scenery details

laid table on the terrace

The fine detailing of scenery makes or breaks the overall effect. I find it very useful to take many photos of subjects that I am trying to model. It is important to edit for the period being modelled. Is the ladies handbag right for the period, for instance?

Many fine details are now available commercially, and in general we never make something if it can be bought. Many more wonderful details can be found on US websites in H0. So many things are often omitted on model railways, such as compost heaps, moss and bird droppings on roofs, animal runs under fencing, mole hills...the list is endless. When developing a section of our railway, we constantly take pictures and ask ourselves...'what is missing?'.

Gardening materials at the mews.

Colour variations on roads, soil and paving can be considerable. The gravel drive in front of the hotel was made by using three layers of slightly different colour gravel. While still slightly soft, it was then churned up with a dental pick and the loose material then vacuumed off. This gave the effect of car tyres, and a few potholes emerged. The same treatment was given to the lane going to the station.

Some modellers such as Chris Nervard, will add lines to their telephone poles. Magicians thread is employed but do not forget, one touch or is you have a helpful cat, and the lot will be down.

Chris's modelling is fantastic

the drive at the hotel

station entrance

In front of the loco shed, we added small detail of tools and maintenance material that always seems to get left around.

In front of the sheds. Cleaning bucket and rags alongside a leaking hosepipe. In the background, out of focus, is a firewood pile under a tarp. An axe is driven into the tree stump alongside.

outside the shed - the 'I shunt with care' sign was typical of the L&B

For signage around the model, we have just made the graphics using Photoshop and added them to a Word document at the correct size. They are printed on photo glossy on high definition then cut out and most of the paper peeled away to thin the graphic. The cars all have number plates which were actually attached to a car of that make and colour in 1935, and the AA and RAC signs on the hotel are correct for the period. Road signage was also researched.

a raptor perches on an old tree

a tarp held down with bricks at the harbour

d'Arcy marine engineers. The interior is lit and fully detailed

the derelict Alco gradually rusts next to the harbour engine shed - click on image to enlarge

the leaking water crane at the harbour

I always photograph the details of the layout with a high resolution digital camera. I then project on my computer and study my work. It is only by doing this that I can pick up faults which somehow pass muster when looking at the layout. In the case above, it is the canvass hose of the water crane. It should of course hang down vertically. A new one was fabricated from the shaft of a Q Tip. The lower half was flatted with a soldering iron. I also moulded some small waves which would have been formed with water pouring from the hose.

the remade hose for the water crane

a beautiful model spoiled by the gap!

One of the ongoing howlers I often see are gaps between buildings and the ground. Otherwise wonderful models are spoiled in this way. I know, on occasion, the buildings are designed to be removable, but even then, one can hide the gap with the inevitable weeds that grow up there.