Well the display diorama is now finished and today with good sunlight I did a little photoshoot, here are some images which I've already posted across various other forums to gauge interest, the responses have been overwhelming so Toto please rest assured this WILL be a magnet for Highlander Models without any doubt whatsoever.
It's also ruffled a few feathers amongst one or two of the more established modellers who seem a trite pedantic towards certain materials and methods.
F- em.. they didn’t do your model. If their method is better than yours let’s see their work (and for the record here, I didn’t think his looked anywhere near as real, but he may have been modelling 18.83mm gauge as he seemed that kind of chap...
Thanks Pete you know you are welcome to visit here at any time if you'd like to see this diorama before it heads North to Scotland somewhere at the backend of the year.
Yes I saw the "Angry Face" icon you stuck onto his reply rubbishing my explanation, it does look like EM scale and wouldn't need multiple layering so a one coat of glue would suffice I'd say. The problem is a lot of people become pedantic with ideas of grandeur towards their practice and dislike or refuse to embrace different opinions and methodologies, I saw this behavior a lot when on my Post Grad degree and learnt how to turn the table in a courteous and informing manner, but anyway thanks for supporting the commentary and I guess this is one reason why Platform 1 is such a great place since we all show respect in helping, sharing and supporting each others achievements and interests.
Thanks for the kind comment Mark, right now I'm taking a little break from building scenic dioramas for the moment to focus back on completing a few of my half finished steam loco kits, the BR Standard Class 4 4-6-0 and 2-6-2 Tank locos getting the treatment... photos to follow as the builds complete. cheers York Paul
Hello York Paul This bridge looks terrific, particular with the flatness and sharpness of the brass. I gather it is not a kit. Could you please give us some detail about it's construction. Thanks Steve
Hi Steve, firstly thank you for your kind comment about the bridge. No the bridge is not a kit, I scratch built it from scrap etch frets left over from loco building kits, there was some 18 thou brass sheet used for the decks and the webs which form the girders located on each side and one in the centre, there are pictures in this thread which show construction stages but no actual measurements. The etch brass bridge deck measures 230mm x 230mm and it sits on MDF buttress form laminated with L Cut English Bond brickwork, the height of the bridge between river level and the underside of the deck is 90 mm. The plinth cap stones and the cap stones on the top of the wing walls are made from plaster of paris in which I cast from a rubber mould. I'll upload a couple of pictures showing detail of the current bridge so you can see what I mean. If you need more specific measurements just let me know and I'll get them to you. My next bridge diorama scene will be a double track 7mm scale 185' length which will sit over ashlar stone abutments, There are four transom girders each seven feet deep, each one located under and supporting a rail of track, cross beams will carry the decking which is cantilevered out into the cess and fitted with safety handrails.
here is a bit more detail for you Steve, the girder measures 40mm in depth on the web and 25mm across the top and bottom forming the I section.
Here is the underside of the decking showing the central transom beam and the various I section joists which hold the deck up... its the same principle of construction as a wooden upper floor in a house.
And finally a view across the bridge offering an idea of structure clearances. The oval bridge plate is a 3D print and anyone wishing for a similar one can contact Andy Sollis on here with details of number and scale etc. The loco is BR Standard Class 4 4-6-0 75030.
Thanks very much Paul, it is superb work. I have also looked at the other pictures, which are instructive and equally impressive. I am new to modelling, but I can solder quite well (well, electronic components anyway), so I would like to try something in brass or similar. Steve