Building display dioramas

Discussion in 'Scenics' started by York Paul, Jun 2, 2019.

  1. York Paul

    York Paul Staff Member Moderator

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    In the last couple of days focus turned to creating a plaster facade for the culvert, the design is inspired from a similar ashlar stone structure which can be found on the Churnet Valley line just north of Cheddleton level crossing, this particular culvert carries spring water from Basford Hall hillside down passing under the Station Road lane and under the railway embankment to the River Churnet. See I've always got a reason for everything I make, having said that I have to admit this little culvert structure is generic... I didn't go down there with a tape measure trudging through the silt and mud. :avatar:

    Anyway this is the front face cast in plaster of paris from a silignum mould, the wing walls and capping stones will follow next, once these items are cast I'll assemble the whole structure and fettle joints to make a seamless piece with everything glued firmly in position on the mdf former.


     
  2. Toto

    Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

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    Lovely :thumbs:
     
  3. York Paul

    York Paul Staff Member Moderator

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    Focus was turned back to the bridge because I need to get the tracks laid and ballasted in the next few days, reason being is the diorama will soon be needed as a backdrop to take photos of kit builds, so this evening saw the centre transom beam of the bridge completes. Next step is to solder the joists and deck plates in position... I can then paint the brasswork. Here are a couple of pics showing the relationship between track clearances and bridge structure.


     
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  4. Toto

    Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

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    Top notch Sir. a fantastic build. :thumbs::tophat:
     
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  5. Andy_Sollis

    Andy_Sollis Staff Member Moderator

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    Fantastic:thumbs:
     
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  6. York Paul

    York Paul Staff Member Moderator

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    I'd have done a lot more on the bridge building front today had it not been for an impromptu shed repair which necessitated removal of some inner panel walls and replacement with new cladding, all because SWMBO had been storing garden forks and spades in her little painting shed and not realising that she had imported wordworm... anyway its sorted and treated now so SWMBO can get on and paint the walls. All this meant I've only been able to complete one side of the bridge which is looking quite sturdy, hopefully the other side will be completed tomorrow. I made up a set of five joists in the shape of an I beam from thin pieces of etch, these keep the long girders parallel and level, the deck floor was then soldered to these to make a rigid structure. Here are a couple of pictures of the job taken from inside the workshop tonight.



     
  7. Timbersurf

    Timbersurf

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    You have had me very worried during this build, your lack of concern and the total absence of any decking during the construction has been a major safety concern for me. I am so glad that you have started implementing the deck! In future, please show some respect to safety and show some sort Heath Robinson at least or better, scaffolding underneath to appease my H&S vertigo :hammer:

    There is just something very satisfying about a brass bridge, I think its the Engineer in me, that approves of the realistic and inherent structural strength of the metal construction over plastic or wood. :tophat:
     
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  8. York Paul

    York Paul Staff Member Moderator

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    Yes its quite selfish of me really Timber, I work on the premise that if people are too stupid to look in front and carry on walking over a derelict railway bridge to fall 15 feet onto a stoney dried up river bead then good luck to them when they discover they don't bounce :giggle:

    Agreed the use of brass makes the bridge look the part, I've never seen a plastic railway bridge in real life or even an MDF laser cut one for that matter, so I use the material which suits the job best ... a lot of effort but worth it I think. Wait until I start on the Norbury bow string bridge, that's 189 feet long over caissons and just over 4 feet long in 7mm, I need to take a trip down to the River Dove to take some pictures soon, bridge is long gone but the abutments and caissons remain.
     
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  9. Timbersurf

    Timbersurf

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    Don't count your chickens, it may well come soon! The dutch are currently laying plastic roads instead of ash-felt!
     
  10. Toto

    Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

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    Very nice Yorkie. First of this type of construction in a model bridge I've seen. I dare say its be done a few times but it's a first for me. Quality.:tophat:
     
  11. York Paul

    York Paul Staff Member Moderator

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    I did see an ad in a recent Gazette where a trader had started making small steel over bridges as kits, just simple stuff so I guess its all down to costings. There was also a back page advert from a bespoke maker for a large suspension bridge pre made in brass, again it was about a yard long and came at a cost of over £4K. The scenic diorama bridge will probably have used roughly the same amount of brass as is in a mid to large size steam loco kit so for now it really is something different.
     
  12. Andy_Sollis

    Andy_Sollis Staff Member Moderator

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    :scratchchin:

    Patiently waiting....

    And enjoying the build :thumbs:
    It looks fantastic and I’m in awe...

    Btw, following a conversation at the CVR today, you would be welcome we felt, should you want to visit. (No that wasn’t from TH)...

    Andy
     
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  13. York Paul

    York Paul Staff Member Moderator

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    Excellent news Andy because if a warm reception exists amongst current CVR bods as opposed to previous weak management tones (get the code speak :avatar:) then we are all in business for the benefit of everyone. I can make small scenic dioramas for show and because they are Knotty orientated they would be appropriate and of course there will also be the Highlander Models range of kits which can be promoted as we are soon to do for Terry at Llan. I wouldn't be adverse to making a small NSR building model for ongoing display in the CVR museum, say a crossing house and level crossing such as was at Combridge or Crakemarsh or even a facade model of Ross Cottages.

    Just be patient a little longer please, this diorama is coming along nicely, not had chance to work on it today as I've been out at Escrick with Ebor Morris dancing Long Sword with a newly revived Escrick team. Oh what fun but we did get free beer and munchies.:tophat:
     
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  14. Robert Crossland

    Robert Crossland Full Member

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    Very nice indeed Paul, great work, coming together well
     
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  15. York Paul

    York Paul Staff Member Moderator

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    Thank you Robert for your kind comment of support and interest in the scenic build, it is a time filler whilst we await components for the Highlander diesel test builds. I'll crack on with it this afternoon and am looking forward to getting track down and the nature groundwork done.
     
  16. Rob Pulham

    Rob Pulham Happily making models Staff Member Administrator Feature Contributor

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    Hi Paul,
    I haven't had a chance to make comment until now but the bridge in brass looks superb:tophat:
     
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  17. Toto

    Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

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    Gentlemen,

    Please note the movement of the Bridge links as kindly previously provided by Timbersurf to a newly created sub forum under building structures for ease of future reference. In doing this, it necessitated the removal of everyone's associated posts commenting against the original. Please accept my apologies for the removal of these posts. You can all feel free to add your comments in the newly created section.

    Please don't reply to the above here as I've just cleaned up the thread in order for it to flow again.

    Many thanks for your understanding.

    Toto
     
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  18. York Paul

    York Paul Staff Member Moderator

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    Thanks Rob I'm happy you like it, it's a tad rough round the edges so to speak regards some of the soldering but after all these bits will be covered over with the deck plates.
     
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  19. Toto

    Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

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    Cant see any rough work myself. I think you are being a little harsh on yourself there. It's a superb build. :thumbs:
     
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  20. York Paul

    York Paul Staff Member Moderator

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    Latest progress so far... the other deck beams are now made and soldered in place, next job is cut the deck plate and solder. It's quite a rigid structure now and thankfully sitting square on the abutment walls although a little final packing up under the corbel stones will ensure a level fit.


     

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