Dad-1

A simple question Luke, When does a layout cease to be a Micro ? I ask because I don't quite know where to post a thread of say a 6 feet by 3 feet scene ? Dad-1

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 !! I'd just finished a Roxey Mouldings Tram which wouldn't over-fill the available space. 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. The abandoned building had to fit onto the back resulting in a very irregular shape 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. At this point I decided I couldn't make a canal barge and just abandoned, small rabbits and all !! How small is an 8" square ? Here with a Fairburn Tank sitting on. 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 ? 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

26" x 5" A nice kitchen table size. Dad-1

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

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 !! A little sand, matchstick & fishing nylon fencing, with the Aqua Magic pond. 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 ? Note how slack the fishing nylon becomes when stored in a cold damp shed. It will go tight after 24 hours indoors. Dad-1

He, He, Thanks to 47137 for noticing my answer to an ongoing search for quick, easy point changing. I have a growing passion for small, scenic productions. Never shy away from trying crazy ideas which is what Dioramas are there for. Dad-1

I know I'm not alone. Most of us start things that get left behind, sometimes for years while others get priority. Back in August when I took the clubs new layout home to work on it I'd already started a Dapol BR brake van kit. It has sat on my small 'coupling height' track section ever since, quietly mocking me. Well club layout gone, so time to finish ? Now added a TrainTech motion activated tail lamp. I can now finish if and when I find the rest of the kit !! I'm struggling a little with the new format, I put the above in and lost my way. When I closed out I thought all would be deleted. However here it is when I come back, but I can't seem to find out if the pictures are still around ? I fear I'm an old bumbler, certainly not IT savy, hence hating change (usually just for the sake of it !) Dad-1

Time to load the car ......... I thought that doing some scenic demonstration would be easier than taking a layout. Found out we can all make mistakes !! This is 'part' finished so I can lay some grass during the show. Note the white lower bar on the 5 bar gate, done to show how easily they are made to fit any gate post spacing. All this needs fitting into the car. Come see us tomorrow, it should be a good day. Dad-1

I suspect dodgy writing !!! Still Beaminster Town(?) is small enough to find us anyway !! Dad-1

Just over a week to go. Oh dear - lots to do. Why did our show manager call my scenic demonstration as :- "Scenic Secrets", perhaps that's the secret ? Currently sticking a few small shreds of ply together to make an economy diorama. Wot, no railway stuff ? Yes, but just the RM free demounted van body. A weeks a long time in politics, but the blink of an eye for a modeller !!! Back to the modelling desk - Now What to do next ......... Dad-1

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 These things DO have a use - sometimes Dda-1

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. Where DO you put something like this ? I thought, Ahhh ..... a diorama, perhaps no railway content ? 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. 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. 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. 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. It then got left for months before I added the Aqua Magic. 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 ? Go on - If you have any scraps of ply, create a scene, great winter entertainment !! Dad-1

A short video, running in my garage. Dad-1

The 'Rails' deal was enough to tempt me. A pretty little locomotive, heavy enough to haul more that you shopuld even need. Had this one pulling 13 wagons with brakes on - brakes as needed to get satisfactory Kadee operation. Dad-1

I have a Lenz silver mini ....... found them fine when used before, but slightly expensive ? Mine is giving trouble though. First on track where there was very tight clearance the pick-up wipers caught and bent themselves badly. The wheels were very oily and needed cleaning, I had the same problem with wheel backs where it would seem I have rather poor pick-up as it stalls for no apparent reason. All the axles were very tight with what I suppose is a rather sticky grease. It's running is better now after at least 3 hours running-in. Next to take apart clean out thick lubricant and see what I can do about the excessively tightly fitted axles. More to follow no doubt !! Dad-1

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

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

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. 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. A small amount of preparation needed where lighting is to be included, wires have to go somewhere. 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. Card infills for workshops to fit into a couple of arches Quayside gantry made from plastic profile, this was the only item that cost me money !! The water colour was awfull and had to be changed Then to the final photos I took Should anyone find this sort of thread interesting I'm happy enough to follow with some of my more recent pieces. Dad-1

Strange, but I've never put any of my dioramas on here, perhaps I should start because I'm a big believer in making up small dioramas to try different ideas. I love your basis of having track bed well above board datum, allowing space for under line scenery. You state a tightness of cash ...... for many that's a secondary problem following lack of space !! The diorama is the key to happy evenings. Dad-1

Thanks Mikkel, and other 'Likes'. While getting this layout ready for our 12th January exhibition I've had to divert to finish my this years club diorama competition entry. Last worked on and in a blog posting here dated 31st May. It's been sitting gathering cobwebs in the garage since then, luckily no damage. Now tonight has water added to the stream, masking tape dams will haveto stay in place until morning. Dad-1

At Beaminster Exhibition on 12th January the new 'West Bay' will have it's first outing. Currently still in my shed, but with the Kadees almost behaving, lighting fixed and functional, even a couple of wagon kits finished except weathering (That may not get done in time) I'm no longer stressed !! As I write the fiddle-yard board is in my kitchen for a few prettying jobs. Why ? It's a fiddle-yard ? Ahh you should see how hard visitors will try to see what's behind the scene - Been there and done that !! Dad-1

I've still got work to do, but 'West Bay' is looking good. Lights on and working, Kadees almost there, but a few wagons to finish. We shall need to up-date with the final details of attending layouts very soon. I didn't want this to get lost in the pre Christmas frenzy, 12th January needs to be planned for before Santa calls with some goodies. Dad-1

Right, NOW you want some details ...... Location : Beaminster Town Hall Time 10.00 - 16.00 8 Fleet Street Entry £3 Adults, £1 Children, Under 5 Free Beaminster DT8 3EF Layouts : At current time :- West Bay - '00' First Public Showing Barchester '0' Axe Valley Mill '0' Beaulieu-Les-Mines 'Ho9' Lane End '009' Santa Agueda 'HO' Lower Trumping '00' Avon Halt '00' Display : Royal Train Demonstration : Scenic Modelling Trade : Rod Saunders David Smith Club Sales Low cost parking behind the venue Refreshments. Dad-1

With the wife having an operation, Christmas & New Year coming I shall forget to get this highlighted if i don't start it now . If that wasn't enough I'm still working on the club's new West Bay layout which will have it's first public viewing. I'd like your sympathy as well, because most of the difficulties are trying to get Kadees to work well enough. A brake on one wagon axle has proved to be inadequate, many more brass wire brakes to be made and fitted. Everyone likes a photo ......Here is the Marsh Barn Lane entrance into West Bay station yard. Now of course a car park and not a trace of the old cattle pen. Dad-1

I didn't have a pass for this weekend ! Dad-1