item that cost me money !!

 

post-7874-0-77660700-1544470895_thumb.jpg

 

The water colour was awfull and had to be changed

 

post-7874-0-84742100-1544471044_thumb.jpg

 

Then to the final photos I took

 

post-7874-0-46132300-1544471178_thumb.jpg

 

post-7874-0-62885900-1544471212_thumb.jpg

 

Should anyone find this sort of thread interesting I'm happy enough to follow with some of my more recent

pieces.

 

Dad-1

 

  • Like 17
Link to post
Share on other sites

I like the look of this one....I really will have to get on with my planned layout Carr Quays which I had planned to be a harbour scene in the 1970's. I just hope my painting and scenery efforts can make Wot Halt look right. Thanks for your comment and you are very right space is also at a premium as well as I live in a 1 bed flat so no room for anything...just glad I have an understanding boss and I can hide some of my model railway stuff at my workplace.

 

Already made a start on a second diorama...engine shed this time so I'll post pictures of the building of that as well...once I have worked out a name for it

Edited by jetmorgan
Link to post
Share on other sites

Ha, Understanding Boss ehh jetmorgan.

Back in the 1960's I was rebuilding one of my rally car engines at work,

hidden on the roof (concrete ceiling) of our office block. Those were the days !!

 

Thanks all for comments & 'Likes'

Off out tonight, but I'll add another of my earlier dioramas soon

There is always a shortage of 'finished' photographs as I drift into the next project

all too easily.

 

Dad-1

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

O.K, Lets try my 2014 diorama. A few different things to try.

First a piece of ply, this was my odd bit in the corner.

 

post-7874-0-77820500-1544645565_thumb.jpg

 

Nothing much, how about a theme, a one word theme "Bridge"

It would only have a very short piece of track on a bend over a road.

Such a bend would have the track with a cant - put some plasticard under one side of the track

 

post-7874-0-75771200-1544645775_thumb.jpg

 

Not a good photograph, but you get the idea.

This road was to be twisty and not flat. The only way I could think of achieving a half decent fit would be to make a paper pattern

that I'd use to cut out a plastic section from a large, double size, Slater's sheet.

 

post-7874-0-64093300-1544645950_thumb.jpg

 

Because this was going to be tight size wise I needed to make a pub that fitted the available space, an odd shape, but it worked.

 

post-7874-0-78712400-1544646073_thumb.jpg

 

Styrene was used for most of the infilling between ply support, but I decided to use as much real stone as I could find that looked right.

A fair old stock of various embossed plasticards was more than useful !

 

post-7874-0-19475700-1544646184_thumb.jpg

 

At this point things begin to come together.

 

post-7874-0-88949600-1544646317_thumb.jpg

 

As usual I add a skin of hard wall plaster, usually painted with dark earth enamel partially to seal the surface.

 

post-7874-0-47884100-1544646459_thumb.jpg

 

Early on I'd decided on lighting under the bridge and in the Fisherman's Arms.

 

post-7874-0-53277700-1544646537_thumb.jpg

 

Once grass is going on it comes to life, and that (lack of) planning has not caused a disaster !!

 

post-7874-0-59724500-1544646653_thumb.jpg

 

Then one last shot of it as near to finished as I think it came. As always I never quite finish !!!

 

post-7874-0-44425600-1544646743_thumb.jpg

 

I love dioramas and yes I have had a couple of disaster, but you learn something every time, even if it's the limitations of your skill.

Those skill shortcomings will only be overcome by trying and trying again..

 

Hope this has not been too boring.

 

Dad-1

 

 

 

  • Like 4
  • Craftsmanship/clever 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Had a short break ...... Dealing with 'Club' stuff.

One item has been finishing my diorama for the club competition

that we held on 18th. Now that's over I'll add a few pictures.

 

This one started because I needed somewhere to put my completed

greenhouse kit. This had been laying in the loft for more years than

I'd like to admit too. What it needed though was some plants, No way

was I going to try and reproduce identifiable greenery, just some

colour.

 

post-7874-0-71495500-1545680173_thumb.jpg

 

Where DO you put something like this ?

I thought, Ahhh ..... a diorama, perhaps no railway content ?

 

post-7874-0-16591500-1545680363_thumb.jpg

 

Heck I'm supposed to be a railway modeller, better have something.

Just a siding ending at the bottom of the garden ?

The webbs on a piece of Peco code 75 rail were cut and the sleeper spacing corrected.

 

post-7874-0-75069200-1545680581_thumb.jpg

 

Having loads of plasticard a small cottage developed, all scratch built

including my window frames.

Trouble was it didn't feel quite right. I decided to extend by the cottage and

add a small stream.

 

post-7874-0-48772800-1545680806_thumb.jpg

 

During this time I also made a Ratio van kit for a friend, he does SR and using

that van I decided this must be Hampshire.

