The Modeler's Forum

The Mainline => Dioramas => Topic started by: madharry on January 20, 2024, 11:07:15 AM

Title: Bleat - a 009 exhibition layout
Post by: madharry on January 20, 2024, 11:07:15 AM
Bleat is a small village somewhere in Wales. The community, served by the narrow-gauge railway, is very rural and populated with more sheep than people. Most of the structures are kits by Scalescenes, Petite Properties or Scale Model Scenery. All the locos are DCC sound-equipped, you might glimpse a peddling cyclist near the local church and the pecking chickens in the farmyard.
Title: Re: Bleat - a 009 exhibition layout
Post by: madharry on January 20, 2024, 11:25:14 AM
009 is the British version of HON3. It uses 00 scale buildings alongside narrow gauge track with a similar track width to n-scale.

I am using Bachmann Double Fairlies and Kato/Peco Small Englands which operate in North Wales on the Festiniog railway. These are all DCC sound-equipped. Coaches and wagons are either by Peco or Bachmann.

The new layout is due at it's first exhibition in 8 weeks time. It comprises of three boards 2 by 4ft and 1 by 3ft - just 15 inches wide. This allows the layout to be conveyed in one car. All track is 009 by Peco which has been laid, wired and ballasted.

The layout will feature a Magnorail peddling cyclist and some Viessmann pecking chickens. I also hope to incorporate Inter-action's Moonshiner's Cabin. Whilst this is not strictly 00 scale I am sure the rocking chair is sure to intrigue.
Title: Re: Bleat - a 009 exhibition layout
Post by: GPdemayo on January 20, 2024, 12:44:28 PM
Great scene and loco Mike.....I'll be looking in.  :)
Title: Re: Bleat - a 009 exhibition layout
Post by: Jim Donovan on January 20, 2024, 01:48:45 PM
Love it.
Title: Re: Bleat - a 009 exhibition layout
Post by: madharry on January 22, 2024, 04:06:26 AM
Thanks Greg and Jim. Hopefully I will get a little more done today.

Mike
Title: Re: Bleat - a 009 exhibition layout
Post by: madharry on February 07, 2024, 11:20:52 AM
Still working on the new layout. I commissioned a new backscene of the local Quantock Hills which I think will work well with the presentation.

Mike
Title: Re: Bleat - a 009 exhibition layout
Post by: madharry on February 07, 2024, 11:22:03 AM
Here is another view.

Mike
Title: Re: Bleat - a 009 exhibition layout
Post by: deemery on February 07, 2024, 06:40:11 PM
That backdrop will look great!

dave
Title: Re: Bleat - a 009 exhibition layout
Post by: ReadingBob on February 08, 2024, 06:58:56 AM
Very nice Mike!  That backdrop is really nice.  It will really compliment the pike.
Title: Re: Bleat - a 009 exhibition layout
Post by: GPdemayo on February 08, 2024, 07:48:29 AM
Looks great Mike, neat church.....I'll be looking in.  8)
Title: Re: Bleat - a 009 exhibition layout
Post by: Erieman on February 08, 2024, 12:11:08 PM
Mike, 
Beautiful Work. How large are these modules? Looks like fun. I recent found an engine in the back of one of my storage drawers that I could possibly build a small module. You ask, what is the size of the engine. It is an HOe 0-6-0. And it is small at 2 1/2" long. The engine was made by Roco. I cannot tell you when I bought it or even why I bought it. Might just build something for it ( in my spare time) .

Frank / Erieman
Title: Re: Bleat - a 009 exhibition layout
Post by: madharry on February 09, 2024, 12:18:27 PM
Thanks Dave, Bob and Greg for looking in. The church is a Petite Properties kit.

Frank the layout will be 11 ft long by 15 inches wide. It is made up of three boards joined with cabinet makers dowels. I am hoping to attach the new backscene permanently over the next few days. Then I can start placing structures, complete the scenery and add the sheep. I have actually flocked the sheep to make them wooly.

I have the little loco from Roco as well for possibly an Austrian layout one day. HOe uses the same track as 00-9. Peco market their track as suitable for both.

Mike
Title: Re: Bleat - a 009 exhibition layout
Post by: madharry on February 12, 2024, 12:58:23 PM
The backscene has been applied. I am happy that the far corners of the layout are rounded for a nicer presentation.

Here are a few pictures of the farmyard, the church and the townscape taking shape.

Mike
Title: Re: Bleat - a 009 exhibition layout
Post by: Mark Dalrymple on February 12, 2024, 02:20:29 PM
Looking good, Mike.

Some cute locos there.  I would love to see a close up of some of these flocked sheep!  A flock of sheep - brings on a whole new meaning...

Cheers, Mark.
Title: Re: Bleat - a 009 exhibition layout
Post by: deemery on February 12, 2024, 04:18:36 PM
Quote from: Mark Dalrymple on February 12, 2024, 02:20:29 PMLooking good, Mike.

Some cute locos there.  I would love to see a close up of some of these flocked sheep!  A flock of sheep - brings on a whole new meaning...

Cheers, Mark.
As G. F. Handel once sang, "All we like sheep!"  

dave
Title: Re: Bleat - a 009 exhibition layout
Post by: Mark Dalrymple on February 12, 2024, 06:28:30 PM
Yes, Dave.

