O scale Mexican waterfront diorama

[robert goslin]

Hello.
    I have a mini layout that is 4.5'x 2' (1370mm x 600mm).
It is set in Baja, Mexico early 50's and themed for Tequila processing and transport. It is based on a similar layout built by Gary Beatty, his is called the Punto Margarita
It consists of trains running on three levels, On30 on the bottom and middle levels and On18 on the top level.

I am adding a diorama extension to mine, but here is what the main mini layout looks like at present.
If anyone is interested, I could replicate the build here on the Modelers Forum, that I did over on RRL forums.


Anyhow, For now I will concentrate on the 18" x 2' extension to the layout, as I need it done for an exhibition in mid March.

[robert goslin]

So I made up the diorama base from pine framing and MDF top, which will then be covered with foam sheet.
It has a lowered section for the small harbour area.


Underside


Then added the foam top.  Also made some rocks from foam.  Not in their final places as yet.




Then I added some FRocks (sponge) around the harbour edge


And then coated the sponge with watered down gap filler


And gave the whole water area a base coat of black. 
And the rest a base coat of a reddish brown.  Just used craft paint.

[Rick]

Rob, I enjoyed following your progress on the layout build and I'll be here to enjoy watching you build the extension.

[Janbouli]

Too bad you are so far away Robert , your layout would look very good at several shows here in Europe like Ontraxs in Utrecht and the US Convention in the Netherlands to name a few. It's exactly what people like to see at shows here in Europe .

[robert goslin]

Thanks Rick, for your continued following.  I'm still enjoying all your travel photos on FB.

Thanks for your kind words Jan.  Last year I displayed the layout for the first time at a large show here in Melbourne. Had a huge response to the layout.
And will be exhibiting again at a different show here in March, probably the largest show of the year.

But part of the idea of this extension is that I can remove it from the layout (just 2 bolts) to display just it when I exhibit just my other dioramas at various shows.
So best of both worlds.

[robert goslin]

So next up I did the water. Used several different blues and mixes for this look. (Final gloss coat will be added last).
And also made a wharf out of wooden stir sticks and 5mm dowel for the piles.
And started on some of the ground cover.

[robert goslin]

OK.  I'll move along. I have now finished building the three structures and have documented them here at MF

The boat repair & bait shop https://modelersforum.com/index.php?topic=6778.0

The boat chandlery & marine supply https://modelersforum.com/index.php?topic=6820.0

And the waterfront warehouse https://modelersforum.com/index.php?topic=6880.0

and I have been working on some of the diorama in between builds.
So I laid done some cobblestone sheet in front of the warehouse.  Used Slaters Plasticard for this.
I cut out the profile of the front of the building


And added the boat repair shop


I made a set of mooring pylons to sit in the harbour




And added the boat chandlery to it's base.  The two structures I made from foam are simply held in place with four toothpicks up through the walls, and down through the base.






So now that the structures & boats are done, It's just adding all the little details now.
A crane on the dock, 2 or 3 palm trees figures and plenty of junk.

here are the links to the two boat builds
https://modelersforum.com/index.php?topic=6805.0

https://modelersforum.com/index.php?topic=6835.0

[Rick]

Wow, does that look good.
I like that one photo shot low from the water.

[Jerry]

Gotta love it.  Wonderful work!

Jerry

[Mr. Critter]

My dear sir, your style is unique.  And I love it.

[robert goslin]

Thanks Rick.  That is a pretty cool shot.
Thanks Jerry. I'm happy with how it's turning out, as I'm just making it up as i go along.
Thanks Critter. Glad you're enjoying my unusual build.

[robert goslin]

So the wharf needs a small dockside crane to unload whatever it is that they are unloading here.
Some of it is pretty dubious.

I have scratchbuilt one of these cranes before on my Maine based diorama, so thought I'd do it again.
Only a couple of hours work in it.

Mostly styrene, tube, H section etc.  The base is from my scrap-box. Is some sort of electronics plug.



Assembled & given a grey primer


Then painted in an industrial red colour, and rope & hook attached.




And mounted on the wharf. I sits over a piece of styrene rod, so it can actually swivel, in case I want to pose it in different positions for photos.

[Rick]

Rob, crane looks perfect.
Nice job painting and weathering.

[deemery]

The editorial in this month's RMC is about the joys of modeling Mexican railroads...

dave

[friscomike]

Howdy Rob,

Nice work on the crane.  The scene is developing even more character as you add the details.

Have fun,
mike