PlaymoFriends
General => Community Events => Topic started by: playmofirth on November 23, 2011, 09:57:38
-
Following on from the success of last year's exhibition, plans are beginning for a second exhibition of Playmobil at the Scout Hut of 1st Knaresborough Scouts, Wetherby Road, Knaresborough. This will take place on the weekend of the 18th & 19th February 2012.
As with last year I am looking for collectors who would be interested in taking part and displaying a part of their collection.
I am looking to do different displays to last year. Initially I am looking at including the following displays:
Hogwarts & Hogsmeade - Elaine (Skypurr) 16ft x 4ft
A coastal railway (with small town and farm etc.) - Gordon (Playmofire) with others contributing. 32ft by 4ft (This will be able to incorporate a range of buildings both modern and period.
Gulliver's Travels (using knights, castle etc. This would be based on the excellent display by Macgyver) - Damon (Flatcat) and myself 12ft x 8ft
Pirates - Myself (Playmofirth) 16ft x 4ft
Underwater Exploration - Playmofirth 6ft x 3ft
Space - Playmofirth 8ft x 4ft Elaine & myself
I would also be interested in other ideas people may have.
Playmofirth
-
Pleased to hear from you with a definite date Mark, I've been buying more steck to make Hogwarts bigger, then worried I might not need it :-[ (can there ever be a time when I wouldn't need more steck? :lol:) Space is all sorted and ready to put together.
Other ideas could be safari - Damo's diorama at Kirkbean was very good and I have a couple of safari stations now too. Jungle/dinosaurs - I could bring them if someone could set them up - I think setting up Hogwarts and space will take up all of my time.
Elaine (http://www.anchoredbygrace.com/smileys/mgqueen.gif)
-
Oh how I would love to visit :love: :love:
-
Oh how I would love to visit
Why not? I know its a bit of a trek up the A1 (and the rest) but it could be done. Knaresborough (and York, nearby) are well worth a visit. Check out the photos from last year at www.flickr.com/groups/1601887@N24/ (http://www.flickr.com/groups/1601887@N24/)
Mark
-
AND a plane trip..
-
Great to hear from you, Mark! :wave:
I am happy to help out with any displays if things are needed, if a whole display from me isn't required. (I can't think what I could do)
The Safari is an option, but after examining a large Schleich safari diorama, I realised my Kirkbean display needed lots of varied, undulating terrain, which is why mine looked a little odd, and more like a zoo car park where the animals had escaped!
So that probably wouldn't be an option as the board could not be pre maid by myself, and trying to do it when I get there would be taking the emphasis away from the Playmobil, spending the evenings creating terrain, if you understand me.
Here's my idea for a display (please say if it's stupid - it's just an idea!)
One table size, with plain white top and backdrop
and then in small groups, some of the very first Playmobil/Playpeople sets: Knights, Builders and their truck, Indians etc, and to pad out perhaps move on to the early firemen etc.
It's probably not something you are interested in, but it would fill a gap if you got despirate.
Damo :)
-
Here's my idea for a display (please say if it's stupid - it's just an idea!)
One table size, with plain white top and backdrop
and then in small groups, some of the very first Playmobil/Playpeople sets: Knights, Builders and their truck, Indians etc, and to pad out perhaps move on to the early firemen etc.
It's probably not something you are interested in, but it would fill a gap if you got despirate.
I think it would be a very interesting display to any playmofan...
-
Nice to hear you guys are going to do the event again.
You might think about a Then and Now set up Damo. Show a scene made with old figures and accessories, and then right next to it the same scene made with recent ones. Car accidents are always popular - lets you get in police, fire and civilian figures all together. There's quite a difference between the old first cars and current ones.
Related, one of the most popular bits to the train layout shows that have been done by Glazz here is a car accident where the car has gone off the edge of the table and is laying crashed on the floor below, with Klicky fire crews having to rappel down to the victims
-
Related, one of the most popular bits to the train layout shows that have been done by Glazz here is a car accident where the car has gone off the edge of the table and is laying crashed on the floor below, with Klicky fire crews having to rappel down to the victims
Aw, that sounds really cute!
-
It's funny though because you get parents coming by who are only half paying attention and they pick it up and put the car back on the table.
-
a car accident where the car has gone off the edge of the table and is laying crashed on the floor below, with Klicky fire crews having to rappel down to the victim.
A fun idea which I will look to incorporate. I can think of a few other ideas that might work too. The trick will be allowing the time to incorporate these.
-
It's a long trip, but I'd love to visit!
-
For all those that would like to visit but cannot, I'll see if I can create a virtual experience of the event with photos and videos. These can include the preparation period too. (I'll be working from the guidance notes I wrote up from the first event and put on the forumhttp://www.playmofriends.com/forum/index.php?topic=7294.0 (http://www.playmofriends.com/forum/index.php?topic=7294.0).)
Mark
-
What day and time would you want everyone to arrive to set up? Because that week isn't my half term-I only break up on the 17th.
-
I too break up on the 17th, which means that it wouldn't work for me :-\
-
Panic over, I was looking at the wrong dates! :wall: :-[
Damo :)
-
Damo and Verity
It is a shame that your half term does not begin until on 17th February. There are clearly some regional and local variations in when half term falls in February. I have to work around the local holidays as that is when the hall is free for the week and when I and my helpers have time to set up.
Damo, you will recall that last year we spent a good deal of time on the Friday setting up. There is no doubting that it takes a while to set up the bigger displays, particularly for buildings that need to be assembled here. Based on this we would need to think carefully about how you might be included. There are a couple of alternatives:
a) I could set up displays where we leave pre-arranged space for sets that can be added relatively simply.
b) We agree some manageable displays where we just need to place the pieces on the display boards.
Both of these depend on what ideas we can work up together. I am keen to involve people who want to be involved in whatever capacity we can.
I am happy to have the hall open late on the Friday night and/or early on the Saturday morning.
Mark
-
We did have the old tv camera crew sets, but some updated ones (ooh with those massive snazzy cameras! :apple:) would be so cool. With the railway tracks from the goldmine sets as well for the cameras ;)
Damo :)
Damo - do you have any of the old TV cameras? I ask becuase this could be something to develop for a display at the Knaresorough Exhibition.
Mark
-
I am proposing a large scale display incorporating Gordon's railway. The attached sketch shows a 32ft long display with the green area around 6-7inches higher than the yellow area. There would be a bridge somewhere on the narrow length in the middle.
The wide areas at each end would allow for turning loops, stations and with a town area at one end and goods yard at the other.
The lower area could include some fields and a shore line/beach.
Comments welcome.
Mark
-
I'll look at how the track will fit on this, Mark.
One foot is fine for two tracks, btw.
An alternative would be an end-to-end system which would take up about 4 feet width. I'll look at that, too.
Hazel from the Knowledge Magnet is interested in attending again.
-
Not wanting to tread on any ideas that you or Gordon may already have, but at one end, you could have the oldy worldy Steck train station, and a farm set up, and a general countryside theme, and then the other you could have a more town like setup, with modern station, shops, buildings etc. I dont know how you would fit a docks/trainyard in though :-\
I am aware from repetedly being told that I have no concept of space though :P
Damo - do you have any of the old TV cameras? I ask becuase this could be something to develop for a display at the Knaresorough Exhibition.
Mark
Sorry Mark, I haven't
Damo :)
-
I have a couple of those cameras - actually one arrived today. I have bids on some more so :crossed: hope I get them.
I like Damo's idea of farm/countryside at one end and town at the other. That could bring in trees and animals which we haven't done before.
Elaine (http://www.anchoredbygrace.com/smileys/mgqueen.gif)
-
That could bring in trees and animals which we haven't done before.
I'd like to set up a fox hunting scene :-[
Damo :)
-
A fox hunt would be cooool!
Sorry to butt in. :-[
-
Hi everyone
I looked at my plan again and realised that I had got one of the dimensions wrong - the middle section was shown 12ft wide rather than the 16ft it should be. This would give us a large rural section on the lower level - with a beach and narrow band of sea (for holiday-makers-bathers, boats etc.) See new plan attached
I like Damo's suggestion of one end of the railway being a town (quite modern) and the other a village (older style buildings). I have suggested large areas of 8x8 at each end to allow for elements in addition to the railway tracks. (We only had 8x8 for the whole railway last year.)
I am okay for a fox hunting scene so long as we add hunt demostrators too!
This leads me to start a check list of what we need:
Railway track and trains
Station buildings
Town buildings - shops, houses
Village buildings - old houses
Farm
Holiday stuff
Trees
Fences
Fox hunt
Any more suggestions?
Mark
-
I was in Ripon the other week and met up with Hazel of the Knowledge Magnet toy shop. She is keen to come again in February. She will bring a range of Playmobil concentrating on pocket money priced items.
Mark
-
I have a couple of those cameras - actually one arrived today. I have bids on some more so :crossed: hope I get them.
Elaine (http://www.anchoredbygrace.com/smileys/mgqueen.gif)
I was thinking that we could have a go at a film lot with a film being shot - we could discuss what sort of film it might be - I was thinking of "Robin Hood" - the archery contest scene. We could use camera on scaffolding and even a crane. (I have a "Catapult Castle" -no depth - that could be part of the back scene.) I can rework some of my jousting display from last year.
This could be done on a 8x4.
We will need - cameras, lighting (?), trailers, portaloos, crew, "actors and extras", Crane - anything else?
