Fos Scale Models Atlas Gorge

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Fos Scale Models Atlas Gorge

I began building the main structures for Atlas Gorge back in 2024.  Then, it sat.  I finished up some other shelf orphans, then in December of 2025 my interest was renewed, so I began the task of finishing the kit.  Needless to say, the diorama portion of this was going to be a challenge and the most likely reason for my long delay.  I didn't take many pictures of this build.  Here are some initial shots, and like the dork that I am, I had to make the tunnels for the water feature continuous, so you can see through the length of the tunnel portals all the way to the other side.

I used a cut out from the support walls to help form the tunnel, cut them on my wire foam cutter, then glued them to a 'roof', then applied sculptamold to form the inside walls.  This was painted, a floor was made, painted with dark colors, and gloss Mod Podge applied in a few layers.  Then the subassembly inserted onto the diorama underneath the base for the main building.  This was very time consuming, and there are probably many different ways to accomplish this feat, but that was my path.

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Sorry about the double posting of pictures, it's been a while since I posted.

When it came time to build Mulders and J. Prator's I began building them during the winter of 25/26.  Mulders had a very boring rear wall, so I added a porch and an awning that went over most of the porch.  I also included a portion of a British light rail car used mostly during WW1 that I cut apart to use as a backup generator along with some lockers, shelving, and waste cans.  I also included figures for this build.  I built Fos Scale's Flat Iron District kit, and planned to post photo's but after reviewing the photos, it seemed so lifeless without figures that I held back posting.  I came to realize the importance of figures, and it took twelve years to hit me, go figure.  Pun intended.

When making the awning for Mulder's.  I decided to use ½ inch foam board as a base.  I cut the foam to required size, then made the awning over it using small amounts of canopy glue to hold it in place, then gently pried it off the foam when finished.  I measured out the where the supports would go, and made marks in the foam to guide each of the supports.  I hadn't seen this tried before, so it may come in handy for some of you when making scratch builds. 
In this photo, Mulder is taking a break out back and finds John Prator's dog patiently waiting for a scrap to be tossed his way.  It's Mulder's own fault, he knew better, once fed some tasty scraps, Mulder made a friend for life.  At least for a dog's life.

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Here's the back of Mulder's

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If you're intending to build this kit, I will caution that the rear dock is too short in width to allow rail cars close access.  The overhang is so large, that it impedes the ability of rail traffic up to the dock edge.  I recommend building the dock out to twice the depth supplied by Fos.  I noticed this too late in the process, so I imagine the workers on my build used long planks to load and unload.

J. Prator's was a fun build.  A very interesting structure that had an elevator bump on the main building.  You will notice I didn't include the elevator bump out.  I didn't see the point; the elevator would have taken up so much space internally that it wasn't worth the effort or cost.  I imagine rooms were for rent above the business instead, or for storage or workrooms.  It took a couple of weeks to finish the buildings and make foam bases for the various structures.  This was an add-on to the kit, and well worth it in my opinion.  There is an entrance/exit on the main street side of J. Prator's.  Doug used a platform and ladder here, but I replaced this with a staircase since it made sense for renters to use stairs for access to the building without going through any portion of the store.

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I also added two other Fos Scale kits to this diorama.  Yard Office #3 and the classic Ideal Hosiery.  I made up both kits a while ago, and felt they fit in with this build.  I originally intended to leave the area occupied by Ideal Hosiery as wooded, but liked the idea of having the large wall sign visible from such an open vantage point as the gorge.  I did leave out the small tire building supplied with the kit.  I'll find a better fit for it atop another building or as an add-on to some other structure.

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Here are some shots of the rockwork.  This took some doing.

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Here are some in-process photos during various stages.  The last being the initial resin pour.

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Here are some shots from various angles.

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Some more from various angles.

Doug's diorama had a significant rise in elevation to the left of the gorge.  I left the area flat.  It not only made the build easier, but the aesthetic of the scene still works without the trouble of having a steep rise in the grade of the road.  I already had issues with available area/space due to the addition of Yard Office #3.  The diorama as pictured, is my largest.  36 inches deep by 34 and ½ inches wide.  It is a monster.  I wanted depth at the rear where the water enters under the road and structures, the rear water area is six inches deep, while the gorge itself sticks out 14 inches.

The total area of rockwork is my largest to date.  If you look closely, you can see four kids climbing and exploring the area on the left-hand side beneath J. Prator's.  Both Prator and Mulder stopped scolding the kids long ago.  Kids will be kids, and exploring something like the gorge is to be expected.  The 'kids' come from Artitec, and are called 'doorbell ditch'.  I wish there were more HO Scale kid figures.  Maybe Fos will add some to their new line of 3D figures.

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Even after all this, I'm still not finished.  I had to take a break and step back.  I still have trackwork to do, road markings, water stuff, and the area on the edge of the diorama at Ideal Hosiery, along with some extra weathering.
 
I thought some of you would enjoy seeing Atlas Gorge from my perspective.  It's been fun, but also a long process.  Enough rocks and scenery.  I want to build structures again.  Threadwell Textile from SRMW is up next.

[Mark Dalrymple]

Really great to see your progress and read about your adventures.

The build has came up wonderfully well.  It is an impressive main structure and looks like it would be a fun build.

Have you checked out modelu for children?

https://www.modelu3d.co.uk/collections/digital/products/60012-children

Cheers, Mark.

[Rick]

You have a beautiful layout.
Thank you for all the pictures.

[Zephyrus52246]

Wow.  The rockwork, buildings, scenery, it's all beautifully done.  

Jeff

[Ensign]

Simply wonderful modeling, and beautifully sceniced as well!
I know it's big but you should really try and take this outside to photograph it in natural light if you can.
This entire scene would look even better!

Greg

[friscomike]

Howdy, 

Your layout and structures are exceptional.  Nice work all around.

Have fun,
mike