Portable engine shed diorama

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I haven't got room on the WGLR for a "proper" engine shed area, so I came up with the idea of a portable engine shed diorama that I could keep in the garage, but easily bring out into the garden during running sessions. It would also fit in the back of the car, so I could take it to open days on railways where siding space was at a premium and also use it to provide some additional loco storage space for the West Mids GSS layout. This was always meant to be a non-working diorama - no complicated wiring - no points - just a posh shelf really.

The Mk1 version was too cumbersome and heavy to be easily portable, so I went for a Mk2 version that (although bigger) would be lighter.

The basic baseboards and backscenes were made from ply with a little bracing under the baseboards. Two boards each 2 foot by 2 foot 6 inches were built.

 

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The two boards fit together to make a diorama 2 foot by 5 foot.

 

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For transporting, one of the boards is inverted and turned around to fit on top of the other making a large box.

 

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The baseboards are joined together by these over centre clips.

Being non-powered means no need for power leads across the baseboard joints :applause: .

 

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The baseboards were painted brown and the backscenes white primer. The backscenes were then painted using cheapo acrylic paints.

 

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The Piko engine shed came from Mark Biff some time ago. Spare panels were also used on the backscene.

 

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Next came the track. This came thanks to a very kind offer from David (dtsteam) which I picked up from Netty's excellent open day.

Apparently, this stuff is nearly 30 years old. It consists of pressed stainless steel rails ..........

 

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.......... which slot into pre-cut real wood sleepers (smelling of real creosote ) .............

 

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........... like so.

Not really difficult to build, but tricky to get the rails even. Also a swine to cut the rails. And goodness knows how you would make curves without kinking the rails ........... not a problem on the diorama, all track being straight.

 

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The track was glued into place.

 

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Next came the ballasting. I used "Brush It On" O gauge dark grey ballast as advertised in Railway Modeller and sold by Modellers Mecca in Wall Heath. This stuff isn't cheap, but it's nice and easy to use and light in weight. But best of all ....... it looks good.

I have to say that I was amazed how good the track looked after it had been ballasted and painted. The only thing missing are chairs or spikes holding the rails to the sleepers. One day when I'm REALLY bored, I might add some cosmetic ones.

 

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To hide the dreaded join between the baseboards, I built a sleeper crossing from stripwood.

 

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So here are some pictures of the pretty much finished diorama which I carried out on to our deck ...... on my own ...... so the portabilty seems OK . It's placed on top of stock boxes at the mo, until I can come up with some tressles.

 

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The diorama is capable of taking 10 reasonably sized tank locos on it's 3 lines. The furthest line runs into the engine shed, the middle line is much shorter and does not cross onto the second board. The nearest line serves the Wagon and Coach workshops.

 

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Looking in the other direction.

 

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Some pics of some of the details .........

The inside of the engine shed. Workbench by Pola (courtesy of Mike ), gas cylinders also by Pola, tools and Co2 extinguisher from a Tamiya pit stop set and Back2Bay6, crate by Preiser.

The tap comes from a Pola kit, hosepipe from painted bell wire. Fire hydrant and hydrant plate were bought from the Telford show.

 

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Some earnest discussion goes on between the maintenance staff in the lean-to attached to the grounded coach body.

Figures from Model Citizens.

 

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There's a fair bit of wildlife to spot on the diorama including rabbits, seagulls, pigeons and a squirrel .

 

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This chap is having a quick smoke before starting his shift (converted Preiser figure). Next to him, Sooty the works cat is doing what he does best ........ having a kip.

 

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There's all sorts of rusty stuff hiding under the (Schleich) tree and a layer of brambles.