7mm Layouts and Dioramas by Stephen Fay, including Kirton Lindsey & St Stephens Bank

[Compton castle]

Morning Steve,

Good to see you and glad you liked the Hawksworths.

Rob.

I shall be in touch shortly Rob and come down to the shop.

 

[Yorkshire Dave]

The last details added to the KESR diorama, another pair of road signs for the opposite side of the crossing.
The first day on the Kirton Lindsey project, the board framed up and the track laid over a printed plan so we have the correct 60’ panels and the cutting sides carved out of polystyrene.

Actually that's a difficult one, Steve. I don't know quite how the "Trains Cross Here" sign would be positioned vis-a-vis the "Crossing no Gates" sign. In fact would both be used for the same crossing? I have to say they look perfect as they are so this may be an absolutely meaningless question.

Just caught up with this. The 'Trains Cross Here' sign is in the correct position on the left hand side only at the crossing. The 'Crossing No Gates' sign would have been on the left hand side but set further back along the road, 440, 880 yards or some other imperial distance, as an advance warning of the ungated crossing.

 

[Compton castle]

 

[john lewsey]

It looks amazing Steve

 

[Compton castle]

This weekend will see a big push on the Kirton Lindsey tunnel diorama, the tunnel mouth and hut are in base paint ready for mortar
The KESR diorama just needs some more wire to finalise the fence on the left
I’ve exhausted my local shops supply but hopefully it won’t be too long. I shall be cutting the fascia for it also this weekend.

 

[Compton castle]

Kirton Lindsey taking shape. After a coat of gloss lacquer this morning I’ve got the mortar applied and the stone work painted in the darker shade off buff stone. Polystyrene shaped a bit more and the position of the two signals marked out. Tomorrow I should get some more stone washes on and a start on the weathering.

 

[Compton castle]

Picked up a bargain Jinty from Rails

 

[Compton castle]

The wire fence is complete and I thought that wrapped up the scenic work but I’ve just noticed the gauge straps need another coat of paint.
The KESR diorama is now just about complete. I’ll get this outside for a few shots and then add the fascia with lighting and we intend to add a digital photo backdrop of the local area. This has been a thoroughly enjoyable project all on a board 4’ x 16”.

 

[Compton castle]

Kirton Lindsey tunnel bedded in to its scenery

 

[Compton castle]

Meanwhile a few hours south in the Garden of England the KESR diorama scenics are completed

 

[chigley]

Will the KESR be at Kempton Steve

Ken

 

[Compton castle]

Not planning as I won’t have the room, Kirton Lindsey will be there as the owner is collecting and the little shed show display as well

 

[Pugsley]

That is superb! What have you used for the fencing?

 

[Compton castle]

Will the KESR be at Kempton Steve

Ken

That is superb! What have you used for the fencing?

Post & Wire 5ft Lineside Fencing O gauge 1:43 fence kit - 64 posts + 10m of wire | eBay
I ditch the supplied wire and use .04 high tensile

 

[Compton castle]

Lots of grass has grown over the last two days and there’s more to go, building up layers and blending shades.

 

[Pugsley]

Post & Wire 5ft Lineside Fencing O gauge 1:43 fence kit - 64 posts + 10m of wire | eBay
I ditch the supplied wire and use .04 high tensile

Thank you!

 

[Compton castle]

track weathering and telegraph pole painting today plus a little weathering of the building and tunnel mouth.

 

[Compton castle]

The Holloway tunnel end of st Stephens out in the overcast sun today

 

[Compton castle]

Telegraph poles wired up and that completes another project. See it in person at Kempton park in June.
Outdoor shots to follow

 

[Compton castle]

Out in the sun
I don’t have anything GCR circa 1923 so a Brit on a fish train circa 1963 will have to do.
Pity I couldn’t get some big sky behind,
It looks great in sunlight though.
The customer has a great collection so will probably sort those shots out at a later date