I’ve started another diorama layout. It measures 4x1.8ft, and believe it or not it’s made entirely out of foam board super glued together. It is quite strong and super light. I have used an ironing boards legs which fold away still so it will fit nicely the the back of the car. It has a painted watercolour backscene which I feel is really effective, and at this stage with the lighting and sound built in it has taken 13 hours and cost less than £30. Bargain…

My Colliery pumping engine is starting to take shape. This is both the winding engine and pumping engine to drain the deep Irish coal mines of BallyCastle. Bann Kiligan colliery will be the name of the layout and the Colliery I am modelling. It is a fictitious coal mine that has been taken into NCB ownership. Two shafts make up the colliery and this particular shaft was nicknamed ‘Killreas Quarter’ having been named after the Killrea canal it is located next to. I still need to add guttering and then paint.

The track plan is almost sorted. This is going to be Dead rail micro layout💀with just the points operated by servos. The whole layout is designed to be pug and play. A very simple design. Quick to set up and light weight to move about. Well this is the plan anyway. As you can probably tell it’s dual narrow gauge, and I will explain this in more detail.

This is home made paper clay. I really like this stuff, although it has taken a few days to dry but it cost nothing. It’s pretty labour intensive but it gives a light weight solid covering and had a great ground earth like finish.

This is home made paper clay. I really like this stuff, although it has taken a few days to dry but it cost nothing. It’s pretty labour intensive but it gives a light weight solid covering and had a great ground earth like finish.

I’ve been building an oak tree armature. Making scale trees is something I have avoided over the years I’ve been modelling, but now two are on the build list. I’ve always considered trees to be a big topic in model making, but wanting to avoid prebuilt or kit built trees. Mainly because I wanted to model a specific trees rather than the generic model ‘tree’. When visiting Pendon last, I spoke at length with a volunteer about the true size of trees. So taking in what he said I’ve decided to build these slightly bigger than what feels right. I understand that things need scaling down especially when there is limited space available on a model railway layout. I suppose we will see how they look on the layout to decide wether they are in the correct scale or not. I haven’t calculated the scale of an actual tree I’ve just used a picture and worked it out by eye 👁 At this stage it is just twisted wire coated with hot glue from a glue gun. Not the easiest skill to master but it is going to remain flexible.

Bark and moss added. These are time consuming but extremely satisfying to build.

Almost finished this oak tree. It’s enormous... which is correct for an oak tree, but on a 4x1.8ft layout it might be a bit too big. I still need to add flock then leaf, but possibly a little trim first.

The finished oak tree.

I’ve made a load of flock foliage and fine turf flock in each colour plus a few blended flocks. When making flock you obviously have complete control over your desired colour mix, but it turns out in slightly different grades which gives a really naturally coloured blend. After leaning this Method I will never buy flock again. I’m really enjoying finding cheaper ways of working, as life with a young family can be expensive, and will always take priority over railway modeling, but using everyday materials certainly makes these projects much more achievable when keeping the costs minimal. If anyone wants to learn how to make their own flocks I suggest watching Luke’s aps on YouTube @geekgamingscenics. I’ve learnt a ton from Luke and he regularly posts new content.

A little narrow gauge locomotive shed. Very simple and very fun to build. 😊It’s a foam core structure with a 1mm layer of das clay rolled out with a rolling pin, PVA glued down then Scribed. It takes a long time but has achieved the Stone work effect I wanted.

Bann Kiligan Colliery - NCB - Northern Ireland - during the 1960’s