 

post-7874-0-49165800-1545681055_thumb.jpg

 

Need a couple of trees and water in the stream. Water weed ? For my first attempt

at that I stuck some suitable coloured embroidery threads at what was to be the bottom.

 

post-7874-0-95396700-1545681221_thumb.jpg

 

It then got left for months before I added the Aqua Magic.

 

post-7874-0-59094800-1545681302_thumb.jpg

 

Now I have to find space to keep another diorama !!

Would you believe I have a 16" square of ply here and ideas are flowing - Whats's next ?

 

post-7874-0-45522900-1545681422_thumb.jpg

 

Go on - If you have any scraps of ply, create a scene, great winter entertainment !!

 

Dad-1

  • Like 4
Link to post
Share on other sites

When I say any little scrap of ply I really do mean it.

 

3 days before my clubs 2014 exhibition I heard a 12 foot layout couldn't make it !

Could I do something ?

 

This with no railway stuff was done mostly during the exhibition

 

post-7874-0-75906900-1545683242_thumb.jpg

 

post-7874-0-36240800-1545683363_thumb.jpg

 

These things DO have a use - sometimes

 

Dda-1

  • Like 8
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

O.K. Those last postings were from Christmas eve and were historic pieces.

I had the urgent need to half make something as I was down to do Scenic Modelling

at out Winter exhibition on 12th January. My mind was quite blank, but on the bench

was the Railway Modeller freeby van body ....... must be able to do something with it ?

 

A few bits of scrap were joined together to make a suitable base for a farm scene. For

personal reasons called Topp's Farm and to include a small pond. Partially made to

allow me to lay some grass during the show, in between conversations !!

 

IMG_2907.jpg.3328bfd85311e2afade42c6cbe59d1bc.jpg

 

A little sand, matchstick & fishing nylon fencing, with the Aqua Magic pond.

 

IMG_2909.jpg.56efca19d3846ff8e023e0350d801ce1.jpg

 

IMG_2910.jpg.f84d52a1912c33d5c1b39c041e23de15.jpg

 

We ended up with this with an actual cost of nothing as all done from spare stuff laying around. Having said that

the horses and carts were items I'd been making for the clubs "Westbay" Layout.

Fun to make and dates on the pictures show how long it took to reach this stage ........... Time well spent ?

 

IMG_2929.jpg.aa65afe428bfda123c28a79edc8b721f.jpg

 

Note how slack the fishing nylon becomes when stored in a cold damp shed. It will go tight after 24 hours indoors.

 

Dad-1

  • Like 2
Link to post
Share on other sites

Some nice modelling here Dad-1
You are absolutely spot on - if you don't have the space, it's better to build a diorama or micro layout, rather than just dream about a layout you can never accommodate, or more likely, you will never have time to complete.....
Building these little dioramas helps to improve and hone modelling techniques, and if you are unhappy with something... you haven't lost a great deal either.

Why not have a go at a really small micro layout now? Perhaps even one without any pointwork, so it can be very small :)

Link to post
Share on other sites

 

On 12/12/2018 at 20:34, Dad-1 said:

O.K, Lets try my 2014 diorama. A few different things to try.

First a piece of ply, this was my odd bit in the corner.

 

Nothing much, how about a theme, a one word theme "Bridge"

It would only have a very short piece of track on a bend over a road.

Such a bend would have the track with a cant - put some plasticard under one side of the track

 

Not a good photograph, but you get the idea.

This road was to be twisty and not flat. The only way I could think of achieving a half decent fit would be to make a paper pattern

that I'd use to cut out a plastic section from a large, double size, Slater's sheet.

 

Because this was going to be tight size wise I needed to make a pub that fitted the available space, an odd shape, but it worked.

 

Styrene was used for most of the infilling between ply support, but I decided to use as much real stone as I could find that looked right.

A fair old stock of various embossed plasticards was more than useful !

 

At this point things begin to come together.

 

As usual I add a skin of hard wall plaster, usually painted with dark earth enamel partially to seal the surface.

 

Early on I'd decided on lighting under the bridge and in the Fisherman's Arms.

 

Once grass is going on it comes to life, and that (lack of) planning has not caused a disaster !!

 

post-7874-0-59724500-1544646653_thumb.jpg

 

Then one last shot of it as near to finished as I think it came. As always I never quite finish !!!

 

post-7874-0-44425600-1544646743_thumb.jpg

 

I love dioramas and yes I have had a couple of disaster, but you learn something every time, even if it's the limitations of your skill.

Those skill shortcomings will only be overcome by trying and trying again..

 

Hope this has not been too boring.

 

Dad-1

 

 

 

 

I love the composition of this diorama! Scenic features offset at angles create so much more interest :)

 

Marlyn

Edited by Marly51
Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks for the comments guys,

 

Marly51 appreciates the rather random shape, but my first diorama was very simple, however it was made for a purpose.

