Dim Byd: From the off cuts…
I’m building a large (for me) cameo box layout on commission at present. Last week saw the majority of the large sheets of plain timber sheet cut up for this purpose, leaving some off cuts…
We all know that off cuts means prizes… terrible puns this morning, sorry, it must be this coffee. Anyhow, from nothing came Dim Byd. A few small pieces of wood cut to shape and glued together, this simple cameo requires no real baseboard or structure, it’s an experiment and to some degree, disposable.
I like the curved edge and open end. They’re both provocative and inviting. Going against the norm yet there is no sharp corner to the scene. That curved edge will be echoed in the back corner with a coved sky.
Two tracks only both dead end sidings, inspired by a corner of a yard that happened to be in Hereford but could equally have been anywhere. Shades of Paxton Road but with the freedom of Penpont - but with a lid…
I got the lighting strips in yesterday, so today can wire these up and add some sockets to the thicker end backscene. These will be hidden behind that curved coved sky. There really is nothing to see here, but I’ve got the bullhead track in stock so maybe I’ll get that secured too…
Meanwhile Cwmbach languishes as a mock up, there is complexity here (and on Modern Goods) that are causing their progress to stall. I have a way forward for the former, with a chance to try out ideas for the latter. Dim Byd is a warm up act, it’s filler. Still good, just destined to never be the main show.
What is the point? It’s an opportunity to quickly explore an idea. It’s something to make. It’s something to share. Hopefully there will be the chance for some ‘shared’ elements too, with a friend hoping to offer some scenic items and rolling stock… but for now, it’s something for us all to reflect upon this quiet remembrance Sunday morning. Until next time, more soon…
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Dear James,
ReplyDeleteHope you are well. A great and different scene. Will it only be used for br blue stock or also the Irish stock?
Good question. Probably just BR… I had the Irish stock out again though, posed on the new 6ft cameo box and they certainly looked much more at home in a scene that long!
DeleteLooks good James. I like the way the fiddle comes out of the front instead of the back. Take care.
ReplyDeleteThat’s the main experiment here - visually challenging the concept of a micro… this will be adopted in Modern Goods, when I build it.
DeleteWhat I like about the photograph of the actual location seen in your original blog post is how the concrete of the hard standing. area forms a hard defined edge to the scene, thus a hard cut off edge to the model.
ReplyDeleteI’d not thought of that Ian, that’s an interesting observation.
DeleteYes another excellent idea brewing James.
ReplyDeleteCan I ask a very strange question please? (Feel free to ignore...).....
What 'handed' are you? There is method in the madness, I promise!
Take care.
Left. But I don’t really have a massive preference for left or right handed fiddle sticks if you review past layouts!
DeleteThanks James. You've answered me question! I only asked because I've noticed your two track cameos vary between left and right handed fiddle sticks. The last couple - including Dim Byd - are right handed. As a lefty, I want to turn them round!! 😂
DeleteIn fact any layout I prefer, the fiddle yard to be on the left when operating from the front. I do find it quite fascinating (but I am rather sad).
James the overall shape looks great and another fantastic micro layout in the build phase.
ReplyDelete