Thornycroft Backscene

As mentioned in this previous posting the backscene started life as a computer generated 3D model using Google Sketch-up. Using the virtual camera in sketchup we were able to create a view that would be used as the basis for the backscene. This took many attempts to get this to an acceptable view. We must of tried 5 different views, which were simple black and white wire frames, each one being printed out and tried in situ on the layout. This was made 10x worse by the fact that some model buildings carry on through into the backscene. We decided there was going to be no easy way to have a realistic scene that could be viewed from all angles, without some sort of distortion. However if the viewer was to be in the right position then it will look as though the model carries on "seamlessly" into the backscene, creating trompe-l'œil effect.

Final coloured in backscene

Once we were happy with the wireframe view, this was exported as an image file from Sketchup and then painfully "painted" with photoshop, using graphic textures we had previously used on the model building.
It was felt that a bit more skewing was required to force more perspective. Different light and shade was applied to give further illusion of distance. Once coloured in, this was again printed out, and tried on the layout. After a bit more tweaking, the backscene was finally ready to be printed.

The backscene is 120cm x 21cm, all of the previous test printouts had been on single A4 sheets joined together, but in order to create the final seamless backscene it had to be professionally printed.

Once back from the printers, the backscene was mounted onto the MDF backboard, using spray mount adhesive, trimmed to fit, and holes cut out where lighting is fed into the model buildings, and the track goes into the factory.Once slid into the channel at the back of the layout, the backscene finally finishes off the layout.

Backscene in place on layout

On the whole we were pretty happy with it. Something had gone slightly wrong with our measurements, in the fact that the white building on the right does not correctly align with the model. But overall we feel it gives a good impression of the factory.

The public début of our Thornycroft Sidings N gauge model railway, is scheduled to appear at: 

The Basingstoke & North Hampshire Model Railway Show 

Aldworth Science College, Basingstoke, RG22 6HA

Saturday 12th March, and Sunday 13th March 2016

Ed

Cliddesden in Print

Our Cliddesden model railway is featured in Railway Modeller magazine March issue. On sale from February 11th to March 10th 2016.

If you visited this Blog having read our article in Railway Modeller and want to know more then the best way to navigate this Blog is to select a topic of interest from the word cloud (titled Labels) shown in the left hand column.

This Blog covers the modelling of Cliddesden Station and Thornycroft Sidings in N gauge. Either layout is available for exhibition within about 30 miles of Basingstoke, Hampshire, UK.

Thornycroft Sidings has its public debut at the The Basingstoke & North Hampshire Model Railway Show, Aldworth Science College, Basingstoke, RG22 6HA on Saturday 12th March, and Sunday 13th March 2016.

David

3D model of the rest of the Thornycroft site

Many months ago I had an idea of how we could create the backscene for Thornycroft sidings. This involved creating a 3D computer generated model of the rest of the factory site - the other two-thirds of the 20 acre site. The idea being that we could place a virtual camera at the end, and I would almost have an instant backscene depicting the rest of the site.

Using google sketchup I gradually modelled the rest of the buildings using the photos available on britianfromabove.org.uk, The idea was not to create a 100% accurate model, but something that could be used as a framework/ outline, which could then be "filled" in using a graphic editing program.

More on creating the backscene later. But thought it was worth showing a view from the other side that will never be shown on our layout, as a lot of work went into modelling these virtual buildings.

The large rectangle on the left is the backscene "window", to the left of that is where the real model sits. (basic shading effect from sketchup applied):

For reference the real view from a photo:

J.I. Thornycroft and Co Motor Works, Basingstoke, 1939 - Britain from Above

Ed

Public début of Thornycroft Sidings

The public début of our Thornycroft Sidings N gauge model railway, is scheduled to appear at: 

The Basingstoke & North Hampshire Model Railway Show 

Aldworth Science College, Basingstoke, RG22 6HA

Saturday 12th March, and Sunday 13th March 2016

This is a great show and we exhibited there last year with Cliddesden, winning best in show. Thornycroft was a massive employer in the town, and to have the debut showing in Basingstoke is quite fitting.

We hope to see many of you there, and maybe sharing some of your stories about the factory.

We still have a few things to make Thornycroft exhibition ready, notably the back scene, stand banner and a tidy up. More on those later.

Ed

Non-Google Account followers - A message if you follow this blog

If you follow this Blog using a non-Google Account then from January 11th Google will remove you as a Follower. You will need to sign up for/use a Google Account, and resubmit your Follow request to follow this Blog and any others for which you are a follower. Please see this post from Google to understand why.

Coming up we have some very exciting news to do with Cliddesden and Thornycroft for 2016. Please stay tuned.

Thanks for following. Happy 2016!

Ed

Thornycroft Photo Series #10

The tenth and last photograph, in this photo series showing the Thornycroft sidings...

A high view looking over the Thornycroft works, at the Dutch wood drying barn, and the onsite museum, with Worting bridge in the background.

Everything you see in the photo (apart from the sky), is all "real" and part of the model railway, scratch built and scaled in n-gauge; (approx)2mm:1ft.

Shot with a Canon EOS 550D.

Ed

Thornycroft Photo Series #9

The ninth photograph, in the photo series showing the Thornycroft sidings...

A high view looking over the Thornycroft works from Worting Road

Everything you see in the photo (apart from the sky), is all "real" and part of the model railway, scratch built and scaled in n-gauge; (approx)2mm:1ft.

Shot with a Canon EOS 550D.

Ed