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

[Richard Gawler]

There is a part of me which wants to build a 7ft x 18in layout on the diagonal of a 7 x 3 ft board, to give me better photographic opportunities and to make space for local landscape in the two triangular spaces. The idea seems a bit indulgent (impossible to take to shows) but I will watch this scheme with interest. Such a baseboard could be hinged to fold up against a wall at home.

 

[Compton castle]

There is a part of me which wants to build a 7ft x 18in layout on the diagonal of a 7 x 3 ft board, to give me better photographic opportunities and to make space for local landscape in the two triangular spaces. The idea seems a bit indulgent (impossible to take to shows) but I will watch this scheme with interest. Such a baseboard could be hinged to fold up against a wall at home.

I’m always looking for new inspiration and angles to break from the normal approach to modelling so I am excited to get going on this one.

 

[Compton castle]

Brunel is back for an inspection at Box to see the progress, not far off now.

 

[Dan Randall]

He’s probably wondering why the rails are so close together…!


Regards

Dan

 

[Compton castle]

Planning out Beattystone ( Woodhead Route ) to scale this morning. Start cutting timber tomorrow.

 

[Richard Gawler]

A long time ago, when my living room carpet was well past its use by date, I used emulsion paint to add some reference marks for the camera tripod. Masking tape is better

 

[Compton castle]

Day one on Grimsby loco shed,
Nice simple design for displaying a wonderful collection of GCR stock from the grouping period.
Also day one on Beattystone ( woodhead ) board completed and the polystyrene cut in.
The river will run under the railway line like Woodhead.

 

[Compton castle]

An application of backing plaster added today after a liberal coating of PVA. Whilst out on a walk today I picked up a few rocks with a reddish tint so I’ll use these as a paint guide but also incorporate these into the layout.
Also some sand down on the river bed.

 

[Yorkshire Dave]

I like the idea of a non traditional shape baseboard .

If you haven't already I'd be inclined to check some colour photos of the Woodhead route as the underlying geology may not be the same as your walking area. To me the rocks should be more of a brown/blue/grey colour with patches of a reddish tinge. Again all subjective.

This photo of Woodhead is from Wikipedia

 

[Compton castle]

Many Thanks
I do have a good selection of colour photos to hand now
Nick Dunhil sent me a few shots that he took last year.

 

[Compton castle]

After the construction of Beattystone and Grimsby I had a 3’ x1’ length of 9mm ply left over, eureka I thought, that will make a nice little loco display. Low relief coal stage two lines some pits water crane etc, so an hour or so with the saw this afternoon and we have a showcase. This will be a nice little home display and something easily transportable for local shows. Pop two fiddle yards either side to drive a loco on and off scene and hey presto!

 

[Yorkshire Dave]

Probably don't need to go as far as that. Why not just place a photo or build a section of the Swindon Works wall on the back to enable you to recreate the classic photos.

 

[Compton castle]

Probably don't need to go as far as that. Why not just place a photo or build a section of the Swindon Works wall on the back to enable you to recreate the classic photos.

View attachment 184298

It’s a nice plan but I do like the filth of a coal stage.

 

[Purple-haze]

Dave, don't bl!!dy encourage him, we've got just enough room for 3ft x 1

regards Rog

 

[Compton castle]

Dave, don't bl!!dy encourage him, we've got just enough room for 3ft x 1

regards Rog

Don’t worry I can safely house this one at home

 

[Compton castle]

Whilst taking a wonder down the local river I noticed a section of rail stuck out the ground with some sleepers bolted to it, this was done when the council moved the river to create a playing field along side a then new post war estate. This inspired me to make some rudimentary river defences for our bridge.
The river will be around 2 sleepers deep.
Also moulding rocks and sticking them
In place. I’m still awaiting a few other rock moulds to come to add more variety and fill in gaps.


Once I’ve finished adding pebbles the river base will get a few green / brown washes.

 

[Compton castle]

Some more green / brown shades added. I’ll tint the resin a slight brown which will tone everything down.

 

[Compton castle]

Bulking out the rock moulds with some real coal keeping the strata angles the same, Once the glue has set I’ll give it all a coating of PVA sealer before a primer coat of paint.

 

[Compton castle]

The rocks and coal have had a liberal coating of PVA applied, I always use builders grade stuff, as a builder in a previous career it’s actually cheaper to buy in bulk as I use quite a lot. The first of the acrylic paints have arrived for the basic rock colours, some of the rocks have a blue hue whilst others have an orange.
I have some grey emulsion from my living room left over that I can mix with some white emulsion to make various grey washes.

 

[Yorkshire Dave]

Bulking out the rock moulds with some real coal keeping the strata angles the same, Once the glue has set I’ll give it all a coating of PVA sealer before a primer coat of paint.

Nice attention to detail as there are a number of geologists or those of us who have studied geology within WT