presentation...
Good morning,
In between working on Kyle, I have been doing a little further work on this project, sometimes sketching with an espresso and in this case a small model to test ideas.
I think I have said before that I am very interested how layouts present their public face at exhibitions, as a pet hate of mine is to see a fantastic layout...and beneath it, a fairly scruffy base or a piece of cloth tacked along like a washing line...
Firstly, lighting. The first outing for KIAB, I did not introduce lighting and relied on the venues lights, but I think the more we can provide ourselves it means there are less surprises when we turn up to exhibit, as a ceiling at 2.5m high with downlights is very different to a Sports Hall of say 8m high with florescent tubes in cages.
I am considering using the small strip lights from IKEA (I had to get a bit of IKEA in this model ) which I hacked around for use on my diorama comp entry. It needs some more thought but I will try and incorporate plug in strips above the front fascia. I am also toying with the idea of a 'floating sky' above the through line and this will enable views through or access to problematic rolling stock...sketch as below...
The IKEA lights would be mounted as a continuous strip this time...
Secondly, as another development from CJM I would like to incorporate a screen into the front display to show some photos of the context, the build, the boxfiles and perhaps even the display the F.A.Cup scores as BHMRC always seems to have its exhibition on Cup Final day...not normally a problem for me as I support Stoke City but they actually made it to the Final last year so I am glad I wasn't exhibiting then...Man City beat them of course...
I have one of those photo frame thingys bought for CJM, but this time I was wondering whether to use an iPad instead...
I think the screen could provide an interesting balance to the layout...
Lastly, I have been thinking on how I mount the layout and also viewing heights. I think the easiest option will be to use some adjustable saw horses (which my brother can store in the UK for me) and then he will also construct a piece of timber for me which will act as a base but also will be where the black cloth is attached to. The layout will then sit on top of this. One problem with Kyle was being small and light, when you pushed the turnout dpdt switch, the whole layout wanted to move too...so perhaps this time I will use ply construction and something to hold it in place on the base board. Sketch as below...
This shows the assembly sequence. In essence...Land in UK,arrive with IKEA hand luggage (I kid you not!) unpack, assemble, operate, pack up, fly out...
From this I decided to make a quick 1:10 model as I wanted to see how the 1200mm above FFL looked. I mentioned previously that for me, 2mmFS layouts look better at this height as when looked down upon on a table it loses something. Being an Architect I am also aware of the DDA legislation and so it is important to try and strike a balance between able bodied, less able bodied, children etc when considering sight lines...
The following photos show the assembly sequence of said layout and I have made a few 1:10 scale peeps to see how it all looks...
The components...
First, spread the legs...
Then, position the baseboard...a piece of hardboard or ply with some cross bracing beneath...kindly constructed by my brother...
Next, attach the black cloth to suit...
Finally, position the layout...
Behind the scenes...
Add peeps...an operator and a couple of punters!...
This is most likely one of my two sons..."are we nearly finished Daddy?"
1200mm above FFL means that less able bodied wheelchair users should also be able to see the sight lines...
And finally, unlikely the layout will ever get that popular!...unless I invite all my family at once (my mother uses a wheelchair sometimes)
That's about all for now. The next entry will start to talk about some of the rolling stock that I am gradually accumulating for this project.
Pete
- 12
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