Scenery

This diorama is intended to be the classic 'chocolate box' winter scene.

Once the main structures were built, it was time to attach them to foam board sub bases. The station building and signal box were glued to the platform and detailing can then begin.

Bratton Fleming in later years

The first thing to make is the pergola which can be clearly seen over the front door. This was made of bent wire. All of the plants which are seen to be climbing up the building have to be completed and snow finished prior to attachment. It is impossible to know what climbing plats they were at that time, so I have assumed ivy. The photo above shows the station when it was better maintained. By 1935, it had become much more overgrown.

snow covered ivy and shovelled snow - click in image to enlarge

the platform begins to take shape on the sub base. The platform is not yet finished in this shot - click in image to enlarge

With the track down, the first job was to lay in the snow between the rails as the photo below shows.

click in image to enlarge

With the trackwork fully wired and tested, the curved backdrop was ready to drop in place. The 'tunnels' for the trackwork were cut out with a jigsaw.

click in image to enlarge

The topography can now be formed using foam insulation board. This will be fitted to the backdrop but not attached as at a later date, the backdrop will be removed to attach the vinyl graphics.

foam carved to profile - click in image to enlarge

the topography will be marked out onto the backdrop and now the artwork can be completed - click in image to enlarge

As the lighting levels are adjustable, it was decided to only use a grey sky for the backdrop. Inclusion of trees and hills would not match the actual scenery under differing lighting conditions. As usual, the shy is printed on glossy vinyl and laminated with a clear mat vinyl. This is done for us by SignRite of Leominster.

The time has come to begin making trees. These, as usual are based on sagebrush trunks, collected from the Nevada desert with small bits of sea foam added. The snow effect is supplied by Modelmates and is easy to apply from the aerosol. Once dry, it needs to be fixed with artist fixative.

Tree production. The sea moss is fixed with gel superglue and accelerator

The backdrop is protected with paper and the tress are being planted - click in image to enlarge

much of the rear trees planted. - click in image to enlarge

the Rhododendron bank by the bridge was hard to get right. Eventually, we used lichen covered with leaves. - click in image to enlarge

progress 24th August - click in image to enlarge

 - click in image to enlarge

Lyn enters the station  - click in image to enlarge

Lyn enters the station  - click in image to enlarge

progress in the foreground  - click in image to enlarge

The large foreground tree completely hide the exit of the track from scene  - click in image to enlarge

 The completed diorama. The trees in front of the station have been cut down  - click in image to enlarge