Here's a bit more work on the scenic landforms at the northern end of the summer module. I've been doing scenery the same way, more or less, for about ten years now - establish basic contours with card or MDF profiles, fill in with expanded or extruded polystyrene where possible, and then cover the whole lot in plaster. I find it quick and easy, if messy along the way, but very satisfying. The other thing going for this method is that it produces very lightweight and dimensionally stable scenery, which is therefore suitable for being built in modular form. I used this approach on the American layout, where various bits of hill have to be capable of being detached from the main layout to allow access to hidden trackage.

A natural extension of this idea - not original to me, I hasten to add - is that, having built one piece of modular scenery to fit a given slot, why not build another, to exactly the same dimensions? This second piece could be used to shift the location or period of the layout, as mentioned in my last blog entry when talking about platforms. Building the second piece is easier since the basic shape can simply be traced off the first piece, onto a suitable piece of card or MDF.

As an example, there's a large piece of scenery on the summer module which forms a stretch of sloping ground, leading down from the tracks to the edge of the board. The first module, which is shown in situ, will be treated with grass, bushes, flowers etc to form a nicely textured summer embankment. But a second module could be built to the same dimensions but having allotments on it, or grotty workmen's huts. Another could contain a retaining wall, with a small industrial scene modelled in the foreground, or perhaps a cottage or two.

And here's the same area but with the module removed:

My experience with the American layout has been that, once scenery is in place, it becomes hard to see the divisions between the removable modules and the fixed parts of the layout - and it's even better if a fence or similar can be placed along the boundary to trick the eye. The only limitation is that it's probably best to think about these modules now, rather than try to incorporate them into scenery that was already developed.

To give an idea of how simple these modules can be, here's another, smaller one (the piece of pink foam) in place on the other side of the tracks as the road descends from the bridge. This will be again be treated as an embankment, but a second version could incorporate a rocky outcrop or perhaps a retaining wall supporting a small building such as a tin chapel or tearoom.

Finally - a hint of things to come - this is the sort of view I'm looking forward to enjoying when the scenery is developed. I've resisted the urge to photoshop the clutter visible through the bridge, but eventually there will be an impression of the landscape continuing on beyond the confines of the layout module.

Right now I'm tremendously excited by the possibility of these swappable modules - within reason, I could have dozens of layouts in the same room - S&D, Cambrian, North Cornwall, Devon ... even Scotland? Who knows?

Cheers again and thanks for reading.