N Gauge Forum

General Category => N Gauge Discussion => Topic started by: Oldman on September 10, 2012, 05:07:02 PM

Title: Should I??? Build a display diorama.
Post by: Oldman on September 10, 2012, 05:07:02 PM
As many of you know I have several projects on the go, but whilst I am keen to get on with them,I am waiting on shoe boxes for that project, the railbus waiting on transfers etc.  Thinking of trying to resurrect The Oddball Line and do the last board on Lyne End now I have the info I need to do that.
Without displaying on actual working layouts should I build a 12" x 4"  approx diorama to photograph projects that will graduate to layouts later.
Thinking 2 straight bits of track - one std gauge and one narrow gauge.
Those that know I like to put lots of detail in, will be disappointed to know it will just be a strip of field in front of some fencing then the tracks and then more field/trees behind. Backdrop will be a bit of sky.
Title: Re: Should I??? Build a display diorama.
Post by: Claude Dreyfus on September 10, 2012, 05:20:46 PM
A small photographic diorama is a very useful little thing to have; I built one a couple of years ago. It is about 2' x 8'', and is simply a hillside with track running along the side.

Here are a couple of shots of what I managed to put togther...basically some scrap wood, a length of track and some scenic scatter/ballast and bushes.

Forgive the wagons!

(http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd417/Claude_Dreyfus/041.jpg)

(http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd417/Claude_Dreyfus/IMG_3620.jpg)


Title: Re: Should I??? Build a display diorama.
Post by: Alex on September 10, 2012, 05:31:07 PM
Hi Mike,

Go for it. :thumbsup:

I made one and use it for most of my 'purchase/conversion' photos. I need to make a longer one as it's a tad small for US outline.

(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f178/alexcrawford2008/N%20Gauge/100_8957.jpg)

Alex :wave:
Title: Re: Should I??? Build a display diorama.
Post by: EtchedPixels on September 10, 2012, 05:40:48 PM
I've tried it but they always turn into layouts  :laugh:

If its long enough to photograph a couple of coaches and loco on then its long enough to allow plugging in a removable shared fiddle yard or a loop of set-track round the back




Title: Re: Should I??? Build a display diorama.
Post by: scotsoft on September 10, 2012, 06:20:02 PM
By the time you wait on a consensus here you could have half of it done  :smiley-laughing:


cheers John.
Title: Re: Should I??? Build a display diorama.
Post by: Dock Shunter on September 10, 2012, 06:20:46 PM
Quote from: EtchedPixels on September 10, 2012, 05:40:48 PM
I've tried it but they always turn into layouts  :laugh:

:D :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Should I??? Build a display diorama.
Post by: painbrook on September 10, 2012, 07:12:44 PM
Quote from: Claude Dreyfus on September 10, 2012, 05:20:46 PM
A small photographic diorama is a very useful little thing to have; I built one a couple of years ago. It is about 2' x 8'', and is simply a hillside with track running along the side.

Here are a couple of shots of what I managed to put togther...basically some scrap wood, a length of track and some scenic scatter/ballast and bushes.

Forgive the wagons!

(http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd417/Claude_Dreyfus/041.jpg)

(http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd417/Claude_Dreyfus/IMG_3620.jpg)
Are you going for DC or DDC?, or is it DCC or DVD?. :-\ Cheers john.
Title: Re: Should I??? Build a display diorama.
Post by: Claude Dreyfus on September 10, 2012, 07:35:44 PM
Glad to say that electricity is an optional extra here... :D
Title: Re: Should I??? Build a display diorama.
Post by: Oldman on September 10, 2012, 10:48:19 PM
Quote from: scotsoft on September 10, 2012, 06:20:02 PM
By the time you wait on a consensus here you could have half of it done  :smiley-laughing:
cheers John.
Probably right there John. :doh:
Been looking at  some of the scrap bits of material lying around and think I will take the plunge. Only one major change to my original idea - will now be a single bit of  scratch built dual gauge track. Good practice for when I build the proper  working stuff. Have enough code 40 rail to sacrifice 3 lengths. :hmmm:
Title: Re: Should I??? Build a display diorama.
Post by: scotsoft on September 11, 2012, 11:00:48 AM
I keep meaning to make a small diorama purely for taking photographs of my lovely US locos  :heart2:

I think it was last year I saw the one Alex had done I thought that was an ideal diorama for taking photographs and I will probably do something similar but I fancy putting a tunnel mouth at one side.  Whether that will be one I buy or dug/ blasted out of a rock face I'm not sure yet.  What I do know is I need to get off my backside and get on with it  ::)

cheers John.
Title: Re: Should I??? Build a display diorama.
Post by: Oldman on September 11, 2012, 01:50:07 PM
Quote from: scotsoft on September 11, 2012, 11:00:48 AM
I keep meaning to make a small diorama purely for taking photographs of my lovely US locos  :heart2:

I think it was last year I saw the one Alex had done I thought that was an ideal diorama for taking photographs and I will probably do something similar but I fancy putting a tunnel mouth at one side.  Whether that will be one I buy or dug/ blasted out of a rock face I'm not sure yet.  What I do know is I need to get off my backside and get on with it  ::)

cheers John.

Come on then, Tunnel mouth like the one at the end of the Casade Tunnel (BNSF)
https://encrypted-tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSO1PJRXYZtVHI49cT5ZMigkvOY3eoJL8g-oLbqXRwCWM1WQMyXIA   specially modified for stack trains
I think I have started to loose the plot :-X  Got what I thought was 2/3rds of my bit of track made and then realised one bit of code40 rail was not lying flat so had to take it up and resolder it. :veryangry: Just the outer rail to fit now :hmmm: