The layout
The layout itself is a U shape and rests on a number of heavy duty shelf units left over from the days when we stored props for our amateur theatre company. It is at approximate chest height to make working on it easier (and keeps it slightly out of the way of the feline train hunter Lola).
Due to the restricted width there is only room for one line (and even this makes for very tight bends). Therefore, there are a number of passing lanes scattered throughout the layout where trains are stored.
Points are all insulfrog from the Peco range.
Due to the restricted width there is only room for one line (and even this makes for very tight bends). Therefore, there are a number of passing lanes scattered throughout the layout where trains are stored.
Points are all insulfrog from the Peco range.
Baseboards
The existing MDF shelves were utilised to form a sturdy base for the layout then loft insulation foam boards were placed on top. Part of the reason for this was to provide some sound deadening properties but also to allow my prefered method of temporarily fixing things down - pins. I find that I am always keen to make something look complete, even if it is not yet finished. This means that most of the layout is, at some point in time, temporary in nature. Securing things by pinning them down and then hiding the pin heads means that I am able to change things to my hearts content without the need to unglue and possibly damage delicate items.
Water
This was made by laying rippled water sheets on top of cut up plastic A4 folders to modify the colour. Although expensive, the sheets give an excellent rippling effect which captures any sunlight brilliantly.
Different coloured folders give a different overall colour, for example a slightly greenish tinge to the harbour but a bluer effect for the sea.
Different coloured folders give a different overall colour, for example a slightly greenish tinge to the harbour but a bluer effect for the sea.
Trees
Most of the older trees were made using trunks from the Woodland Scenics range with leaves from the same company's foliage packs stuck on using Hob-E-Tac adhesive although some were purchased on ebay (from China I believe). However, I was never particularly happy with the results.
All recent trees are made from dried out grape stalks with foliage applied as before. I have been much happier with the natural random effect that this method delivers and will continue to use this for all future trees.
All recent trees are made from dried out grape stalks with foliage applied as before. I have been much happier with the natural random effect that this method delivers and will continue to use this for all future trees.
Other vegetation
Other vegetation on the layout is a mixture of odd trees, various grass mats, scatter material and lichen.
Grass mats are usually fixed in place first to provide ground cover then additional vegetation added afterwards.
Grass mats are usually fixed in place first to provide ground cover then additional vegetation added afterwards.
Buidlings
When the layout is finished I think all the buildings will be made of card from the following manufacturers:
Temporary structures are mainly from the early Graham Farish range but they will all be replaced one day with more detailed examples from the above suppliers.
- Scalescenes
- Metcalfe
- ebay seller ricktouch1949 (the picture is the Station Hotel from this range)
Temporary structures are mainly from the early Graham Farish range but they will all be replaced one day with more detailed examples from the above suppliers.
Beach
The beach is various grades of sandpaper with grass scatter material providing the clumps of seaweed.
The beach huts are repainted resin lineside huts.
The cliffs are made from lumps of cork.
The breakers are made from sleepers from the odds-and-ends box.
The beach huts are repainted resin lineside huts.
The cliffs are made from lumps of cork.
The breakers are made from sleepers from the odds-and-ends box.
Harbour
The harbour wall is a download from Scalescenes. The boats were purchased on ebay.