57 replies to this topic

[Stubby47]

Hi all,

I'd like to enter this competition - not sure what to do as yet, but the 2ft cube sounds an ideal size to me.

Stu

[Stubby47]

I've decided to make the diorama an homage to the film of the Charles Dickens Ghost story 'The Signal Man'.

Set in a dark and lonely railway cutting, the signal box is cut into the bank near a tunnel portal. A walker stops and spends some time in the 'box, listening to the Signalman as he recounts the tales of the spectres he's seen twice, both times before a tragic railway accident. He's now seen the spectre a third time and is fearful of the consequences.


I'll also make the whole diorama a module, using the RMweb version of the CMR standards for a OO module. This is so I can also take the module to the RMweb SWAG Members day in April 2012.

So, the concept is a double track main line, in a deep cutting, with a signal box and lots of dark trees. One end will have a tunnel mouth, the other end will be disguised with overhanging trees.

I'll also need to source a suitably scared looking signal man.

[F1p]

Hey there Stu,

Interesting idea, watched the video, nice wee place to model, all the best!


Philip

[Javelin395]

Sounds like a plan! Read the book myself, didn't enjoy it (well, its a book on something that isn't real, so don't like it) but sounds like a cracking idea to do a module on!

Best of luck.

[Stubby47]

Having seen Bob's idea of using a diagonal line across the 2ft x 2ft base board, I've had a complete (and I mean complete !!) change of idea....

Assuming that as long as the completed layout still fits within the 2ft cube dimensions, it is possible to create a layout 30 inches long, with a width dimension ranging from a couple of inches at the end to 15 inches at the midpoint.

Is this correct ?

If so, I have a cunning plan (actually one I've published before, but had not really got any impetus to do as the dimensions were too vague).

[Blackcloud Railways]

I had thought of trimming the outer edges of the waterfront to get a lozenge shape but thought that it might then be judged as being over the 2ft limit. However, if it can be documented that the area is/was originally within a 2ft square (or less) I can't see how the powers that be could rule it out. As I see it there two easy ways of showing the compliance.

1. Draw the plan to scale diagonally on a lined grid or, as I did, full size on a 2x2 square of plywood (before taking a saw to it).

2. Build the odd shaped layout/diorama then sit it on top of a 2x2 square to show that it still fits.

[Javelin395]

Hmmm... sounds like a plan... If you can show any plans towards how it shall be made, then we'll see. Sounds good though.

[Stubby47]

After playing around with some acurate measurements, I found that I was no better off using a diagonal approach, so it's back to plan A.

Here's a quick sketch-up of my idea, although the colours will be a lot darker and the rear bank will be covered in trees.

 signalman_module.jpg   89.53K   15 downloads

I'm contemplating makling the front bank removeable, either in full or in parts, to allow a track-level camera viewpoint.

[Blackcloud Railways]

The diagonal approach would also have made it look odd in a line up of modules.

A removeable bank at the front should be easy enough to blend in but I'd do it as a single unit rather than in parts, the boundary at the front edge of the baseboard and the cess at the trackside being natural lengthways joins. Could I suggest an access footpath near the tunnel mouth as a possible join at that end while the overhanging trees at the other would hide the remaining seam in the scenery?

[Stubby47]

Thanks for those ideas, Bob, I'd not actually got that far in my thinking yet...

The diagonal approach would have meant the back area of the baseboard would have been triangular, but because I needed at least 7" of end wall to allow for the track to exit, the remaining distance between the two ends was only 24", so nothing was gained.

I'll reduce the baseboard width to whatever makes sense (a toss up between enough depth for the trees and the need to create more trees than necessary to give the same effect) and use a long curved backscene. I'm also thinking about the aproach Tony Hart took, many moons ago, using alternate layers of tracing paper and green cartridge paper to create a receding set of hills, although these would be mostly hidden by the trees.

[Blackcloud Railways]

Stubby47, on 09 January 2012 - 01:57 PM, said:

I'm also thinking about the aproach Tony Hart took, many moons ago, using alternate layers of tracing paper and green cartridge paper to create a receding set of hills, although these would be mostly hidden by the trees.

Shortliner's spray painting technique might be an easier way of doing it. Jack used it for urban scenery but it'll work just as well for trees and hills disappearing into the haze.

http://carendt.us/sc...index.html#ross

[Javelin395]

Looks really good! N gauge I presume?

[Stubby47]

What ?!? 'N' gauge ? - With my eye-sight ???

Nope, it's strictly 'OO' - and will be built to the CRM / CLC / YMR / RMweb type module standards (as I've been asked to run the module layout project at the Taunton members day).

[Javelin395]

Hehe. I easily forget how big 2ft is and presumed it was N haha.

[Geo Ghost]

I love the inspiration for this idea.
I remember the story well from years and years ago when I was younger. Can't remember where I read or heard it, but I remember it clearly. Rather chilling and quite sad at the same time.
The design looks really good too. Looks almost exactly how I'd always imagined the cutting would be after reading the story.

Shall follow this with keen interest

[Stubby47]

First part of the baseboard now cut & stuck together.

I'm using 5mm foam board, in a sandwich format. The lower layer is cut to size (23" x 12") and the upper layer is cut 1cm samller all round. Four spacer pieces are then cut to run the full length of the board, but are ony 15mm wide. These are stuck to the under side of the upper layer, then the whole lot is glue to the lower layouer, ensuring the lower piece overlaps by 5mm all round. This gap will allow me to add the back, side & front scenes walls to the lower base and further strengthen the whole baseboard structure.

 foam_baseboard.gif   1.79K   0 downloads

The next stage is to add the track bed, (more 5mm foamboard, covered in cork) and then make the basic hill sides, remembering to leave a suitable place for the signal box to sit.

Edit : Time taken so far : 45mins

[Stubby47]

I've added the backscene and one end scene board, plus made a start on the hill formers.


A view from the trackside of the part completed signal box.

Total time taken - 1hr 45 mins

[Javelin395]

Very impressive matey

[Stubby47]

Most of the backscene hill formers are in place and I've made a start on the basic ground formation over the tunnel.

Time spent = 2 hours 45 mins

[Javelin395]

Really good matey! Can't wait to see this progress.