Mark
-
Hi everyone
I looked at my plan again and realised that I had got one of the dimensions wrong - the middle section was shown 12ft wide rather than the 16ft it should be. This would give us a large rural section on the lower level - with a beach and narrow band of sea (for holiday-makers-bathers, boats etc.) See new plan attached
I like Damo's suggestion of one end of the railway being a town (quite modern) and the other a village (older style buildings). I have suggested large areas of 8x8 at each end to allow for elements in addition to the railway tracks. (We only had 8x8 for the whole railway last year.)
I am okay for a fox hunting scene so long as we add hunt demostrators too!
This leads me to start a check list of what we need:
Railway track and trains
Station buildings
Town buildings - shops, houses
Village buildings - old houses
Farm
Holiday stuff
Trees
Fences
Fox hunt
Any more suggestions?
Mark
I can do the stations. I am currently making a massive railway passenger terminus out of 4302 - Main Station (http://playmodb.org/cgi-bin/showinv.pl?setnum=4302) and the smaller ones, to make a station with 3 platforms.
I have the farm mega set, so can do all that, along with associated items. I also have a large amount of ELC fences and hedges, which look really good in a countryside theme. I also have the old train station, and a few Steck houses (Elaine has as well, but maybe using the construction parts for Hogwarts :-\)
If you wanted to create a railyard/docks, I have a gantry crane and dockyard crane (But I still havent got the ship though)
I pressume Gordon will be in charge of the trains. I have plenty of spare RC track that I could code with a coloured dot sticker on the underside if Gordon runs out etc. (but I'm sure he is well equipped ;))
I'm trying to think what else I've got. I haven't got many buildings, but I am getting the doctors clinic for Christmas, and I have also got the post office and bakery buildings (If you already have a bakery then I have either the bank or florist set that could go in it instead)
I have lots of vehicles and accessories as well
Damo :)
-
Damo
We'll need to discuss rail and station requirements with Gordon but this soundslike a good contribution.
It sounds like we can make a great goods yard. The gantry crane would be great. (Hope we have room for a town too.)
The farm mega set would be ideal for the rural area - I was hoping someone would have one of these. We can start listing buildings. I have good number and it makes sense to use them - less far to travel.
I will put together a specification of the displays I am thinking of an we can use this as a basis for contributing sets.
Mark
-
Thanks for the revised plan, Mark. I thought you had just narrowed the central section to make the plan more compact.
The layout of the railway needs to be finalised first as it contains fixed items, i.e. minimum length piece of track and set radius of curves. The space for buildings and sidings is fairly limited - you don't get a lot in a given space with G gauge. I shall sort out some scale plans in the coming week. I was thinking of it being a small branch line rather than a mainline sort of layout, btw.
I would like to have some custom Steck based buildings in which I'm planning, e.g. a signal box, a station hall based on the old station but more compact, and I'm looking into incorporating some LGB track into the layout with an uncoupling unit in. I also have two modern, large stations and one of the small ones available.
I'll be bringing along two RC steam locos to use.
Don't forget that there is also an alternative layout (an end-to-end sytem) with a timetable for trains which I am looking at.
-
I can contribute the usual shops (or buildings) if needed - bakers, butchers, hairdressers, supermarket, toy shop, vets, garden centre, bank, post office, greengrocers, but I know that you have some so just cross these off my list.
I will be using all my steck houses and station though.
Gordon, could I borrow your red coaches again, also a bit of straight track and a buffer if possible for the Hogwarts Express.
Mark have you remembered that I will need an extra board (8 x 4) to raise up the castle? I can provide the supports for it.
I should have some holiday stuff and spare fences (the brown and the green ones).
Would the circus trailers be OK for the film set? I can provide 3 or 4 portaloos.
I'll also bring back your lighthouse for the pirates - do you want to use my large island?
Elaine (http://www.anchoredbygrace.com/smileys/mgqueen.gif)
-
Elaine
We'll look at needs for shops at some point when Gordon is happy with a track layout. I suspected that you would need your steck houses for Hogsmeade.
While you will need a board for the higher level that Hogwarts stands on, are you interested in spreadimg out over three baseboards? Basically taking the space that Damo had for his western set up. (Or do you want to do the same as in Kirkbean?)
Holiday stuff would be good - do you have a list or is it just stuff in boxes? You have the Marlin boat don't you?
All ideas and suggestions welcome.
Mark
Do you like the idea of the film set? Portaloos and circus trailers would be great. I may need some trucks.
I'll need the lighthouse back as we discussed.
-
3 boards to spreads out over would be great. I had planned on building some sort of 'hill' for the shrieking shack to stand on, to bring with me, and to make some sort of way down from Hogwarts to Hogsmeade too. Extra space would also allow me to extend Hogsmeade and the lake.
I don't have the boat - at least not yet, but I do keep looking at them ;D
Elaine (http://www.anchoredbygrace.com/smileys/mgqueen.gif)
-
I have the Marlin boat :wave:
Damo :)
-
No problem with the coaches and track, Elaine.
As I plan to build a coastal railway layout this year, I have plenty of seaside accessories, figures, the new fishing boat, pier parts from the new leisure sets and so on which I can bring along. I also have the safari water course bases which could be useful for using out the stream.
What is the marlin boat, btw?
-
This one Gordon ...
(http://playmodb.org/setpics/3645.jpg)
I have this catamaran, that I could bring ...
(http://playmodb.org/setpics/5130.jpg)
Elaine (http://www.anchoredbygrace.com/smileys/mgqueen.gif)
-
Thanks, Elaine, for the picture of the Marlin boat.
I think once the layout and the amount of space available for the seaside, town etc is known there will need to be some trying out as to what will fit where.
-
We will need LOTS of swimsuit klickies for the beach scene! ;)
Damo :)
-
We will need LOTS of swimsuit klickies for the beach scene! ;)
Damo :)
I have one of each so far. :)
-
I have one of each so far. :)
I have only the special, believe it or not :lol:
Damo :)
-
Mark, just to clarify the plan. All the grey area is raised, yes? Couldn't the 16ft area come out in line with the grey area to give greater depth for that part of the display? Or is it shallower to allow access to the railway in case of derailments etc?
-
Mark, just to clarify the plan. All the grey area is raised, yes? Couldn't the 16ft area come out in line with the grey area to give greater depth for that part of the display? Or is it shallower to allow access to the railway in case of derailments etc?
Gordon
These are both options I have been considering. I plan to use tables of different heights to set the levels required. (I need to do some measuring to ensure I can get the right height difference between the upper and lower levels - you asked for 7 inches.)
We could create a massive display of 32 ft x 8 ft (8 boards). This is do-able. There is a trade off between having more space for displaying sets at the front of the lower level and being able to reach the back if necessary. If you are happy that the trains can run okay along this straight section at the back then we can go ahead with a deep front section.
Mark
-
Doing a bit of precise measuring, it runs out at a height difference of about 5 and 3/8th inches, the height of a corner piece of Steck, and this may be too fiddly, although a bit of packing might solve any minor differences in height. It would allow Steck piers for supporting the bridge. It would be a single span bridge if there were two lines along the back as I only have two bridge lengths. If it were a single track along [part] of the back, then it could be a double span bridge.
I'm fairly confident that the trains will run OK without derailing or other problems. If we went the whole hog as regards length and width, would it be possible to have display, say, two and a half feet clear of the wall to allow access to the rear?
-
You could also use a pop-up. A hole in the center of the back section big enough to stand up in after crawling under the rest. (If your knees work - hmmm Damo will be there right? :D ). My concern with not having access is that invariably someone will bump the table at an inopportune moment and there will be all sorts of trouble.
-
Access to the back of the display
This is one of those cases where if one cannot reach the back then something will happen that means one has to get to the back. I am wary of giving up 2.5 ft at the back of the display. (That is 80 ft sq). The space I had initially allocated - 16 x 4 ft is the equivalent of the pirate or knights display last - is a pretty big area.
I'll think some more about this and get back to you.
I am not sure about Tiermann's suggestion of a pop-up hole as this is dependendent on the arrangement of the tables underneath and breaking into a 8x4 board.
Mark
-
If someone were to slip while crawling under, he could seriously shake the tables by running into table legs, or worse bump the bottom of the table, causing major destruction. Seems risky to me. But there needs to be some way to reach it or inevitably something will fall over.
-
Well, I think we take the risk, Mark.
-
If you were to do it seriously then you would have a wheeled scaffold tower (one side either side of the display) and then cross brace it above the display, and run boards across, so it can then be moved along the length of the display, and then pieces can be placed down from above.
Obviously we can't do that, so we will just have to risk it ;D
Damo :)
-
If you were to do it seriously then you would have a wheeled scaffold tower (one side either side of the display) and then cross brace it above the display, and run boards across, so it can then be moved along the length of the display, and then pieces can be placed down from above.
Obviously we can't do that, so we will just have to risk it ;D
Damo :)
We could get near to it by tying a rope eound your waist, attaching it to a long pole and then dangling you over the display. :)
-
We could get near to it by tying a rope eound your waist, attaching it to a long pole and then dangling you over the display. :)
I can imagine it now :lol: :lol: :lol:
Damo :)
-
Damo,
Sounds as if they are making you into their human sacrifice! On a long pole hanging from a rope? Hope there is not an open fire nearby!
The engineering is getting a bit complicated from the looks of this thread....should we call in the British equivalent of the US Army Corps of Engineers....so we can be certain that the whole darn thing will collapse the first time you breathe while crawling underneath it all?
Would you mind if I take out an enormous life insurance policy on you with me as sole beneficiary before you climb under this table or get vaporized in a massive car crash? I did this on our kids, and I sleep much better at night knowing there will at least be a large pay off if they are suddenly taken from this planet. Cheers, Pgal :wave:
-
Hi
To help people get a sense of the venue here it empty. The main room is a hall 41ft by 27ft.
