Program track/diorama

Discussion in 'Dioramas and static displays' started by Andrew Laing, Feb 13, 2020.

  1. Andrew Laing

    Andrew Laing Full Member

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    Trying to sell our house at the moment so I decided to build a diorama just to get some practice. I picked up a piece of steel flexi track for a £1. As it is only going to be a display and program track steel rail isn't a problem.
    Anyway I found a piece of scrap furniture board and attach a bit of 40mm square softwood for the trackbed. I have laminated some polystyrene with PVA. When it's dry I intend to shape the styrene to leave the track elevated with an embankment down to a field.
     
  2. Mark4mm

    Mark4mm Guest

    Andrew this sounds like an interesting project, look forward to seeing more.:thumbup:
     
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  3. York Paul

    York Paul Staff Member Moderator

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    Excellent start there Andrew to what looks like a very nice little project... I'm following your diorama build with interest.
     
  4. paul_l

    paul_l Staff Member Administrator

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    That's some piece of timber to drill the holes for the wires.

    I used the same approach for Another Bridge, and used plaster bandage from hobbycraft (£1 a roll) to cover the foam with.

    Paul
     
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  5. ianvolvo46

    ianvolvo46 Staff Member Moderator

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    :thumbup::thumbup:

    Ian vt
     
  6. Ron

    Ron Full Member

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    They look like astro mount counterweights !!
     
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  7. Andrew Laing

    Andrew Laing Full Member

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    Already drilled. :thumbs:
     
  8. Andrew Laing

    Andrew Laing Full Member

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    I knew you would recognise them!
     
  9. Andrew Laing

    Andrew Laing Full Member

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  10. Mark4mm

    Mark4mm Guest

  11. Andrew Laing

    Andrew Laing Full Member

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    So today I cut the styrene to my desired shape (The bit I hate doing).

    Then decided to get plastered......

    As it is an experiment I have several ideas to try out on it...
     
  12. York Paul

    York Paul Staff Member Moderator

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    Looking good Andrew, when I did my Elton Crossing layout I used this method to contour in the cuttings... it did work well but put a lot of weight onto the board. The next diorama I did which was a bridge just employed a 4mm to 5mm layer of Multifinish plaster spread over cut polystyrene block, this worked standing up well to movement with out cracking but for added reinforcement a layer of either old net curtains or ladies tights into the plaster film would do just as well.
     
  13. Andrew Laing

    Andrew Laing Full Member

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    Yesterday it got attacked by fungus green paint!
     
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  14. Toto

    Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

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    And it's looking good. Great progress. :thumbs:
     
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  15. Andrew Laing

    Andrew Laing Full Member

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    Track down and ballasted yesterday.
    20200220_071844.jpg
     
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  16. Andrew Laing

    Andrew Laing Full Member

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    Base flock added.
    20200221_151546.jpg
     
  17. Mark4mm

    Mark4mm Guest

    Nice progress Andy, I like the contours of the land and the ballasting and grass work looks really nice.:thumbs:
     
  18. Andrew Laing

    Andrew Laing Full Member

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    Nervously awaiting the outcome of my water feature.......first time for everything.
     
  19. Andrew Laing

    Andrew Laing Full Member

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    So here is where I have got to...
    20200225_131257.jpg
    The clear varnish has soaked into the surrounding grass but I will cover it up with fresh flock.
    I don't think the ballast extends far enough either side of the track?
    Experiment is going well.
    20200225_131223.jpg
     
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  20. Andrew Laing

    Andrew Laing Full Member

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    Had a play with making long reed type plants from an old paint brush.
    20200227_160903.jpg
     
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