steve22

Another gem in the making no doubt.  Job, a serious question - do you plan these dioramas over time or just see a scene in your mind's eye in an instant?

Good and interesting sentiments, Job, with which many of us will agree.  The things we did and the people who encouraged us, and how much we now look back and value them - the layouts, the buildings and the people.  I'm sure that you and your own modelling now provide the inspiration for many of us on the forum.  As an example, I was drawn to read this because of the title, 'How did I get into this...'  I hadn't looked closely to read who had posted it.  I read with growing interest until I saw Ducketts' corner shop and I then knew exactly who the poster was!  So, there we are, the inspired becomes in turn the inspiration for the next person, literally down the line.

I was thinking early evening, maybe not enough red though - but I know what Mikkel means, it catches the eye.

The photos show all the thought you've put into this.  Very pleasing to follow your work, looking forward to more.

Wishing you all the best with this, Jules.

Hi Job, yes, I did realise that you didn't have a copy of Gloucester docks in mind.  Do you have particular information in mind?  My time in Gloucester goes back only as far as 1990, so I still feel a bit like a new boy.  I can ask around if there's any appropriate information and images of the docks in the 1950's.  Can't promise anything but I'll willingly do a little research for you.   

Hi Job, great to see the Atkinson painting of Gloucester Dock.  The real thing is just three kilometres or so from my home.  When I lived on the other side of Gloucester it was fairly easy and quick to walk in (about two kilometres then) and the easier route was along the canal towpath and along where you see the railway line and people standing.  The warehouse to the left has since been demolished though I think it's where flats have gone up now.  The warehouse to the centre of the painting and some along the right are still standing in real life, serving the Council Offices and various retail premises, places to eat, etc.  Tall ships still come into the docks for re-fits and repairs I believe.  The area still retains a sense of the past though the railway lines which quite frankly, went almost everywhere around the docks and between the warehouses have now gone.  Several wagons were preserved and on show on a few remaining tracks; must check if they're still there.  All the best with the model - will watch with interest!

Lovely!  I really do love seeing animals caught up in fun and wonderment - thank you John, thank you, Jessie.

A little bit off topic: I've always liked this class of loco and the opening photo brings back memories of me selling the Mainline models (c1980) when I worked in a model and toy shop.  I bought the green BR version, 3210.  For a short while I had a very short terminus to fiddle yard layout and, typical of the weak motor that 3210 had, it needed a fair bit of current to move it.  So it and its two coaches would speed out of the station and within a yard I''d be slowing it down pretty quick!  If the loco was running in reverse it also had the habit of derailing on the Peco 3-way point when entering the fiddle yard.  A good looker but not a happy runner.  Your other pics show a much more solid type of motor.

James, as I don't know anything about painting locos, wagons, etc, can I ask how did you decide on a coat or two of leaf green as a base.  Was it because you knew it would give the depth of finish you were looking for?

I've got both foam and foamboard here in my study.  I never get a really clean edge using the foam and sometime that doesn't matter too much.  But looking at your photos it seems if I use the foamboard for my buildings I should be able to get a very clean, straight edge.  Very helpful to see how you do the bracing, steps and window frames too.  Thanks for posting this.

Hi RobboPetes, I did this same body swop back around 1984 when I had a small 'N' gauge layout for a short while.  I bought myself a green Farish Brush Type 4 for Christmas which would always ride over a Peco point blade as it came off the curve.  A quick check revealed no chamfer on the wheels; the leading outside wheel would hit the slightly protruding point blade 'head on' and derail.  As I worked in a model shop at the time I took the loco back and over a lunch break I found that the body would fit the Minitrix chassis.  I did have to remove the glazing though.  Added ventilation I reasoned!  I always preferred the Farish body (looks) and Trix chassis (running and build qualities) anyway so I exchanged the Farish model for the Minitrix, ordered a Farish body and never had a problem again.   I think it was not too long after that we had the first of the Farish Class 25 models in.  As I put them on the shelf the first thing I noticed - a most obvious chamfer on the wheels... 

I said this was going to be good when you just had a goods platform, wagon and bit of track to show us.  I very much mourned Kylesku's and Mound's passing but assured myself that something well worthwhile would rise from the ashes...  and here we are - lovely stuff, once again.

I hadn't thought about the sound deadening aspect of Copydex before.  I do recall the smell though!  I'll give it a try again, sometime, and I may try the use of droppers.

I'm just picking up on this blog.  Ballasting looks very neat and I do like the station on the curve.  Must delve into the rest of your postings.

Quite excellent!

An informative article that will be of use to others, no doubt. Good close up photography too. Thanks for this.

It looks very good purched on the embankment. I can remember 41304 running light through Meole Brace towards Shrewsbury c1964, maybe 1965 on the Welshpool line as we called it back then. That's as Cambrian as I can get and running light suggests it had only gone as far as Hook-a-Gate depot? My model, 41313, ran very slowly and sweetly until a front driver parted with its axle.

I've taken heart seeing this. I belong to only a very small club but several members are electronically minded and even on our 00 Test track (very simple oval with passing loop and train detection to switch the points) there is a veritable spagetti underneath - admittedly now very neatly clipped. As an electronic layman, maybe I needn't have pondered why so much wire was involved. I'm tempted to tease and say I'd show you my 'control panel' but I've lost it at the moment; then again, one clockwork key looks the same as any other...

Looking very good Redgate. I've just made my first two 4' x 2' boards a'la Barry Norman; ply with pine squares sandwiched in between. 4mm ply though and a slight warp or bend as not all my cuts are quite square, sadly. I'm going to replace the ends of the ply frames with solid, accurately cut 3" x 1" and see what happens then. Yours are lovely and substantial - giving me inspiration to keep persevering.

I had the same idea in my mind a couple of years ago for my shed layout. I even built a bit of baseboard with a slope down to where the cassettee array would be. This may sound mundane to many - it was quite an achievement for me, I mean to actually get round to doing it! I then realised that where I might place the up and down cassettes would be very difficult to access - and, quite simply, I couldn't visualise how to construct it anyway. NowI have seen what just might be... Thanks very much for showing us this, I really like it.

I actually live in a very long bungalow but this makes it look like a shed. Impressive work and glad you're next tackling a viaduct. That'll be worth seeing - more power to your scribing!

Steve.

Hi Chinahand,

I've wondered myself about this material. Instead though, I decided to try 3mm Depron sheet bought in large packs at Focus. I've laid down a section through the station but won't be wiring the layout up for running till probably the spring so can't say much about it yet. Like others no doubt, I'll be interested to see your further reports on this foam. Thanks for the description and the pics - very helpful.

Steve.

Thanks for repeating the process again, it reminds me of why I put a sheet of embossed plastic card on my desk a couple of months back! Must clear the desk, unearth said card and have a go if I get some time after Christmas. All very inspirational, as ever.

Steve.

Hi there,

until I took a quick peep at one of your other postings I thought the road was a stream flowing through the village. What took my eye was the small white 'waves' as I thought they were; when they came into view I felt a real sense of movement in the picture. Looking at your other postings I like the way you've placed all the shrubs on the small hill beyond the woodmill; quite a few without looking overdone and spread out far enough to look convincing. That's the art I've yet to master.

Steve.