7mm Layouts and Dioramas by Stephen Fay, including Kirton Lindsey & St Stephens Bank

[Compton castle]

Bank holiday modelling mornings!!
As is usually the case the next day I look and think what else is missing? So I’ve added a large MBR Scott’s pine plus a Birch plus my large home made tree ( I always intended on putting it there ). Plus added som extra static grasses. Still more to do In the way of fencing etc

 

[Dave Holt]

I really like those low, rear three quarter shots. Very effective and not an angle often seen on models.
Dave.

 

[Compton castle]

I really like those low, rear three quarter shots. Very effective and not an angle often seen on models.
Dave.

Many Thanks Dave,

 

[Compton castle]

I may have lost it ! I was unsure what to do about the underpass area, IE branch line etc, well I’ve made the decision and branch line it is & to make it more convincing I’ve added an additional board but as you can see this one bolts to the front of the centre section now making the layout a T shape. This will now be known as the Torcombe board and the Torcombe branch runs down to the coast similar to the Kingsbrisge branch, on its way back up to join the main line it follows a valley around Haskins hill to rejoin the main line. This will open up some lovely ( fingers crossed) photo opportunities but may make it harder to sell the layout when the time comes so this could end up as being a stand alone diorama or extender to be a layout in its self it will all depend on where it eventually ends up.
Plus I like to think differently than the traditional side on view of a model and I like the modular style a lot of American modellers take.

 

[Terrysvr]

I may have lost it ! I was unsure what to do about the underpass area, IE branch line etc, well I’ve made the decision and branch line it is & to make it more convincing I’ve added an additional board but as you can see this one bolts to the front of the centre section now making the layout a T shape. This will now be known as the Torcombe board and the Torcombe branch runs down to the coast similar to the Kingsbrisge branch, on its way back up to join the main line it follows a valley around Haskins hill to rejoin the main line. This will open up some lovely ( fingers crossed) photo opportunities but may make it harder to sell the layout when the time comes so this could end up as being a stand alone diorama or extender to be a layout in its self it will all depend on where it eventually ends up.
Plus I like to think differently than the traditional side on view of a model and I like the modular style a lot of American modellers take.View attachment 162416View attachment 162417View attachment 162418View attachment 162419View attachment 162420View attachment 162421

Wow

 

[Compton castle]

Combe End Tunnel mouth arrived today from Invertrain. I’ve not used any of their plaster cast models before and I can say they are very nice, clean castings with crisp details that slot together with the smallest amount of cleaning up. I gave it a base spray of white earlier this afternoon and I’ve picked out the first two shades of grey with one more to go before the washes start.

 

[Compton castle]

painted and weathered. A little more dirt will be added once it’s fixed permanently in place.

 

[Compton castle]

Doing a little on Teignton lane this morning, I’ve sanded down the plaster and applied a layer of PVA and spread out some DAS clay and ran a car through it to leave some tire tracks. Once it’s hardened I can soften the edges with a light sanding. I’ll try some AK realistic mud on this and fill in between the clay with kiln dried sand and fine N gauge ballast and some puddles. It’s always fun to try new things.

 

[Compton castle]

Doing a little on the embankment board this evening. A few more passes with the static grass applicator to go. The rear side will be left at the moment to allow access for track laying

 

[Compton castle]

Early morning modelling! I wanted to add some additional static grasses, I took the embankment board out in the garden to add these as I’m using clear varnish spray to layer it keeps the stink down in the house. Plus everything looks better in natural light. Still have the fencing etc and blending of the boards together to do yet but it’s a little more progress.
Plus added another of the superb MBR trees into the little gaggle that’s sprouted up along side the railway boundary.

 

[Compton castle]

Temporary posing all of the boards together I have at home, The centre board including the Torcombe bridge board will be heading back to Bristol Wednesday for track laying. I’ve left off the scenics on the sides that we will access for track laying and I can blend everything in later on.

 

[Captain Kernow]

Hi Steve,

The scenery and the overall effects are just great, but I'm interested to note that you don't seem to ballast and weather the track before doing the scenery, which is something I always do myself, as I'd be worried that I'd damage the scenery, when reaching over to do the track!

 

[Compton castle]

Hi Steve,

The scenery and the overall effects are just great, but I'm interested to note that you don't seem to ballast and weather the track before doing the scenery, which is something I always do myself, as I'd be worried that I'd damage the scenery, when reaching over to do the track!

I suppose I work front to back, I’ve left out any scenics on the sides closest to the track so that when leaning over no damage occurs. On some of the boards like Haskins hill and Combe end tunnel the polystyrene has been glued together but not to the boards so it’s all removable. The most honest answer though is that I got excited to progress the layout along and that why I’ve done bits here and there but I’m confident I can blend all the areas in.

 

[Compton castle]

Westbourne bridge update, the to do list is fast decreasing now. Rob has fitted the tie bars and I’ve ballasted the point work today. Using some plastic section I’ve got the cable trunking in and the pipe scenic break behind the shed. A few weeds and tufts to add the smallest bit of greenery

 

[Compton castle]

St Stephen’s update, first powered movements with a Grange / King combo, the second and third boards are now bolted up for track laying to commence.

 

[Compton castle]

Just a small job today on Haskins Hill, I’ve removed most of the MBR trees and fixed in some sea foam trees, this will allow the MBR to be used around the edges as they are the best looking. I’ll look into adding some mid height Primo trees now along the rear to blend in with the large home made trees that go on the slope behind.this looks a nice spot on a warm summers day to sit and watch the trains pound up St Stephen’s Bank

 

[Compton castle]

Doing a little work on the Torcombe board this evening, Another gaggle of trees has sprouted up
once the tunnel mouth is in place the trees should frame it nicely and on the left the man planted forest will taper off up the hill
Farmer Joe does his best to fill any pot holes with sand or gravel on Teignton lane, If you walk the lane to get to Teignton crossing for a bit of train spotting just watch you don’t get caught when the milk tanker is coming! It can be a bit tight and there’s thorns in them there bushes!

 

[michael mott]

Steve, your landscaping is really fabulous it is the most realistic that I have seen to date!

Michael

 

[Compton castle]

Steve, your landscaping is really fabulous it is the most realistic that I have seen to date!

Michael

Many Thanks Michael that’s much appreciated, I do use some fantastic scenic materials which help no end

 

[Compton castle]

Farmer Joe has been hearing Russian voices in the barn & being the 60’s the threat of Soviet spies is taken very seriously, the local constabulary and the chief has driven out in his new police Jaguar!
They came to the conclusion it is probably more to do with Joe’s home brewed apple cider Brandy which doubles as a rather good paint stripper! Watch out for the puddles constable ‍♀️!! We’ve only just got this.
May be we should have brought the Land Rover Sir!