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THE FASTEST DIORAMA IN THE WEST

  
     
  On 31 December 2008 I set myself a personal best by taking a 4mm scale diorama from a sketch to a practical item in less than 90 minutes.   
     
  On 31 December 2008 I set myself a personal best by taking a 4mm scale diorama from a sketch to a practical item in less than 90 minutes. 

This was for part of a window display for Gloucester Tourist Information Centre illustrating the idea of using more public transport as a New Year's Resolution.  I took my cut list and a piece of spare18mm MDF to B&Q at St Oswald's Park as they opened and once the components were made, No More Nails rapidly glued them together.

A Badgerline liveried Dennis Dart bus with Plaxton Pointer bodywork - registered as N240 KAE and forming the 332 service to Longwell Green - was then be added encountering English Electric Class 20 D8195 hauling a blue and grey carriage as a substitute for a more modern Diesel Hydraulic Multiple Unit.  Later though, more up-to-date and appropriate Stagecoach Cheltenham marked Dennis Trident double deckers were substituted after being kindly loaned by staff at Stagecoach West.

  
     
  A Badgerline liveried Dennis Dart bus with Plaxton Pointer bodywork - registered as N240 KAE and forming the 332 service to Longwell Green - was then be added encountering English Electric Class 20 D8195 hauling a blue and grey carriage as a substitute for a more modern Diesel Hydraulic Multiple Unit.  More recently though, more up-to-date and appropriate Stagecoach Cheltenham marked Dennis Trident double deckers have been substituted after being kindly loaned by staff at Stagecoach West.  
     
  The New Year's Resolution window having been replaced at the end of January 2009 by another illustrating the romance of maps for February, the new diorama will now be stored pending the addition of paint and other scenic details for future use.

Part of the diorama design was to deter unauthorised interference or theft - hence the height relative to depth. However, this could also lend itself to modification as a multi-shelf display cabinet when its shop window days finish.  Another option would be a removeable roof with a battery powered light for the long winter evenings.

In fact, with a solid roof with fastenings to support a model aircraft and a thin section of 18mm MDF to make the putative "road" level with the railway, The Fastest Diorama in The West evolved into Flightline!

Based on the window space and length of flexible 00 gauge track originally available, the baseboard of the diorama measured 940 x 100mm, back wall 940 x 230mm, trackbed 900 x 50mm and end walls 212 x 82mm.