That always begs the question what is a micro layout, and should a diorama have live and perhaps animated elements ?

My first try was to produce a DCC programming track, intended to be a donation to a newly formed DCC orientated club.

In the end I kept it, and it's still sitting in my loft.

Deliberatly 1 metre long to accept one yard length of Peco track.

 

IMG_0211.jpg.b969fe257d7e3a52c6bbd4e054c1ab3c.jpg

 

As usual I wanted to 'Try' something, here you have safety railings made from straightened out paper clips. Cheap enough,

but I had to make a jig, or I'd have never soldered together, bent to order - the local lads out having fun !!

 

IMG_0244.jpg.d725d1b2331dd3a5d52855f8ca826ba9.jpg

 

This is the non-viewing side. No I don't like lollipop trees either, but being 'Free' from someone they were used.

My first attempt with Deluxe Products where I used their two-mix resin solid water. A small amount of food

colouring to give me a greeny effect.

 

IMG_0297.jpg.dc54d3416d3f5ce3a5679b040a00dbf2.jpg

 

Back then I was into blue diesels, here was my first kettle alongside the inevitable Oxford Diecast tractor, weathered to look used.

 

IMG_0309.jpg.5488d9ac01263cf240c0ae7e7e2e8dcc.jpg

 

Obviously  just the 'cameo' centre, I still like this photo an ideal place to photograph ones favourite locomotive !

It's a long time ago, but I'm certain it cost just a few pounds. A shortge of money shouldn't be seen as an obsticle

to creative modelling. To shatter an image of an affluent fussy modeller, that Hornby 06 IS STILL one of my favourite

locomotives and I have at least 80 ......

 

IMG_0313.jpg.a8e5d089a5f7d2922651a59dd84eeecf.jpg

 

I may add another diorama at some time - It will one of my failures, because we all have failures. Either something went wrong, or

just wanting to achieve something beyond ones skill levels !!

 

Dad-1

 

  • Like 5
Link to post
Share on other sites

O.K I said I'd be honest - Not everything works out right and here is a failure.

 

A failure in as much as I pushed the ideas beyond my skills and patience. The result is a small square that may yet

still have some potential. Back somewhere in this thread someone suggested even smaller dioramas have a possibility.

Well this was to be an 8" (200 mm) square. Showing a canal-side tramway, by an abandoned building with a hole in the

roof. It was to be in winter with a part submerged barge in a partially frozen canal ........ easy, I wish !!

 

IMG_1405.jpg.d2d8a246019e1572cac8c965ee59ac98.jpg

 

I'd just finished a Roxey Mouldings Tram which wouldn't over-fill the available space.

 

IMG_1407.jpg.69c2e3de5d359f45b5fbbfb7e7a6a7ab.jpg

 

I made the tramway track by filing Peco flat bottomed code 100 rail to fit with a 1.0 mm gap and attached directly to the ply without sleepers. This was later sealed in with hard wall plaster.

 

IMG_1410.jpg.e4bca8c4512976a2a3be089751035fda.jpg

 

IMG_1469.jpg.dcd8e464130ca4c75dc9eb5d4a7a2d6a.jpg

 

The abandoned building had to fit onto the back resulting in a very irregular shape

 

IMG_1470.jpg.a3d0326598912bc2968a4ec5c72a11f2.jpg

 

Roofing timbers were from various bits of plastic, I had with loads of individual slates cut from thin plasticard arranging so as to

leave a gaping hole.

 

IMG_1495.jpg.ca15dc2d4d416e63dd03f83571e3c89f.jpg

 

IMG_1954.jpg.69dbf4a8063e274d45b1da4eeb9bda7c.jpg

 

At this point I decided I couldn't make a canal barge and just abandoned, small rabbits and all !!

 

IMG_2107.jpg.970fc3cb6a2183ba6db8de85c2f36f94.jpg

 

How small is an 8" square ? Here with a Fairburn Tank sitting on.

 

IMG_2189.jpg.de98f93ba18af73803ab2eeb7a245b22.jpg

 

I have since found someone (I've forgotten who) that could supply me a partially submerged barge. It's just a little too long, but I can always trim slightly. That leaves me with the problem of filling with a suitable water onto which I could perhaps float some thin acetate to represent ice ?

 

IMG_2940.jpg.5a019a089b094c7435caf9d1a258bf49.jpg

 

I could always have binned it, although I hate admitting defeat and currently can't find the enthusiasm to do more. A little grass was laid when I thought perhaps I could forget the snow and ice and make it one of the perpetual summer scenes most models are based on.

So currently a failure in my books, should I press on, could I finish ?

 

Dad-1

 

 

 

 

  • Like 2
Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...