Mosslanda: That’s a wrap…

I started this little, literally tiny project last summer. One of those memories of the potential of Wrecsam Canolog niggled, almost forgotten until a chance encounter with a photo of one of the 'new' 230s on Instagram saw me dust off that nugget, dig into Penmorfa, Flickr and even take a number of field trips to visit the station, it's environs and ride the line...

The series of blog posts here in that time have shown the basic cameo box and how it fits onto an IKEA Mosslanda shelf develop into the scene you see here, covering ideas and techniques as well as some of the reason why I have modelled the station in this manner. You see stations are a wonderful gateway, a place of energy and, dare I say it, perhaps hope for the future? I find myself excited about the journey ahead, and taken more metaphorically that journey hasn't been prescribed and who knows what will happen when we step on board the train. That said, my own personal energy needs tempering with the brutal reality that these spaces can end up being shelter for those without a permanent home. I was keen to not glamorise or trivialise this important element - choosing to use a combination of litter and some discarded cardboard boxes on the platform. Subtle touches that remind us that this is real.

The boxes are from brown paper, cut and folded carefully to look as if they've been modified for sleeping rough. The litter is formed from small rectangles of waxed paper - secured with scenic cement. The waxed paper is easy to form into the creased and folded shapes that feel more natural, whilst not having any recognisable fibres that you'd see with normal paper. Under that canopy you can also see some 3D printed electric cabinets and some etched brass benches - the former incredibly easy, the latter difficult to assemble and place in the shadows.

A lone passenger (another Andy York) stands just beyond the gloom of the canopy. The non working platform lamps follow the same method as used on Lochdubh, brass rod and tube to create something suitably fine. The 'departure' board is 3D printed and I feel perhaps over heavy despite me already replacing the supporting arm, but I have left it as is for now. The variation in platform textures suggested by just paint rather than the foreground which used Woodland Scenics ballast for the track and sieved chinchilla dust for the empty, bland 'space' along the front of the layout. These were tweaked and adjusted with paints and washes. This combination of a common set of shades and colours through the layout have helped the feeling of consistency in the small space.

Disguising the exit on the prototype and model is the road over bridge which originally spanned a number of tracks at the throat of the old station and goods yard. Scratchbuilt in styrene, a degree of finesse but largely just consistent and neat, finished in my usual Humbrol enamels in the same tones as elsewhere on the layout mean it 'feels' part of the whole. The etched metal security fencing contrasting nicely with the wooden platform fencing and the solid stone of the bridge pillars. At this end we see fine details noted from photos including a smattering of signage (paper printed out and superglued to thin styrene) and the metal structural support on the old second track space. The result is a believable whole that maintains the visual balance across the layout in terms of interest, colour, texture and detail resolution.

The layout continues to be enjoyed daily - and this won't be the last you see of the project. It is 'complete' in terms of the physical modelling, but not finished. It has been a great experience, to learn new skills, practice old ones as well as interrogate some of the emotional reasons behind the layout and how to share that with you, my wider audience. Until next time, more soon...

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