Baseboard update

The baseboard has been progressing... just not on-line. So about time for an update people.

My last post just showed the frame for the board. Now we have:

• Applied 6mm MDF sheet across the whole of the board
• Cut out track-bed
• Started landscaping
• Laid some track

The picture below shows the baseboard with 6mm MDF skin, screwed down into the frame. A cut-out in paper of where the track bed will go, is also laid on top. This cut-out came from my full scale plan in previous posts, and acted as a good template for the trackbed.

Baseboard with skin

This picture shows the trackbed stuck down again with screws. The trackbed was cut out from the same 6mm MDF. As you can see some of the track is also laid down, most of it is attached with double sided tape, the curves are 'tacked' in as double sided tape was not strong enough to hold the tight curve. The obligatory "The Basingstoke and Alton Light railway" book, also pictured and always at hand. Also pictured, paper layout templates of where the buildings will be placed.

Track and trackbed

Landscaping has also come along, and built up pretty quickly. Using left over polystyrene blocks, and a home-made hot wire cutter the landscape soon took shape. Using the contours on the 1911 plan, allowed us to gauge height and gradient, along with a bit of guessing, watching Oh, Mr Porter!, visiting the site today, and artistic license. Also in place is the road and part built platform (post soon to follow). However I'm still debating how to disguise the track at the back of the board, which is not part of the 'landscape'.

Landscaping