Crate Lane Diorama

[TT100 Diesels]

Hi,

One of my recent projects was to create a loco display stand. I decided on a quick foam board  based two level display. But having started it, decided it might be a good idea to do some scenics to put the display into some context. So a diorama was born.

 

To be honest though, it is probably a bit generic, but as a first stab at a diorama, it was really fun to do, compared with loco builds where its all a lot more precision.

 

The main reason for it is to display traction and rolling stock at local 3mm society meet ups, because my layout is a home layout. It made the Society AGM in May, but was not quite finished then, I have since had a bit more modelling clay fun to top off the main retaining wall, reworked the bottom yard ground cover and added some detail and clutter.

 

Why "Crate Lane"?, Well it was designed to fit into a standard home storage crate, perfect to store it, keep the dust off and ease of transport.

 

A couple of pics show it at the AGM on its first outing, and also doubling up as a photo plank at home once it was finished.

 

Hope this may be of interest.

 

 

 

 

Edited June 20, 2023 by TT100 Diesels
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[TT100 Diesels]

I have dug out a couple of pic of the construction, not much really I am afraid, but there is fun on the kitchen table with DAS clay, for the retaining wall, I had a go at scribing in the mortar joints in wet clay. So it ended up a bit free form, on my layout, where I used clay previously, I let it dry and drew the mortar joints based on photos, then scraped them open. Still, the diorama was quick and fun.

 

The other pic is the base foamboard structure in matt black with the beginnings of the diorama work. Track is Peco TT120. So a bit of mix and match with the 3mm scale platform, half relief shed and rail vehicles.

 

The final pic is the initial ballasting

 

Hope this is of interest

Edited June 20, 2023 by TT100 Diesels
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[TT100 Diesels]

Thank you to the kind folk who have liked etc, especially as I only consider Crate Lane as a bit of fun really, I just wanted something to be able to display my traction and rolling stock. There are an awful lot of wonderful "modelling" dioramas in this section.

 

Just a final update for the moment, I have added a foam board back scene on two sides, its removable, I used self adhesive magnetic tape, so they also fit into the storage crate when out of use. 

 

And last Sunday, I went to DEMU Showcase and acquired a small oval of 12 mm gauge Tilling plastic pre ballasted set track from the DEMU second hand stall. So I now have the ability to have the display diorama and a tiny demonstration run. 

 

As an aside DEMU Showcase was brilliant, every layout, large and small was quality.

 

 

Crate Lane complete with its removable back scene in place. Its a neutral blue / grey colour, a Wilco tester pot of "Grey Skies". The reworked bottom yard ground cover can be seen to advantage in this shot. I am happier now, I ran out of time before the 3mm AGM so it was just an amalgam of different colour ballast then.

 

 

And with the Tillig set track oval. Its a poor excuse of an exhibition layout though.....! But joking apart, I now have the ability to have a demo run for locos plucked off the diorama display.

 

For any 3mm society members who may be reading this and are interested, Crate Lane and the demo track will be appearing at the Bingham Open Meet in early August. Full details in the latest society newsletter. But to reiterate, its a closed 3mm society do, members only.

 

Edited June 20, 2023 by TT100 Diesels
Sorting photos

[TT100 Diesels]

Well, Crate Lane has had two outings in the last week.

First, the last weekend in July, 29th and 30th, supporting Bluish layout  (3mm scale cameo of Reddish ETD) at St Johns School Railex, Trent Vale, Stoke on Trent.

Today, 6th August, at a 3mm society area group open meeting (East Midlands group) at Bingham, Notts. Complete with Tillig 12mm gauge demonstration run track. Mostly my stock, but the green class 15's, 16 and 20 were other society members locos.

 

As stated up thread, its more of an excuse to display stock really, but a bit of fun as well. Both events were very enjoyable in their own ways.

 

[TT100 Diesels]

Well, it has been quite a while since I last posted anything about Crate Lane, I suppose that there has been more to show on my main layout topic High Peak Junction.

 

Nevertheless, I have been messing about with Crate Lane as a photo plank, just a few trial shots with the tablet cam. I think for better results, working outside in daylight and using my proper camera will give better results, but a few pictures below of the proceedings so far.

 

 

Down on the depot sidings, a pair of 25's, 25125 and 25071 keep company with 08685.

 

 

After a spot of shunting, the same locos have shuffled around a bit.

 

 

Meanwhile, the 08 has turned up on the high level on the headshunt with a VAA van. 20154 whistles past on the main line.

 

 

With the 08 up to the high level to collect a VAA van a pair of 20's, 20154 and 20175 have pitched up outside the depot to join the 25's.

 

 

Just another view of the same locos.

 

 

Later the main line locos pushed off leaving the 08 on van shunting, with a collection of VAA and VCA types in the depot yard. From TMD to wagon repair depot.

 

It is interesting how a bit of close up work and cropping changes the feel, the previous posts showing Crate Lane as initially envisaged, a pure stock display diorama, whereas I am liking how these pictures bring it to life in a different way.

 

Cheers

 

TT100 Diesels

 

Edited February 24 by TT100 Diesels
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[TT100 Diesels]

Hi,

 

Crate Lane was out on the road today in a small way. It was a 3mm society East Midlands area group meet up today in the WI hall at Bingham, Notts.

 

 

I was able to display Crate Lane diorama together with the oval of Tillig snap together TT120 track. This was useful as it allowed demonstration runs of the traction and rolling stock on display and other members were able to run some of their locos on it as well.

 

 

Loco wise, it was a Sulzer theme, i.e. all of my 3mm Sulzer locos, including the nearly completed Class 45/1 (just requires glazing). My Class 101 Met Camm twin set gets a chance to stretch its legs on the test oval.

 

Cheers

 

TT100 Diesels

Edited April 14 by TT100 Diesels
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