7mm Findon Junction

spikey faz

spikey faz

Western Thunderer
This is my Scale7 layout. Built almost 20 years ago but inevitably never quite finished! It measures 5 feet long by 1 foot deep, which I suppose shows that it is possible to model 7mm/1ft in small spaces. The first picture is not brilliant quality (taken a few years ago) but shows the stage it has been at until very recently.
20161129_072929~2.jpg

Inspired by Iain Rice's book on dioramas I decided to tidy Findon Junction up with some foamboard and some LED striplighting. Very much a work In progress but the difference (for me) is huge. The framing and lighting draws me into the layout now.

Picture below is with lights off:
20210107_084039.jpg

And with lights on:
20210107_084132.jpg

Obviously I'll be tidying the lighting and foamboard up but for an outlay of about twenty quid it has made a huge impact. :)

Mike
 
spikey faz

spikey faz

Western Thunderer
I'm really impressed with the amount of light coming from the LED strip.

This picture is taken with no light on in the room - just a bit of light from the landing:
20210107_173539.jpg

And with the LED strip now on - still no light on in the room:
20210107_173615.jpg

The foamboard surround to the layout took about an hour to make. Ok, so it's a bit rough and ready but I would still urge folks to have a go for themselves. It's a lot quicker than cutting out plywood, and the lights are plug and play. :thumbs:

I'll post some more pictures once I've tidied it all up.

Findon Junction is in Worthing, West Sussex. A railway line from Worthing to Horsham was actually proposed back in 1898 but never materialised. It would have run through Findon, and as I lived there for many happy years I thought I'd make it a real line (in model form). Traffic will eventually consist of the odd passenger train, and lime trains from the Findon Limeworks.

The layout was built almost 20 years ago and probably could do with some updating now. It desperately needs a fiddle yard!

Mike
 
spikey faz

spikey faz

Western Thunderer
I've been looking to come up with a new diorama for a while now. But the thought of building new track has put me off. I've decided instead to repurpose my old layout 'Findon Junction'.

Space constraints mean I've got even less room than before, so I've had to lop a bit off the old layout.

Here's where I am this evening.

20250323_194204.jpg20250323_194219.jpg

Mike
 
spikey faz

spikey faz

Western Thunderer
Initial running trials were erratic to say the least. Not helped by the fact that I'd forgotten where some of the wires go!


But, success! All OK now.
20250324_193248.jpgNext steps are to: put some curves into the corners of the backdrop; introduce some led lighting; reconnect turnout operating rods.

Mike
 
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spikey faz

spikey faz

Western Thunderer
I spent yesterday mainly making a mess!

The original ballast has all been removed. I seem to recall it was mainly garden soil stuck down with some sort glue that didn't really, well, glue!

Today I've plonked the cut-down shed in place together with most of the other bits and pieces.

20250326_182409.jpg20250326_182355.jpg

Obviously it's just to get an idea of how it will look. I'm trying this time to make it look a bit more 'open' if that makes sense.

The grounded carriage may well be replaced with something more suitable. I quite like the corrugated huts used on the Selsey Tramway. I wonder also if the little goods store is still not little enough!

Mike
 
Osgood

Osgood

Western Thunderer
Have you also tried a piece of thin mirror glass?
It is difficult to gauge whether the distortion / soft focus caused by that mirror board material is detrimental - or actually beneficial in comparison.
 
spikey faz

spikey faz

Western Thunderer
Osgood said:
Have you also tried a piece of thin mirror glass?
It is difficult to gauge whether the distortion / soft focus caused by that mirror board material is detrimental - or actually beneficial in comparison.
Click to expand...
I've ordered some different/better? mirror glass, so will see how that works.

Mike
 
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