I don't think Handel meant it quite like that!  I actually sang the Messiah several times in the Christchurch city choir.  Our choir master, Brian Law, died late last year.  I was reading in the newspaper article that followed his death that he had been offered a job here and decided to have a look around the country first.  He found himself amongst some beautiful scenery one day and realised he had no idea what day it was.  He decided then and there that a country in which one could lose track of the days of the week was a country he wanted to live in!

Cheers, Mark.
Title: Re: Bleat - a 009 exhibition layout
Post by: deemery on February 13, 2024, 09:18:26 AM
Quote from: Mark Dalrymple on February 12, 2024, 06:28:30 PMYes, Dave.

I don't think Handel meant it quite like that!  ...

Cheers, Mark.

Why let a few (missing) commas mess up a perfectly good line??!! 

(I sure wish that Google crap would stop showing up in my posts!)

dave
Title: Re: Bleat - a 009 exhibition layout
Post by: madharry on February 13, 2024, 11:39:28 AM
I will post the flock sheep once I have finished with their fields. 

Meanwhile some shots of the farm board which hides the fiddle yard. The green base is the Viessmann pecking chickens
module which needs to be blended into the scene.

Mike
Title: Re: Bleat - a 009 exhibition layout
Post by: madharry on February 13, 2024, 12:34:03 PM
A small flock of flocked sheep. Baa!

Mike
Title: Re: Bleat - a 009 exhibition layout
Post by: deemery on February 13, 2024, 12:46:07 PM
They look great!

dave
Title: Re: Bleat - a 009 exhibition layout
Post by: Mark Dalrymple on February 13, 2024, 02:37:46 PM
Those sheep look really good, Mike.

What a great idea!

Cheers, Mark.
Title: Re: Bleat - a 009 exhibition layout
Post by: ReadingBob on February 14, 2024, 06:50:53 AM
That looks wonderful, Mike!  The structures and the sheep are spot on.  Keep the pictures coming.
Title: Re: Bleat - a 009 exhibition layout
Post by: GPdemayo on February 14, 2024, 07:28:24 AM
Great progress Mike..... 8)
Title: Re: Bleat - a 009 exhibition layout
Post by: madharry on February 14, 2024, 01:22:42 PM
Thanks Dave, Mark, Bob and Greg for your very kind comments. It is much appreciated. Unfortunately I could not do a build on the structures as they were constructed when the site was down. The farm buildings are kits from Scale Model Scenery.

The flocked sheep are from WW Scenics. Unpainted 3D sheep, a Pro Grass Box and some white, black and biege flock.
The sheep are painted with glue and held by a clip over the box which has a small amount of flock on it. The box (powered by a 9 volt battery) is switched on the flock is attracted to the sheep. Baa!

Mike
Title: Re: Bleat - a 009 exhibition layout
Post by: madharry on February 23, 2024, 07:06:01 AM
A few more pictures of the farm. The chicken module has been planted. There are horses in the paddock behind the stables. The rape field disguises the join between the baseboards.

Mike
Title: Re: Bleat - a 009 exhibition layout
Post by: madharry on February 23, 2024, 07:07:32 AM
Some  more...






Title: Re: Bleat - a 009 exhibition layout
Post by: Zephyrus52246 on February 23, 2024, 11:27:43 AM
Flocked sheep!  You think of everything.  The layout is looking great as well, especially the stone structures. 

Jeff
Title: Re: Bleat - a 009 exhibition layout
Post by: madharry on February 26, 2024, 12:44:47 PM
Thanks very much Jeff.

Mike

Here are a few more progress pictures.
Title: Re: Bleat - a 009 exhibition layout
Post by: madharry on February 27, 2024, 12:39:47 PM
More progress on the layout. Crossing gates and fencing have been added. The shepherd and his faithful sheep dog watch over their flock.

Mike
Title: Re: Bleat - a 009 exhibition layout
Post by: Janbouli on February 27, 2024, 06:27:52 PM
That carriage is simply beautiful Mike , and the sheep are so well done.
Title: Re: Bleat - a 009 exhibition layout
Post by: madharry on February 28, 2024, 03:22:48 AM
Thanks Jan,

The carriage is a Ffestiniog  model by Peco. 

Looking forward to the new season on Sunday?

Mike
Title: Re: Bleat - a 009 exhibition layout
Post by: Janbouli on February 28, 2024, 04:28:58 AM
Yes and expecting a lot from Ferrari .  Oh , and it's on Saturday Mike , don't miss it,
Title: Re: Bleat - a 009 exhibition layout
Post by: deemery on February 28, 2024, 11:10:56 AM
I'm finally watching the video on Tonbridge.  After hearing about the car park, I want to know "What king is buried there?"  
(https://i.pinimg.com/736x/5d/53/1a/5d531a4197b615d10d162805ef594c34.jpg)

The cyclist is great...  (By the way, the Springfield show handles advance purchases by sending you a hospital-style wrist band that you hold up as you go through the door.)

dave

Title: Re: Bleat - a 009 exhibition layout
Post by: Larry C on March 09, 2025, 09:45:44 AM
Mike just ran across your thread. The layout is very well done and looks amazing. The back scene
really sets it off. Always enjoyable to see what you guys "across the pond" come up with.