7mm Layouts and Dioramas by Stephen Fay, including Pontycwm, Newton Mills and St Stephens Bank

[Compton castle]

The last of the big trees arrived today, again made by Mike Whatton.

I need another 4 or 5 from MBR to complete all of the trees.

First of the tunnel mouths is also going through the paint shop

 

[Compton castle]

First tunnel mouth installed,
Still need to do the inner walls yet.

 

[GrahameH]

Its a bit calmer than in real life yesterday matey !

Nice trip down to Newton Abbot and it was slightly rough.





All together now..... "Oh! I do like to be beside the seaside".....

G

 

[Focalplane]

I woke up at 3 am this morning to hear rain! Looked at the Europe weather map and it was the same large rain belt rain stretching all the way from Barcelone to Belfast. Not often that happens.

 

[Compton castle]

Back to the first section Smugglers retreat and I’ve finally had the coping stones to complete the wall top, Fencing in place as well although I’ve got to add the last two panels once the tunnel mouth arrives.

 

[Pencarrow]

A few prototype photos of the area from me below. Weather was better than those from Grahame above!

 

[Compton castle]

Out today

 

[Compton castle]

A few more trees planted on Holcombe Cove, I need another 12 across all 3 boards to complete.
I appreciate not everyone likes this style of photography but for those that do here’s 2 pictures that didn’t make the article and the magazine cover shot,

 

[Compton castle]

Just to bring everyone up to date with this project, Unfortunately I had to dispose of the layout last year after the very unforeseen break down of my marriage and subsequent sale of my house. The layout has found a new home and the new owner intends on completing it and possibly extending it, which is great news, Sadly in the intervening months Mike Whatton who made 4 of the large trees for the layout passed away. I am now settled in a new house but I am limited on space for modelling but I do hope to start one or two Small projects in the summer.
Steve Fay

 

[Dan Randall]

Sorry to hear about your personal situation Steve, but I do look forward to seeing further projects from you in due course. Your posts have a certain energy about them and I for one, have missed them. Good luck!


Regards

Dan

 

[Deano747]

Wishing you all the best, Steve, and look forward to any future projects!

Regards, Deano.

 

[Purple-haze]

Steve,pleased to see you haven't used that updated photo of you on holidays in NY,to me it's quite unseemly wot with all that weight loss. Anyhoo, so sorry about the result saturday

regards Rog

 

[Compton castle]

Working on a display plinth at the moment, first pass with the scenics. Plenty more to go

The Riviera line has also been sold on and now resides in Scotland and is being incorporated into a larger layout.

 

[BrushType4]

Nice mate, how did you do that?

 

[Compton castle]

The scenics ?

Nice mate, how did you do that?

 

[BrushType4]

The scenics ?

yes mate.

 

[Compton castle]

yes mate.

started out just adding some scenic bits, bushes general ground covering and some real dirt. Looks terrible at first, the whole area was then covered in PVA and a coat of static grass added. I’ve used 2 shades of green and a straw for the base later using 4.5mm strands, I’ll spray the whole area with clear varnish and build up the thickness of the base layer before moving on to 6.5mm strands but these will be straw in colour with a little green. there will be a photographic back drop added once complete. This is being built for a loco kit builder to photograph his finished models on.

 

[john lewsey]

Hi Steve I hope that all is well. Nice work
John

 

[Compton castle]

Hi John
all is well Thanks, I am currently isolating with my kids due to a positive contact but should be free from Sunday all be it for a very short time!
Still looking forward to Christmas I’ve got two very good looking books under the tree for a bit of inspiration.
All the best
Steve

 

[Compton castle]

More static grasses added today along with some bushes
Ballast next but that’s after Christmas.
I’ve really enjoyed doing this little plank and to be honest it’s set my mind wandering towards a project I’ve wanted to do for about 25 years !
Any way Merry Christmas all here’s to a better 2021