Mark
-
I pressume that the long modern display will stop just before the start of the fire door and store room door to allow access to these. That means we would have access to that end of the table.
Are you planning to leave a similar gap the other end with intentions for end access to the display/maintenance area for Gordon, or butt the display right into the corner?
Mark, have you made a hall layout plan yet? is there going to be small displays in the middle, or all round the edge?
Damo :)
-
Damo
I have produced a sketch plan (attached). It revealed that 32ft seemed too long and I have reduced the length to 30ft.
I have not heard from Walter yet, but I have left space for a Christmas Railway.
The space in the middle could be used for the pirates rather than two other displays.
Is there something you specifically wanted to display? Or would you be happy contributing to the others, especially the large railway display?
Mark
-
Hello everyone and a happy New Year
I have heard from Walter and he is unable to attend the event in February. This means that the large display will be the only railway in the exhibition. It would be good, but not essential, if the trains could be "hands on".
I'll come back with some thoughts as to what we'll put in the space I had dedicated to Walter.
I picked up a Space themed Alien vehicle before Christmas so I would like to develop a Space themed display.
Mark
-
I had hands-on sessions at Knaresborough in 2011 and Kirkbean, so it can be done again.
-
I've been experimenting with some custom buildings for the display.
A small country station to start with:
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Knaresborough%20train%202012/Smallstationv1.jpg)
and a version with a different pattern of dormers:
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Knaresborough%20train%202012/Smallstationv2.jpg)
Interior showing the ticket area:
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Knaresborough%20train%202012/Stationinterior2.jpg)
and seating for when you've bought your ticket:
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Knaresborough%20train%202012/Stationinterior1.jpg)
-
Signal boxes next.
Version one with a door and balcony facing the track. The large door is for access to an equipment store and there is a small door at the back for access to the signal box itself with an internal ladder to the signal cabin:
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Knaresborough%20train%202012/Signalboxv1side.jpg)
And a front view:
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Knaresborough%20train%202012/Signalbox.jpg)
Version 2 with no balcony and external steps for access to the cabin. I'll add handrails if I use this design:
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Knaresborough%20train%202012/Signalboxv3side.jpg)
And version 3 with access to the cabin by an external ladder and a balcony:
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Knaresborough%20train%202012/Signalboxv2.jpg)
-
I like them all Gordon, but I think my favourite is the one with just the steps, it reminds me of one of the signal boxes near where I used to live.
http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/273573
Elaine (http://www.anchoredbygrace.com/smileys/mgqueen.gif)
-
Thanks for that, Elaine, and for the picture. I think the same, especially now I've seen that picture. What I will do is turn the roof round through 90 degrees, however.
-
Great pics, I must say the one with balcony is my favorite. :love:
-
Great pics, I must say the one with balcony is my favorite. :love:
I may try outside steps and a balcony.
-
I may try outside steps and a balcony.
:high5: That might look great!
-
I've just taken some time out to make a mock-up of the bridge which will be at the back of the display over a valley with a stream (and maybe a path or road) under it.
The first photo is a side view with a rule to give a guide to size - just over a metre in length. The wider Steck supports will be the end ones so one end of each will be against or maybe slightly under the baseboard carrying the track.
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Knaresborough%20train%202012/Sideview.jpg)
Here's an angled shot which gives a better view of the structure. The bridge parts will be screwed to thin MDF to keep them more rigid and safer from being knocked off.
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Knaresborough%20train%202012/Angleview.jpg)
A close-up of one of the end supports. All the supports will be finished off entirely in Steck walls where they are visible to the public and the sides will be topped with battlements. (Must put them on my DS order!)
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Knaresborough%20train%202012/Supportingwall.jpg)
Finally, a detail close-up of an end support showing a buttress style corner piece; these will be used on all the corners of the small, central pier and on the outward facing corners of the end supports. (Something else to order!)
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Knaresborough%20train%202012/Buttress.jpg)
-
Great stuff !!! correct me if i am wrong these are the LGB bridges there correct ? i love that bridge fits so nicely with the LGB truck and playmo trains !!!
-
That's going to be awesome, Gordon! Great idea, very creative.
-
Great stuff !!! correct me if i am wrong these are the LGB bridges there correct ? i love that bridge fits so nicely with the LGB truck and playmo trains !!!
They are, indeed, LGB bridges, George.
-
That's going to be awesome, Gordon! Great idea, very creative.
Thanks, BB. :wave:
-
LOVE the signal boxes, Gordon :love: :love: :love:
And I didn't realise just how well your LGB bridges fitted with the Steck!
Btw, I like your furniture. Is it G-Plan?
Damo :)
-
LOVE the signal boxes, Gordon :love: :love: :love:
And I didn't realise just how well your LGB bridges fitted with the Steck!
[color=blue[/color]Thanks, Damo.
As you say, the bridges go very well with the Steck. Together they look like a relatively newly painted metal bridge on old masonry piers.
On the down side, the bridges are a bit flexible feeling.
Btw, I like your furniture. Is it G-Plan?
It was made by a firm called E H Mcintosh in Kirkcaldy in Fife. The company started in 1869 and still exists but concentrates now on wooden furniture for educational use. We bought the dining room furniture in 1998 when we paid off the mortgage early. It replaced a sideboard, table and four chairs which we bought new for £100 in 1972 when we married. The £100 was a wedding present from Diane's parents. We also bought a six foot square piece of rush matting with the £100. You couldn't do that nowadays!
Damo :)
-
I was experimenting today with how to support the bridge lengths and, after looking at some photos of real bridges, came up with this idea:
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Knaresborough%20train%202012/Newsupport1.jpg)
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Knaresborough%20train%202012/Newsupport2.jpg)
I'd paint the supports grey to match the bridge and make them look like metal.
Here's how the bridge looks:
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Knaresborough%20train%202012/Newsupport3.jpg)
It's roughly 5 feet (150cm) long overall now and looks more imposing.
Whether I use this method or have the bridge sections resting directly on the piers, it will be necessary to trim down the Steck pieces so that the projections at the top of the Steck end pieces are level, so the whole thing is becoming more of a permanent custom with the supports maybe being glued together.
-
This is an update on developments. I attach a new plan of the layout of the displays.
We are looking at:
- a large layout for a coastal railway (30ft x 8ft). I have put this as Gordon's lead as he is providing the railway -though this will require a collective effort to pull off. I'll put together a working list of the sets we might want to include.
- a large Hogwarts display (12 x 8) with Elaine leading.
- a large pirate's display 12 x 4) - my lead.
- an underwater exploration (8 x 4) - my lead.
- a contruction site (shown as 8 x 4 on the plan but it can be larger - up to 16 x 4) - Damo's lead.
- The last two suggestions are flexible and include the idea of a film set making a Robin Hood film (archery contest scene) and a space display. It might just be one out of these two. I'll put together some further ideas on these two shortly.
I have relegated the Gulliver's Travels idea from this year as we do not have the space this would require.
I have left some room for a table for the local toyshop to display.
Does this all sound reasonable?
Mark
-
Sounds OK to me, Mark.
Was Gary unable to come, btw?
-
That sounds OK to me too.
Do you want my space things?
Elaine (http://www.anchoredbygrace.com/smileys/mgqueen.gif)
-
Elaine
I would like to go with Space. I have a 3080 Starship; 3092 Dark Invader; 3280 Alien Control Centre; 3283 Alien Prison Pod and a 3095 Vortex Voyager. If you can bring your space items too that would be great.
I need to decide if we can go with the film set of Robin Hood. Did you get some cameras? and do you have some caravans, trailers, portaloos etc?
Gordon - do you have some lights from 3179 Fire Support Vehicle that might be suitable? for the film set.
Damo - I await your indication of how much space you will need for construction I can go from 8x4 up to 16x4, and sizes inbetween.
Mark
-
Yes, Mark, and from the THW set and some spares.
-
I have these Mark...
(http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/ac300/skypurr/tvcrew-1.jpg)
plus another van.
I have a small caravan and some circus trailers that could be used.
Damo and Gordon may also have some caravans :)
This is what I have in my space collection...
(http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/ac300/skypurr/spaceships1.jpg)
(http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/ac300/skypurr/threespaceships.jpg)
(http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/ac300/skypurr/robots.jpg)
(http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/ac300/skypurr/morespacemen.jpg)
(http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/ac300/skypurr/aliens.jpg)
(http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/ac300/skypurr/playmospace.jpg)
(http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/ac300/skypurr/spacestation.jpg)
Elaine (http://www.anchoredbygrace.com/smileys/mgqueen.gif)
-
Nice space collection, Elaine. The 3079 is very cool, but looks like a nightmare to construct. How long did it take?
-
Mark, I've had a looksie, and I think 8x4 for construction will be more than adequate.
Any bigger, and I'd just be having to fill it with random things, but that size, I can create a very detailed and concise scene, without there being too much or too little.
So that's me for construction, and anything Gordon requires for the Coastal railway setup.
I have the first caravan (missing awning), the classic yellow campervan, and also the latest caravan, the same as Gordon (but Gordon will probably use his for the Coastal railway)
I can also supply some trailers, generators, things to that effect etc to add to Elaine's camera crew etc
Damo :)
-
Hi
It looks like we are set up for the displays as they appear on my last plan (5 Jan). Elaine's TV cameras would be great for the film set. Any lights that Gordon can add will be fantastic. All caravans, campers, loos, generators will finish us off nicely. I intend to use a 5738 Catapult castle as part of the background (its quite flat). I welcome more medieval klickies for this as well as using some modern day klickies behind the cameras.
