Two not-quite dioramas

[Dunalastair]

As I scroll through model photographs for my 'diorama' a day I can see that I still have a few substantial microlayouts to describe. Before I get to these, today features two rather absurd examples of narrow gauge electric railways. In both cases, the diorama is limited to the vehicle and the track it runs on - or at least a short section thereof.

 

The first is a representation of an early electric hare mechanism, as used at greyhound tracks. The first photograph shows a modern version in action.

 

 

Back in 1935, the mechanism was rather larger - here it is being maintained with the cover removed.

 

https://twitter.com/bushmanqpr/status/519926691612065792

 

Another photograph compares older and newer mechanisms

 

https://www.greyhoundinfo.org/?page_id=493

 

And here is my printed model, in two versions, large and small, showing how 3D printing makes scaling very straightforward. My 'rabbit' is flat rather than fluffy - it would probably not fool the greyhounds. Note the central pickup rail.

 

 

The second diorama (such as it is) is a different kind of target, as used by trainee tail gunners during the second world war. This also used a third rail, albeit with a different skate arrangement. Spotlights would have illuminated the target 'aircraft' at night.

 

https://tailendcharlietedchurch.wordpress.com/tail-end-charlie-ted-church/rear-gunner-sentinel-of-the-skies/gunnery-training/

 

And here is the model, 3D printed and slotted together like a balsawood kit. The support post is indeed wood like the original. Although the photograph is posed with gun and target adjacent, in action the trolley would have bene protected by earth banks, leaving the projecting target to be shredded by the guns. THey doubtless got through many wooden targets! 

 

 

Such target 'railways' were built at a number of locations, usually by the coast, e.g. at RAF Hells Mouth

 

Back to a more 'railwaylike' railway tomorrow.

Edited July 16, 2023 by Dunalastair

[009 micro modeller]

Very interesting. I haven’t seen an electric target range railway before - the one at Okehampton is petrol/diesel with ramps to stop/start the trolley, while elsewhere there are cable-hauled versions.