Building display dioramas

No signal wires Andy sadly because to create a good scene the key to making an empowering vista is less clutter, strictly speaking the bridge plate and gradient post are actually placed too close together... that doesn't mean on the real thing it never happened that way but for a model its a tad bunched up. I had to do it like that in this instance because I was fearful of the little post getting accidentally snapped off, so thought it best to locate it near the bridge plinth for protection against possible damage. Telegraph wires are great if you get them right, I tested a run of Peco plastic poles on the Elton layout and it was not that successful, probably better if I'd used wooden kebab sticks instead as the plastic just bent and eventually snapped off. The key to what you see on this diorama is there is nothing shown that you wouldn't see on the big railway... everything in its place so to speak. Without being critical in the past I've seen some (only a few) layouts at shows where the builder puts what effectively is a grassed lawn extending right up to sleeper edges and allotments with greenhouses or huts positioned within fifteen feet of a running line, fences too close to tracks are another common misconception. Imagine sitting in your greenhouse pruning tomato plants and a Class 50 runs past on the other side at 90mph... utterly ridiculous and most unconvincing to any audience but the builder remains in blissful ignorance of their misjudged scaling. Having said that if those layouts give enjoyment and satisfaction then they have been successful to a point but I'm attempting to create what I call SuperReal by going to the next level of visual satisfaction. To me this is my art which is a loose form of sculpture... well if Duchamp can show ready mades in top Paris galleries using urinals as art pieces then I can make scenic train dioramas into pieces of enjoyable art.

 

Now here is Toto's wishing well... actually the culvert now has water so members are cordially invited to place coins of the realm into the pure natural spring water and make a wish, you can make a wish to predict which loco Highlander Models are going to produce next but don't ask our Chief Designer Mr Beattie as he is sworn to secrecy and won't say anyway. Mr Toto will of course diligently collect all monies presented to the culvert fairy.

 

And the River Churnet comes to life flowing downstream under the railway line, clear cast resin poured today.

 

Thanks Andy... its getting there and next job after adding water movement is to fix the bridge in and lay the tracks. Not sure what the French spelling is but from memory Duchamp's 1917 ready made urinal was called "Fountain" Yet 7mm here we all come... you'll need plenty of PAA's and together we have the power to alter history A rake of PAA wagons behind a 20 passing over the River Dove on the bow string bridge at Norbury & Ellaston.

 

The lettering just needs raising a tad more to say overall 0.25mm in height I'd suggest.

 

No it will need to be 0.5mm raised lettering in that case

 

Rightie ho that's the scenics done on the main display side... just need to flock the embankment and build in the culvert on the far side now. So here we are with the nature bit so far... trees added and final detailing completed.




Even the river bead has had a few odd rail chairs, some old bricks and a rotting sleeper thrown in for good measure.

 

And from the other side... these trees will act as a backdrop from under the bridge.






Back on the display side I made a post and wire fence of an early LMS pattern... even managed to build a modern housing estate in the back ground.

 

Finally a few general shots of work so far, the culvert in all its algae.




The number 29 bridge plate on its raised concrete post.





All we need now is a train going over.

 

Anyway this gives us all a taste of how the Highlander Models diesels can be displayed at shows.

 

Super Real detailing just say Super Real and those diesel kits will fly off your stock shelves.