I'll use my 3666 as part of the Pirate display.
The space display should be great. Elaine, you can leave the old Playmospace stuff as I am not convinced it mixes well with the later stuff. The 3079 Space Station is amazing. I will need to come up with something more than a flat board for this display.
Damo - do you have preferred colour for your baseboard? I can get some real sand if you need it.
Mark
-
I have a draft poster for the exhibition. It is based on last year's design (brand continuity) but with a new klicky figure. I cannot get it small enough (in KBs) to post here so I am sending to participants directly.
I managed to buy the klicky on the poster (3293) last week in W H Smiths so he will be part of the show.
It looks like the displays to be included are finalised. We just need to work out what they will all include.
Mark
-
The poster is excellent, Mark - very striking and very clear.
-
The poster is very striking, as Gordon said :wow:
I pressume we are using boards from last year, so one from my western (the sandy yellow colour) will do perfectly fine. I may need to add some different colours to it, but we shall see.
Damo :)
-
Last year we used 14 8x4 boards (5 for City Life, 3 for Western, 2 each for Knights and Pirates and 1 each for Circus and Vikings). The Scouts used 2 grey City Life boards to make a viking long ship for the Great Knaresborough Bed Race. I have pictures.
This year we need 18 boards (8 for the coastal railway, 4 for Hogwarts, 2 for the pirates, 1 each for Space, Film set, Construction and underwater.) So I'll need another six boards this year.
Damo - I have no problem letting you have a yellow painted base board for your construction site. Are there any particular colours you'll need?
Mark
-
When will the boards be set up, Mark? I ask because painting the lower level middle section will need to be lined up with the bridge so that the river/stream goes under it. (As it's a two span bridge, a road might go under the other span.)
I'll be over on the Friday, aiming to arrive about 10:30.
-
Gordon
I plan to set things up as best I can on the Wed and Thur. I can paint some general zones of the railway display - field, beach and sea on the lower level - grey townscape above.
The thinner rail area connecting at the back can be 1ft or les in thickness. I want to build some steep slopes down from these. Probably cardboard and papier mache painted.
If you can consider the position of the bridge from any test set ups you are doing I can use this to paint in the river and a road to the shore. With a two span bridge we can have a river under one span and a road under the other next to it.
The lower area can include a farm (Damo contribution) and boats on the sea (about 1ft wide a the front of the display and whatever holiday activity we can include on the beach and behind.
-
Mark,
Here are some scans of the proposed track layout. Each square represents 1 sq ft. and the baseboard is edged out in black. The squares along the back on the two scans add up to 16'. The sidings are just ideas and will be decided at the setting up stage.
First, the left hand (6' x 8') end:
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Knaresborough%20train%202012/Kn2012lefthand010.jpg)
The bridge is 5 ft long.
Now a version of the right hand (8' x 8') end:
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire
/Knaresborough%20train%202012/Kn2012righthandv1009.jpg)
The area to the left of the track on the end baseboard could be used for town with maybe some houses on the "plain" below.
Lastly, an alternative version of the right hand end:
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Knaresborough%20train%202012/Kn2012righthand011v2.jpg)
Despite the bigger size, the scale is the same and the back run is just cut off short. This layout allows room for the town on the right hand side inside the track.
As regards the width of the run at the rear, I'll know exactly when I've got my latest DS order as I can then measure exactly the width available on the bridge supports. This should be in about 14 days' time, but if that's too late, I can make a good guess earlier.
-
Gordon
Thanks for this. It looks good and is really useful for having some things sorted on the base boards for when you get to Knaresborough.
The only comments I have are -
1. do we want the river this wide? Its nearly 2ft. The answer depends on a balance between what items we have on the river and what we want to put on the surrounding fields.
2. I would also say that I am looking to use the front 1ft of the lower area as sea (for pleasure and leisure) with a beach behind this, before the fields. The beach may be only around 6-9inches wide. I will be looking to have holiday maker klickies pooled from our collections.
3. I think we covered the total width being 30ft long. This was based on having done a plan and finding we were in danger of obstructing the way to the fire exit in the corner. I'll check this again.
Mark
-
Hi Mark,
I'm not sure what happened but I replied to your post yesterday, and my reply seems to have disappeared. I'll try again.
The bridge length of 5' is to scale, but the spans (there are two of them) and the intermediate pier are not. Each span is roughly 17.5'' between piers. I must admit that I'd been thinking of a lateral division with the beach, the river and then the farmland and town. That would give roughly 4' to the beach side of things and (allowing 2' 6'' for the first half of the bridge and piers) approx 9'6'' for the road, farm and town, the river being a natural border between the beach and the grassland on the other side.
-
Gordon,
Regarding the railway-bridge, have you considered making the central support larger and using arc-sections from the 3449 Medieval Museum or 4300 Train Station, to connect it to the outer supports?
Just my :2c:, but I think a bridge with those arcs would look good.
http://playmodb.org/cgi-bin/showpart.pl?partnum=30-02-8640
-
Gordon,
Regarding the railway-bridge, have you considered making the central support larger and using arc-sections from the 3449 Medieval Museum or 4300 Train Station, to connect it to the outer supports?
Just my :2c:, but I think a bridge with those arcs would look good.
http://playmodb.org/cgi-bin/showpart.pl?partnum=30-02-8640
I have one of these arches, Erwin, and I'm using it in a station.
-
Gordon,
Regarding the railway-bridge, have you considered making the central support larger and using arc-sections from the 3449 Medieval Museum or 4300 Train Station, to connect it to the outer supports?
Just my :2c:, but I think a bridge with those arcs would look good.
http://playmodb.org/cgi-bin/showpart.pl?partnum=30-02-8640
That would be a possibility, Erwin, but I only have one of the triple arches and that is in a custom station.
Hmmm, my previous post didn't seem to have been posted so I did this one, but then both are there. ???
-
That would be a possibility, Erwin, but I only have one of the triple arches and that is in a custom station.
Hmmm, my previous post didn't seem to have been posted so I did this one, but then both are there. ???
I should have at least 3 of the arches. If you would like to try out the concept, I could lend them to you. (I'd need them back after the try-out or the exhibition then).
Let me know if I should search for them, cause they're dispearsed in my collection and finding them would take a while...
-
I should have at least 3 of the arches. If you would like to try out the concept, I could lend them to you. (I'd need them back after the try-out or the exhibition then).
Let me know if I should search for them, cause they're dispearsed in my collection and finding them would take a while...
Thank you, Erwin, that's very kind of you. I'd like to try it out with an eye to my planned garage layout, so if you would search them out I'd be very pleased, but no rush, however, as you have the time.
-
As the date is getting close, I thought I'd jot down what I am planning to bring for the coastal railway scene.
Train/railway items
2 x steam locos
3 x blue coaches plus red coach(es) for Elaine's Hogwart's Express
Track for planned layout, plus spare lengths
Signals
2 x Steck custom stations
1 x Steck custom signal box
1 x Steck custom water tower
1 x Steck custom goods shed (I'm not planning to bring the building I used for the goods shed last year - http://www.playmobil.co.uk/on/demandware.store/Sites-GB-Site/en_GB/Product-Show?pid=6213&cgid=Ds_Gebaeude_und_Einrichtung - Damo if you think it would be useful for your farm scene, let me know)
2 x bridges plus supporting piers
Various items of luggage, figures, cargo etc.
Town related
Fire engines - probably 3
Unimog construction vehicles - probably 2
Small bus
Various cars and motorcycles
Custom System-X fire station (a smaller version of last year's)
2 x Steck houses
1 x Steck custom two storey house
Various figures and accessories
1 x paramedic car
1 x ambulance
Beach/sea related
Various figures
1 x small fishing boat
1 x rowing boat
1 x ice cream cart
1 x beach lifeguard set - http://www.playmobil.co.uk/on/demandware.store/Sites-GB-Site/en_GB/Product-Show?pid=3664&cgid=DISCONTINUED
1 x yacht
1 x landing area - http://playmodb.org/cgi-bin/showpart.pl?partnum=30%2022%204342
If any of these duplicate what other people are bringing or which seem unnecessary, please let me know.
If other items come to mind later, I'll post further.
If anyone thinks I have omitted anything, please let me know.
-
Ok I've started putting a few things together:
Contribution to Film set:
Couple of Blue porta-loos
large yellow trailer
Some packing cases
Old caravan
Generators
Contribution to railway:
4055 Farm set
Some loose animals
some fencing
some odd pieces, tractors etc
Fencing, hedging, walling
Some material to make a paddock.
Can I create a gymcanna/horsy jumpingy eventy thing in the paddock?
Construction display:
Tower crane
Artic dump truck
Excavator
Generators
Mini diggers
Dumper trucks
Rollers
Klickies
Tools/equipment
Fences
Road sections
Signage/barriers/cones
Unimog
Trailers
I still need to think about making a skyskraper foundation ie ground floor with a 1st floor and some odd girders, bricks etc.
I also want to make a large mountain of soil (prbably paper mache underneath) which I can sit the large excavator on top, loading the dump truck.
Damo :)
-
Ok, here is a paddock with horsey event I quickly set up in about 5 mins
It could go behind the farm
(http://img813.imageshack.us/img813/2517/trailerbike078.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/813/trailerbike078.jpg/)
(http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/1881/trailerbike079.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/141/trailerbike079.jpg/)
(http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/4878/trailerbike080.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/43/trailerbike080.jpg/)
I really din't put much thought (or Playmobil) in to it, as it was just a quick idea, but I have many more/better jumps, horses, Klickies etc, so it could look really good :)
There are plenty of the hedges/fences and walls to go round, to stretch into the village/town etc
Perhaps we can paint some farm lanes/tracks to go between the farm and this paddock, and the village etc
I have no idea of the space or what is going where with the railway display, so if I am going too far then please stop me :-[
Damo :)
-
That seems a good idea to me Damo,
I like the use of the wedding marquee for it too.
