I was looking for something different for my layout when I came upon the idea of a Caravan Park. It has been a fun build and has generated a ton of comments and interest.
There is a lot if information for the beginning or intermediate modeler. I explain how I came up with the design and demonstrate how I arrived at the layout. Eventually when the mail catches up with me, I will add lots of fencing (it’s on the way), the camping coach, need the turnout, need more tables, need to make a couple of green umbrella tents…the list goes on and on.
Two things happened I did not expect, one it brought back memories other people had of camping in their youth and two they laughed and brought up details in the British comedy, Carry On Camping. It is very funny and many folks sent me links and mentioned favorite scenes. It has been quite fun so far. There will probably be two more parts before it is complete. Maybe some of your readers would enjoy it too.
The “real looking trees” are actually “real sedum plant” flowers that are dried and then different grasses applied for color.
The layout utilizes both packaged buildings, kit-bashed buildings, and all scratch built structures. Figures and buildings are hand painted.
The story is a small Northern city area with 3 towns connecting to the “Big City”.
These towns are Aurora, Waldon, and Buffalo Creek.
Shuttleworth Pub is for my son-in-law who plays professional soccer in the MLS.
The “circle” depicts a horse statue. The bronze horse was a gift from my daughter.
“Paula’s” greenhouse is for my wife who has a huge garden in our yard.
This layout is 12’x8’ and is phase one… The second phase is beginning soon and will be 3’x25’ consisting of a switching yard and a portion of the “Big City”.
And now, Jake answers some questions on his layout (which is here).
“To answer a few questions posted on my photos, the derrick crane at the sawmill is from a Walthers kit (the building wasn’t utilized in this layout).
The vehicles used are made by Herpa, Athern,CMW and Wiking. Some of the trucks were purchased as cab and chassis, I built the beds for them, for example, at the time I fabricated the beds for the single axle dump trucks I couldn`t find any available for sale. Since then CMW has produced the `41- `46 Chevy dump, there are about 6 of these trucks in the layout.
In the photo of the trucks loading at the coal mine, 3 have beds built by me, the one with the silver bed is a CMW production,
Jake”
Big thanks to Jake and Jamie! Both stunning layouts.
Bill’s been in touch with his his scratch built HO scale bridge:
“Hello Al,
In response to your question, “What would be my best modeling tip?”, I would have to say don’t throw anything away.
Just about anything can become a useable detail piece on a model layout.
Just as an example, I am currently scratch building a curved bridge using Plastruct and Evergreen preformed bulk pieces, a few Model Power steel bridges, and a sheet of brass screen I sourced from my local sewing supply store. Total cost into the bridge is about $35.00 U.S.
In order to make the side support for the bridge I needed to kit bash the Model Power bridge sections together along with a few small pieces of styrene.
However this left me with a few smaller pieces.
Well, after looking around my layout I noticed I need a few vehicle bridges. So, this is what came out of the left over Model Power bridge pieces and a piece of leftover sheet styrene.
So for my money I actually got my custom bridge, two small vehicle bridges, and I have plenty of supplies for many other projects.
My wife isn’t a huge fan of my “keep everything” philosophy but it does come in handy and saves money when building a layout.
Also, creativity plays a huge part in building a layout.
Inspiration can come from anything you just have to look for it.
Regards,
Bill”
Big thanks to Bill for sharing his HO scale bridge scratch build – and just goes to show he’s spot on: don’t throw anything away ever…
“When coloring plaster rock or retaining wall castings with diute washes of acrylic paint, you can sprinkle on fine ground foam (greens and yellows) to simulate growth of lichens, moss or tiny plants. No additional adhesive is needed.
Thanks, Dan S”
Now on to Rod:
“Sue gave me a little digital camera for Christmas and it can get into places the old ones never could, which is an awful temptation.
It’s fascinating to get sight of new angles, and a revelation how much better the little people look from a more natural eye level, but horrifying to see all the cracks, paint glitches, and various unfinished bits you left because ‘nobody was ever going to see the back’ of something.
I wish now more than ever that I had made the blessed backscene boards removable.