It would lend itself to quite a lot of activity with mums and dads and kiddies and a lady in a big hat to present the prizes. :)
-
That seems a good idea to me Damo,
I like the use of the wedding marquee for it too.
It would lend itself to quite a lot of activity with mums and dads and kiddies and a lady in a big hat to present the prizes. :)
Ooh yes that's a great idea - I could use the trophy from the car racing set as well, and have a prizes table in the marquee, as well as one with papers on for entering.
I think it would be a nice little addition, as there are lots of little girls (and boys) who are interested in horses
Damo :)
-
The gymkhana is a great idea, Damo, as are Elaine's sggestions for it. It looks pretty good already and doesn't need a lot adding imo. (I once did a very full fire display with lots of action and detail and it was really too much for the youngsters to appreciate and too crowded for some of the action and detail to be seen properly.) However, trying different jumps and horses is a good idea.
I am, of course, bringing some lighting for the film set and some fencing for your construction scene.
System-X parts give a good construction effect. I'll post some pics from laast year in a new topic on Knaresborough 2011.
Spave is about 16' by 7' overall. There is a latest plan showing how Mark is planning things in this topic.
-
I'll go steady on the detail then, Gordon :-[
Elaine's letting me have her tractor mounted meadow topper, which I am putting in the corner of the paddock, but that's it :P
(I did also think of adding an old cone, and some old jump poles and a pig gestation crate in the corner as well, but guessing you might think it's too much!) :P
Only becuase those are the exact things that are in the corner of our's at college! :lol:
Damo :)
-
With the construction, I haven't really got much SystemX to make it from that. I was just thinking of cutting two largeish squares of plywood, and covering them in either concrete coloured paint or scenery mat, and then creating some grey girderish uprights etc, and then I could have Klickies welding, bricking up in between, red oxidising the steel etc etc
Not really sure how it's all going to look, but I'm frightened I'm going to put too much detail in
- I've already put together fire points, with extinguishers and buckets of sand :-[
Damo :)
-
Do you need to borrow some system x Damo? I could bring some along.
I'm bringing Hogwarts and Hogsmeade of course - I may need some extra train track as I thought of putting the station at the part of Hogsmeade nearer to the castle.
I plan to build some sort of hill to place the Shrieking Shack on, probably made out of papier mache.
For the other displays I'll bring all my camera stuff (I found another camera with stand) and some trailers and portaloos. Would some sort of kiosk serving drinks be an idea? I have an old 3418 kiosk but it's not complete.
3418 - Kiosk And Bicyclists (http://playmodb.org/cgi-bin/showinv.pl?setnum=3418)
I'll bring the space stuff too.
Do you want anything for the underwater display Mark?
Let me know if anything of mine is needed regarding shops, vehicles, park, klickies etc. for the town or village.
For the seashore I have some of the 3660 beach chairs
3660 - Beach Chair (http://www.playmodb.org/cgi-bin/showinv.pl?set=3660)
and seagulls. Would the Sinterklaas steamboat be any good for a fishing boat ? (without Santa of course!)
5206 - Father Christmas' Steamboat (http://www.playmodb.org/cgi-bin/showinv.pl?set=5206)
I have a couple of surfboarders and a jet ski too.
Would a vacation cottage be any use as a beach hut?
3771 - Vacation Cottage (http://playmodb.org/cgi-bin/showinv.pl?setnum=3771)
Let me know if there's anything I've forgotten!
Elaine (http://www.anchoredbygrace.com/smileys/mgqueen.gif)
-
Gordon, do you have this one?
3183 - Catamaran (http://playmodb.org/cgi-bin/showinv.pl?setnum=3183)
If not, and you want to borrow it for the display I can bring it along
It's all there in it's box
Damo :)
-
SystemX's required!
Ok, so I took Gordon's comments in to account, and I have now redisgned the structure using System X parts
Only the ground floor will be made from plywood, painted grey.
The whole structure will be approx 21x21" and have a ground floor (plywood) a 1st floor, a 2nd floor, and then a metal span roof being put on by the crane.
I have just realised that I have very little System X :-[
Is it possible to borrow from anyone? My structure needs the following:
In white:
10x Long double column (Got 2)
20x Long single column (got 4)
Or either a combo of the two - I'm making large 2x2 columns)
8x Short double column
8x Short single column
20x Square blocks (got 5)
8x red end caps (got 3) they come with the airport goods building)
12x large rectangular baseboards in grey
Please can anyone help?
If anyone else reads this and would like to sell or trade me the parts then that would be even better :)
Damo :)
-
Gordon, do you have this one?
3183 - Catamaran (http://playmodb.org/cgi-bin/showinv.pl?setnum=3183)
If not, and you want to borrow it for the display I can bring it along
It's all there in it's box
Damo :)
No, I haven'nt, Damo. I'll get back to you in the light of the space available.
-
I'll go steady on the detail then, Gordon :-[
Elaine's letting me have her tractor mounted meadow topper, which I am putting in the corner of the paddock, but that's it :P
(I did also think of adding an old cone, and some old jump poles and a pig gestation crate in the corner as well, but guessing you might think it's too much!) :P
Only becuase those are the exact things that are in the corner of our's at college! :lol:
Damo :)
Don't get hung up on the question of detail, Damo, just do it as you think it should be and take it from there.
-
Perhaps we can paint some farm lanes/tracks to go between the farm and this paddock, and the village etc
I have no idea of the space or what is going where with the railway display, so if I am going too far then please stop me :-[
Damo :)
I think tracks are a good idea, but they will popbably need to be done last thing Friday night when the actual set up is known.
I will look at space allocation tonight on the basis of Mark's plan.
-
Do you need to borrow some system x Damo? I could bring some along.
I'm bringing Hogwarts and Hogsmeade of course - I may need some extra train track as I thought of putting the station at the part of Hogsmeade nearer to the castle.
I plan to build some sort of hill to place the Shrieking Shack on, probably made out of papier mache.
For the other displays I'll bring all my camera stuff (I found another camera with stand) and some trailers and portaloos. Would some sort of kiosk serving drinks be an idea? I have an old 3418 kiosk but it's not complete.
3418 - Kiosk And Bicyclists (http://playmodb.org/cgi-bin/showinv.pl?setnum=3418)
I'll bring the space stuff too.
Do you want anything for the underwater display Mark?
Let me know if anything of mine is needed regarding shops, vehicles, park, klickies etc. for the town or village.
For the seashore I have some of the 3660 beach chairs
3660 - Beach Chair (http://www.playmodb.org/cgi-bin/showinv.pl?set=3660)
and seagulls. Would the Sinterklaas steamboat be any good for a fishing boat ? (without Santa of course!)
5206 - Father Christmas' Steamboat (http://www.playmodb.org/cgi-bin/showinv.pl?set=5206)
I have a couple of surfboarders and a jet ski too.
Would a vacation cottage be any use as a beach hut?
3771 - Vacation Cottage (http://playmodb.org/cgi-bin/showinv.pl?setnum=3771)
Let me know if there's anything I've forgotten!
Elaine (http://www.anchoredbygrace.com/smileys/mgqueen.gif)
No problem about extra track, Elaine.
I think we can use some of the things you suggest for the beach area, Elaine, but I'm trying to get an idea of size at the moment. I have some surfers, however.
-
SystemX's required!
Ok, so I took Gordon's comments in to account, and I have now redisgned the structure using System X parts
Only the ground floor will be made from plywood, painted grey.
The whole structure will be approx 21x21" and have a ground floor (plywood) a 1st floor, a 2nd floor, and then a metal span roof being put on by the crane.
I have just realised that I have very little System X :-[
Is it possible to borrow from anyone? My structure needs the following:
In white:
10x Long double column (Got 2)
20x Long single column (got 4)
Or either a combo of the two - I'm making large 2x2 columns)
8x Short double column
8x Short single column
20x Square blocks (got 5)
8x red end caps (got 3) they come with the airport goods building)
12x large rectangular baseboards in grey
Please can anyone help?
If anyone else reads this and would like to sell or trade me the parts then that would be even better :)
Damo :)
I'll check what I've got, Damo, and get back to you in a day or so's time.
-
Btw, Damo, those ELC hedges and fences look just the job.
-
I'll check what I've got, Damo, and get back to you in a day or so's time.
Thanks, Gordon :)
Sorry it is such a big ask, but it would this thing is going to look amazing if I can get the parts :)
Btw, Damo, those ELC hedges and fences look just the job.
I have had them for years, and have used them with all sorts of toys :)
Damo :)
-
Thanks, Gordon :)
Sorry it is such a big ask, but it would this thing is going to look amazing if I can get the parts :)
Damo :)
No problem; only too pleased to help.
-
Do you mean the cargo zone for the end pieces Damo? If so I can let you have anything you need from that.
Elaine (http://www.anchoredbygrace.com/smileys/mgqueen.gif)
-
Hello
This seems a good way of taking stock of what we have and can provide.
Gordon – you seem to have the railway taken care of.
I have buildings for the town:
Supermarket 3200, delivery van 3204
Post Office 4400
Bank in Small City House 3959
Butchers in shop 7687
Police Station 3159, police car and motorbike
Large City House 3988 x 2 (no furniture as they have been used as a hospital)
Recycling truck
Café 3254 – possibly by the beach
We can use adn spot and leisure stuff available for the beach.
I have assorted Klickies.
Damo - Gordon is right the space at the lower front of the display is 16 x 7ft. There will be a river cutting through this. What size is your gymkhana display?
Construction site
I have system X pieces and base pieces that would make a building under construction – e.g. the airport. I cannot say just how many particular pieces there will be available.
“Robin Hood” Film Set
I have a number of sets I used for the jousting last year. I’ll make archery targets as I don’t think the new Special will be out by then. I have:
Merry men
Men at arms and Knights
The back of the set will be the Catapult castle 5738
I have some vehicles I can use – 4x4 etc and film crew.
I could use the cameras, portaloos, trailers etc.
Pirates
This will be similar to last year but I plan to put a 3666 castle garrison in a corner. Does anyone have any redcoats?
There will be the naval stronghold 3112 and the lighthouse Elaine is returning. I have a 3286 ship for the pirates and a spare 3286 I intend to convert to a navy frigate. I could use a Navy crew for this ship. And does anyone have a Union Jack flag?
The Underwater Exploration is just about covered from my end.
I have various boats (Expedition Ship 4469, Rescue Boat 3941 and Research Boat with Sperm Whale 4489)
submarines (Research Sub 4473, Rescue Sub 3064 and Diving Bell 4478) and
divers – (Deepsea divers 4658 and 4479, and sports divers 3772) .
I could possibly use some under water wild life – shark,s whales etc.
I trust that this covers most things.
Mark
-
I think there needs to be a careful look at the space available for the village and town parts of the railway layout. The thinking so far has been the village and town being on the raised section but with the layouts I posted recently, there is an area 6' by 1' at one end (a row of, say, 5 or 6 Steck houses) and an area 7' by 2' at the other for the modern town. Neither, and especially the latter, allows much space. The old town could be split over the upper and lower level between the raised part and the river and I can rejig the track at the other end to make more room, although this will have possible implications for railway buldings.
I have one or two ideas how space might be allocated which I'll put into a sketch "map" later today and post up.
-
Gordon
You are correct. This is why I would suggest that I provide the other buildings as I only have to bring them "around the corner". They can be available but if we don't use them its not as if they have been brought across the country. I do not feel we have to worry too much about the towns. The railway is the main feature at the sides and back and we just need to work around it. It sounds like the modern town may have space for a street with buildings on one side.
I look forward to seeing your sketches.
Can I get a confirmation of the height difference you want between the levels? I need to look at how to set this up.
-
If my shops etc aren't needed Damo, I could supply probably supply you with system x.
I can check if I have all that you need if you like.
Elaine (http://www.anchoredbygrace.com/smileys/mgqueen.gif)
-
Well, here are some ideas for the centre of the layout (and, actually, a bit of one of the raised sections). I've only shown one end and half the centre section so far because if nobody likes the ideas, then I haven't wasted too much time.
Here it is (with apologies for the rough and ready approach):
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Knaresborough%20train%202012/KnaresboroughLHend001.jpg)
Some facts and figures to put things in context:
- each square is 1' by 1';
- a Steck house is 7.25'' by 7.25'';
- the fishing boat (http://playmodb.org/setpics/5131.jpg) is 7.25'' long (this is as an example of boat that could be used; the yachts are also this length.
The rectangle at the left hand end is the raised railway section, as is the narrow rectangle running along the back.
The suggestion to use the space on the raised section for a row (maybe a terrace of four) Steck houses with a pathway (it could be grass) in front of them (c 2'' wide) and a fence along the edge of the board to give a row of clifftop cottages. This is marked A.
Turning to the centre, lower, section, there is 7' from the front to edge of the "cliffs" along which the railway runs. I'm suggesting 1' strip of sea and then a 1' strip of beach (the line between the beach and the sea needn't be a straight one, of course) and then a road (6" wide) dividng the beach from the fields beyond. This gives a natural transition from fields to beach and also allows access to the terrace of Steck houses (fishermen's cottages?) below the cliffs - marked B. Also at the left hand end of the road, there could be the dock ramp (http://playmodb.org/cgi-bin/showpart.pl?partnum=30-22-4342) to give access to the sea for boat owners.
This leaves an area of roughly 4.5' by 7' for fields, farms, trees etc.
To keep things simple for the moment, I've not indicated where the railway bridge will go or the river. The river can get to the sea by flowing under the road.
Any comments welcomed.
-
Gordon
This is a sound proposal and I agree with it as a general layout. (Do you have the height difference between the layers?)
I am thinking of creating some contouring on the land using large sheets of corrugated card. It is a reasonably easy way to create some shape over a large area.
I'll be using this on the pirates to raise the castle and on the Space to create an alien landscape.
Mark
-
One for Elaine
I was looking at the Hogwarts picture from Kirkbean again. Just how big was the board that the castle/school rested on. Was it 8x4? It looks bigger. Do want a grey board for this that we can add green to? Do you have the green paper you used for grassy areas?
Mark
-
Yes it was 8x4.
I have the green, and the grey material to cover the gap behind the rocks. I also have a few more rocks thanks to Playmofool.
I was wondering about making some sort of walkway down from the castle to the village, that I could just put in place instead of the green paper. I'll see what I can come up with.
Elaine (http://www.anchoredbygrace.com/smileys/mgqueen.gif)
-
I'll look further into the remaining areas of the railway display, Mark. I may ebd up modifying what I've said so far, but we'll see what comes up.
As regards a bit of landscaping for the railway, if you can get some stiff brown paper, crumple it slightly and then glue it from the top edges of the end raised boards and the one running along the back and then to the lower board to form a cliff, then after a coat of diluted PVA (or even neat PVA) to stiffen it, it can be painted in brown for the more vertical surfaces and green for the more horizontal ones.
As regards height, I'll measure up tomorrow in the daylight and let you know.
-
Ok I've started putting a few things together:
Contribution to railway:
4055 Farm set
Some loose animals
some fencing
some odd pieces, tractors etc
Fencing, hedging, walling
Some material to make a paddock.
Damo :)
Damo, can you give me a rough estimate of the area the 4055 set etc will take up, please? This will help in deciding what space there is for other things.
I also have a tractor and plough and the DS farm water bowser if they would be any use. I also have some goats and sheep and pigs if needed.
Thinking of the gymkhana, you could also have a field or grass area set aside for car parking.
-
Gordon,
Thank you for this detailed plan - I like it very much
I'm afraid I don't have accurate measurements of the farm - just guessing at the moment
I think I am ok for farm things - I have most of the farm sets, with lots of tractors, trailers, impliments etc
The gymcana base mat measures 4ftx2ft, so that can go portrait to the front, with a farm lane running parallel to the right of it leading from the road at the bottom to the top of the paddock where the gate is.
The farm yard can then go parallel to the right of the farm lane, with the entrance to the yard from the bottom right corner of the lane (diagonally opposite as it were to the paddock entrance at the other end of the lane), and perhaps the farm house horizontal to the road, and the farm yard behind it, accessed by the gate.
The farm yard would be, say, 3 - 3.5ft wide
I could then have the space at the back of the farm yard (it wouldn't be as long in depth as the paddock) as another fieldy area for car parking/storage (Got to have a bit of a farm dump there! ;D) accessed by a gate directly opposite to that of the gymcanna paddock.
The farm lane can then either bear left or right (or both) and/or continue under your proposed (bridge?)
I'm expecting the farm lanes to be approx. 6" wide, and so the remaining foot or so can be taken up with some fields with cows or somewhat in.
Basically 4 blocks of land of different sizes, inter-connected by farm lanes in places
If any of that makes any sense at all!
Damo :)
-
Gordon said
if you can get some stiff brown paper, crumple it slightly and then glue it from the top edges of the end raised boards and the one running along the back and then to the lower board to form a cliff, then after a coat of diluted PVA (or even neat PVA) to stiffen it, it can be painted in brown for the more vertical surfaces and green for the more horizontal ones.
Funnily this was exactly what I was thinking of. It is the simplest way of doing a bit of short term landscaping of slopes.
I was going to suggest the same for Elaine's raised Hogwarts too.
Mark
-
It's the system I had as a teenager on my Hornby OO railway. I painted the rocks a reddy brown for sandstone. Mind you, in those days brown paper was much stiffer than now and I just painted it with no base coat of pva. I suppose it's probably better to paint the less glossy side.
-
Elaine said
Yes it was 8x4.
I have the green, and the grey material to cover the gap behind the rocks. I also have a few more rocks thanks to Playmofool.
I was wondering about making some sort of walkway down from the castle to the village, that I could just put in place instead of the green paper. I'll see what I can come up with.
Did you see my plan for the exhibition layout? It had the 8 x 4 board for Hogwarts at the back corner of a 12 x 8 base. This leaves 4 x 8 front to back for Hogsmeade. This is a slightly different set up to what you had. See diagram attached. Is this okay?
Mark
-
That will be fine Mark.
I can have the rocks around it and I thought I would put the station at the far end of the board this time because there will be space there, then have the village set around the far end of the board and the lake.
Will the height of the base boards be the height of a table or will they be lower like Damo's western diorama last year?
The only problem will be reaching to the back to set the castle up - I may need some help with placing things in position!
Elaine (http://www.anchoredbygrace.com/smileys/mgqueen.gif)
-
Elaine
I was going to put them low like Damo's Western display. The boards should be very stable so it will be possible to climb on them to set up the back first - and then work forward from there.
Will you want the higher (hogwarts) board cut around the edges to make it less regular. I now have a jigsaw so this is relatively easy to do.
Mark
-
Here's a look at the lower, centre section of the railway display with some layout suggestions.
As before, one square is 1' by 1'.
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Knaresborough%20train%202012/Knaresboroughcentre001.jpg)
The free space is for the modern town; there is additional space on the raised end board to the left of the railway:
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Knaresborough%20train%202012/Kn2012righthandv1009.jpg)
-
I like it very much, Gordon.
So is the area marked 'free space' on the first drawing, and the areas around the railway on the second for the modern town? So it will be on split levels?
That sounds great
All I ask is if there is some land somewhere for my cows :)
The car parking for the Gymkhana can be in the rear of the farm yard (or wherever)
Damo :)
-
I like it very much, Gordon.
So is the area marked 'free space' on the first drawing, and the areas around the railway on the second for the modern town? So it will be on split levels?
That sounds great
All I ask is if there is some land somewhere for my cows :)
The car parking for the Gymkhana can be in the rear of the farm yard (or wherever)
Damo :)
Thanks, Damo, and don't worry, the area in dark green (fields) is all part of the farm for your cows. I was thinking of altering this piece of Steck
http://playmodb.org/cgi-bin/showpart.pl?partnum=30-07-6700
into a simple arch to make a narrow bridge unxder the railway in the back of the field so your cows can go through to better pasture out of sight.
BTW, to keep the drawing simple, I've kept largely to straight lines, but the road under the bridge and the where the beach meets the sea can all be curved about.
I'll look at the space on the raised area tomorrow if I have time.
-
Mark, if the underside of the raised section is 5 and 7/16ths above the lower section, the bridge supports will just slip under it and the track and bridges can rest on top of it. The brown paper cliffs and the battlements on the bridge supports will hide the board.
-
Elaine
I was going to put them low like Damo's Western display. The boards should be very stable so it will be possible to climb on them to set up the back first - and then work forward from there.
Will you want the higher (hogwarts) board cut around the edges to make it less regular. I now have a jigsaw so this is relatively easy to do.
Mark
Either irregular or just curved at the edges would be great Mark.
Elaine (http://www.anchoredbygrace.com/smileys/mgqueen.gif)
-
Gordon
So its 5 & 7/16ths (not quite 5 &1/2 inches - 14cm). Duly noted.
The drawing is useful. I can use this to mark out and paint the boards in advance.
I see you are suggesting bringing the modern town down to the lower level for a split level effect. Are there particular buildings we can put there? I have a cafe for by the beach. I would suggest a few shops.
Mark
-
Gordon
So its 5 & 7/16ths (not quite 5 &1/2 inches - 14cm). Duly noted.
The drawing is useful. I can use this to mark out and paint the boards in advance.
I see you are suggesting bringing the modern town down to the lower level for a split level effect. Are there particular buildings we can put there? I have a cafe for by the beach. I would suggest a few shops.
Mark
I'm just back from a couple of days helping with my m-in-l's accommodation, during which time I've been able to think some more. It gives you more flexibility on buildings and layout if the free space area is also raised level with the 8' by 8' board at the end. It would still allow you to have the cafe.
-
Gordon
I am happy with the split level approach. I am still needing to look at what configuration of tables and packing will allow us to get the two levels. I would rather not make the higher areas bigger in area, even if that is by a further 2ft (which is about as much of the free space as we could take).
-
Gordon
I am happy with the split level approach. I am still needing to look at what configuration of tables and packing will allow us to get the two levels. I would rather not make the higher areas bigger in area, even if that is by a further 2ft (which is about as much of the free space as we could take).
That's OK by me, too, Mark. If you need it, I can provide a small fire station (I'll provide dimensions later this week. I'm not planning a big fire service presence, just a pump and rescue tender dealing with a youngster's head stuck in the station railings (if Elaine doesn't mind me using her railings).
-
just a pump and rescue tender dealing with a youngster's head stuck in the station railings
Oh yes! :wow: :wow: :wow: :lol: :lol: :lol:
Damo :)
-
Oh yes! :wow: :wow: :wow: :lol: :lol: :lol:
Damo :)
Glad you like the idea, Damo. :wave:
-
Glad you like the idea, Damo. :wave:
How are you going to do it? :D
Mangle a fence section? or dismantle a klicky child and reassemble them either side of the railings? :lol:
Damo :)
-
How are you going to do it? :D
Mangle a fence section? or dismantle a klicky child and reassemble them either side of the railings? :lol:
Damo :)
He'd better not :0 :0 :0
I've waited years for these railings!
Have they arrived then Gordon? :yippee:
Elaine (http://www.anchoredbygrace.com/smileys/mgqueen.gif)
-
He'd better not :0 :0 :0
I've waited years for these railings!
Have they arrived then Gordon? :yippee:
Elaine (http://www.anchoredbygrace.com/smileys/mgqueen.gif)
Am I missing something??
What railings are we talking about?
Damo :)
-
Not yet, Elaine. May I use them - unmangled?
The Victorian park railings, Damo.
-
Not yet, Elaine. May I use them - unmangled?
The Victorian park railings, Damo.
Originals?
Damo :)
-
Originals?
Damo :)
No such luck!
Yes Gordon, of course you can use them (unmangled :) )
I think it sounds a great idea.
Elaine (http://www.anchoredbygrace.com/smileys/mgqueen.gif)
-
No such luck!
Yes Gordon, of course you can use them (unmangled :) )
I think it sounds a great idea.
Elaine (http://www.anchoredbygrace.com/smileys/mgqueen.gif)
Thanks, Elaine. :wave:
-
I like that people are thinking of the details. It is what makes the displays more interesting. (I liked what Garry did with his Vikings last year.) I am hoping that we can get over the mad rush of setting up and take some time on the details.
-
I laid out the tracks for the two end boards yesterday and this morning, and it all fits. In fact, it fits better than expected.
-
I sent out some press releases last week. The event will be covered by the local press and
I have been approached by BBC Radio York again with a view to featuring the exhibition on a drive time show this week and possibly sending a reporter on the day again.
-
I have been approached by BBC Radio York again with a view to featuring the exhibition on a drive time show this week and possibly sending a reporter on the day again.
I hope you let us know when so we can all go and hide again :lol: :lol: :lol:
Elaine (http://www.anchoredbygrace.com/smileys/mgqueen.gif)
-
I hope you let us know when so we can all go and hide again :lol: :lol: :lol:
Elaine (http://www.anchoredbygrace.com/smileys/mgqueen.gif)
I second that!
-
I have had a call from BBC Radio York and they will be ringing me on Thursday (9th Feb) for an interview. The call will be at 4.10pm GMT so the interview should follow prety much straight after. See http://www.bbc.co.uk/york/programmes (http://www.bbc.co.uk/york/programmes).
Mark
-
I have had a call from BBC Radio York and they will be ringing me on Thursday (9th Feb) for an interview. The call will be at 4.10pm GMT so the interview should follow prety much straight after. See http://www.bbc.co.uk/york/programmes (http://www.bbc.co.uk/york/programmes).
Mark
I'll make a n ote to listen in, Mark.
-
I have had a call from BBC Radio York and they will be ringing me on Thursday (9th Feb) for an interview.
Mark
How exciting! Congratulations, wish we could listen in.
kaethe
-
Kaethe
Can you listen on the internet? You can probably listen live (check the time difference - it'll be early in SF) and might even be able to go to BBC Listen Again, subject to any international restrictions.
-
If anyone does eventually find a link to it please post so the rest of us can hear :)
I'm much too far away to be of any help, but I follow this thread closer than just about any here. It's great seeing how it all comes together, and what a great job is done with the organizing.
-
I'll be out at that time on Thursday, but I'll try to catch it later.
Forgot to ask Mark, do you want me to bring Wally again? Also if you are doing a flyer or whatever to give out to visitors would you like to add something about how many owls they can spot in Hogwarts and Hogsmeade?
I'll have to count them again, I think there were about 43 at the last count, but may be more now!
Elaine (http://www.anchoredbygrace.com/smileys/mgqueen.gif)
-
The link to the BBC Radio York website is http://www.bbc.co.uk/york/programmes (http://www.bbc.co.uk/york/programmes). This has a listen live facility.
The link to the BBC Radio York drivetime programme is www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0028lr7 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0028lr7). This enables listeners to Listen Again for up to seven days. Because the programme includes copyrighted music it may not be accessible overseas.
I have a recording of the live broadcast from last year's exhibition that the radio station sent to me. It takes up a lot of memory - 11MB so cannot be posted here. If anyone can suggest somewhere it can be posted then I would like to hear. I suppose I could put a slideshow together of exhibition and use the interviews as a soundtrack - then post on Youtube. (This is probably beyond my ability.)
-
Elaine
Can you please bring Wally. I can do a poster and brief the front desk to get the kids to look for the owls.
A reminder that I will also be looking for you to bring a number of other sets and klickies - apart from the Harry Potter
Seaside Railway - any beach stuff, including catamaran
Film set Robin Hood - TV cameras, toilets, trailers
Pirates - return lighthouse - could you bring the schooner again?
Space - all the 1999/2000 sets you have
Its getting close now and I am away over the weekend. I have ordered the extra baseboards and some timber. I have paint. So all in all we are on schedule.
Mark
-
Mark,
When you do the landscaping along the back, as well as the gap in it for the bridge to slide in will you also leave a gap 3 and 7/8 inches wide on the left hand side (looking from the front, about 30 inches in, please? This is to allow an underpass for cattle to move through.
-
Gordon - Can do.
-
Gordon - Can do.
Thanks, Mark. It's more detailing.
-
I can bring those things, no problem. Do you need any other pirate stuff?
You asked for some underwater things, like fish, coral etc. do you still want those too?
I've also got your large laminated sheets about the history of Playmobil.
I'll bring those back.
Elaine
-
Elaine
I was going to adapt a pirate ship into a Navy friggate but I just have not had the time - hence the request for the schooner. I have plenty of pirates - do you have any redcoat soldiers or blue guards?
You asked for some underwater things, like fish, coral etc. do you still want those too?
Yes, that would be good. I have 8ft x 4ft of sea bed to fill.
Do you, or Damo, have the 4136 playset with the wrecked ship? This would be good for the sea bed.
The laminated sheets would be good - though it is only us obsessive types who are really interested in that background detail.
Mark
-
Do you, or Damo, have the 4136 playset with the wrecked ship? This would be good for the sea bed.
Mark
If they don't, I have the base and the ship and cannon.
-
No I don't have that set :-\
Mark, I have been thinking about the construction display basebord, and I think brown would be better.
Do you have one in brown from last year?
Damo :)
-
Gordon - The ship is the bit I need thought the base could be useful.
Damo - I did not have a brown baseboard last year. I would be happy to mix something up. I was thinking of something like this www.dulux.co.uk/colour/muddy_puddle (http://www.dulux.co.uk/colour/muddy_puddle)
Mark
-
Gordon - The ship is the bit I need thought the base could be useful.
Mark
I'll bring them both.
-
I'll check on the redcoats Mark - are you OK for all other ships?
I have these from the underwater set, but could bring some other incomplete ships - maybe the trawler could lie on its side?
I have more fish and plenty of brown rocks spare if needed, plus the red sub.
(http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/ac300/skypurr/underwater.jpg)
Elaine (http://www.anchoredbygrace.com/smileys/mgqueen.gif)
-
Damo,
I was looking for something and came across this...
(http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/ac300/skypurr/cart.jpg)
could this or the flags off it be used at the gymkhana? I've taken one flag off the show how it just clips onto a pole.
I was also messing about and made these out of some flowers ...
(http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/ac300/skypurr/rosettes.jpg)
Would you like these (and more of them) for the prize table?
Elaine (http://www.anchoredbygrace.com/smileys/mgqueen.gif)
-
Both excellent, Elaine.
-
Damo - I did not have a brown baseboard last year. I would be happy to mix something up. I was thinking of something like this www.dulux.co.uk/colour/muddy_puddle (http://www.dulux.co.uk/colour/muddy_puddle)
Mark
It needs to be as dark as possible, really (to look like soil) I have got a roll of soil effect scenery matting which I have been using to make my turf rolls, but it would be far too expencive to cover the whole board using it
Damo,
I was looking for something and came across this...
could this or the flags off it be used at the gymkhana? I've taken one flag off the show how it just clips onto a pole.
I was also messing about and made these out of some flowers ...
Would you like these (and more of them) for the prize table?
Elaine (http://www.anchoredbygrace.com/smileys/mgqueen.gif)
Yes, the wagon would be a nice touch.
I LOVE those ribbons :love: :love: :love:
I don't know whether we need anymore :-\ Does anyone know how many there might usually be ???
Damo :)
-
Elaine, Mark, is the Robin Hood film set covered?
Only if you needed any extra caravans or anything? If not then I can use it on the building site.
I'm panicking now as I don't think it's all going to fit in the car! :o
Damo :)
-
Damo
I'll make the board darker. I'll see what I can mix up.
As far as trailers go I'd suggest you bring what you can and we'll use it as best as we can. Good luck getting it all in the car. Is it really worse than last year?
Mark
-
Damo
I'll make the board darker. I'll see what I can mix up.
As far as trailers go I'd suggest you bring what you can and we'll use it as best as we can. Good luck getting it all in the car. Is it really worse than last year?
Mark
Well, we are coming in my car this year (which is an estate) but I'm bringing ten tonne of wood, hedges and fences and vehicles, Steck, System X etc :lol:
Plus the luggage for 3 of us :)
But I'll fit anything in as extras if I can once all the main stuff is packed :)
Damo :)
-
The interview with BBC Radio York is on http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/p00nh7jy (http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/p00nh7jy). I came in about 1hr and 11 minutes in.
It felt a bit hurried - I didn't know how much time I would have - and I didn't mention anyone by name. I had wanted to mention Playmofriends as a way of getting in touch with other fans of Playmobil.
And I didn't mention the large railway display this year but I guess its okay to hold something back and this should be more impressive in person than as a mention on the radio.
-
Love those rosettes Elaine - you clever thing!
Mark - were you nervous being on the air?
-
That sounded great Mark
but did I hear her say "little wooden people..." :0
There's a lot to live up to with Hogwarts - I'm getting worried!
I can sympathise about feeling hurried and not getting chance to mention everything you want, I felt the same when I was interviewed about Kirkbean the first year. Last year wasn't as bad because they came out and recorded the interview : I said all that I wanted to, but then they edited it to fit and left out some of the things I wanted to include.
It's all good advertising though.
Elaine (http://www.anchoredbygrace.com/smileys/mgqueen.gif)
-
I have done this a couple of times now so being on air is not too nerve-racking. The problem is in - keeping the talking coherent (not babbling) and saying what you want to say. This is not so easy when a question seems to take you in a different direction to the one you want.
I had prepared a few notes in advance so I had the facts in needed to hand. I had spoken to the presenter a few days earlier and we had discussed the fact that they did not want the interview to be too like an advert for Playmobil. I think this was handled okay. In the end it is all free publicity for the event and the BBC Radio station reaches a wider audience that my other publicity so it has a chance of attracting more people.
Elaine - don't worry about the Harry Potter display. It will be great.
-
That sounded great! :)9
Lots of detail so people know where to go and what to expect.
but did I hear her say "little wooden people..." :0
:o Yeah, but she did praise your circus, Elaine. ;)
-
This is not so easy when a question seems to take you in a different direction to the one you want.
Mark, do as the politicians do, just give the answer you want them to hear whether it answers their question or not! :)
-
Very, very good interview, Mark! :high5:
Elaine - I've got a 'large construction display' to live up to as well! :uhoh:
Actually panicking now as there is so much more to construct. Luckily I have redesigned the structure so that I do not need any extra pieces other than what I've got, but as it is built out of 3 different things (system X, the grey bricks, and wood) making it all hold together is being a bit challenging.
Plus I have hoardings to cut on the bandsaw and paint (I hope this is alright Mark - I want to nail a 6 inch tall plywood board around the back and left hand side to be a hoarding. It will also give a sort of barrier/edge as the gift shop is right next door :)
I will supply the nails and hammer.
The only other things, Mark, is could you supply some (top) soil, as I need to raise the level of the surface by 1 inch over approximately a quater of the board, and have a large area where bulldozers and diggers are working.
I have a small amount of playsand I am bringing, so that is covered.
Damo :)
-
Mark, I won't be bringing the 2-bay fire station, partly because I am very pushed for space in the car. Another reason is that it will be empty as both fire engines will be at the incident at the railwayb station, so there seems little point in taking up an arra 16.5 inches by 16.5 inches with an empty building.
-
Hi everyone
I am just back from a long weekend in Amsterdam with my family (celebrating my 50th birthday. It was very cold on Saturday when we arrived - the canals were frozen over and people were skating. We got to walk on the Prinzengracht. It got milder on Monday and Tuesday so we got a variety of weather.
On the subject of the interview I decided to let the comment on "little wooden people" go. It did not seem worth going back to correct her.
Gordon - Fine with the Fire Station (or lack of it). We'll see how we get on with the space we have. (I have got out a lot of sets, regardless of whether we plan to use it, if only to have pieces in reserve. The one set I haven't got out is my fire station. )
Damo - I am fine with attaching a border. I am less sure about finding soil. Everywhere is a bit wet around here. I was thinking of getting some sand. Would this do if I can get darkish sand?
I'm going down the Scout Hut with lots of boxes this afternoon, and to start painting.
See you soon.
Mark
-
Damo - I am fine with attaching a border. I am less sure about finding soil. Everywhere is a bit wet around here. I was thinking of getting some sand. Would this do if I can get darkish sand?
Mark
It kind of has to be soil, really :-\
I would bring my own, but it is far too heavy and I have no space
Damo :)
-
Damo
I'll see what I can do.
-
Gordon, House wise so far I have got the yellow house, the green house, and a terrace of white houses, here:
It has not gone well, though. I am missing parts, some are discoloured, the fences don't line up, and I've only got one gate etc .. :-\
(http://img192.imageshack.us/img192/362/unitandsnow119.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/192/unitandsnow119.jpg/)
(http://img580.imageshack.us/img580/1470/unitandsnow121.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/580/unitandsnow121.jpg/)
What do we suggest?
Also, I thought my system X farm might look a little out of place with all this old Steck, but it might be ok (and as it's in between the village and town)
Damo :)
-
I have some gates Damo, also the orange fences and gates - would you like me to bring those too?
Elaine (http://www.anchoredbygrace.com/smileys/mgqueen.gif)
-
I have been painting boards this afternoon. Damo's baseboard is a darkish brown - a bit like a ploughed field (or a dirty protest!)
I'll be doing more tomorrow and working on sea, beach, river and roads in line with Gordon's plan. I'll be fixing boards together ready for putting on tables.
-
Damo,
That looks fine and one gate needn't be a problem. It was, and still is with old terraces, to have one access and a right of way over the front or back gardens via a path. I may have some spare dormer windows I can bring; if not, I'll bring some card and you can blank them out. Roofs may be a problem but not to worry for the moment.
Changes in architecture no problem.
-
Does anyone have a trophy in either gold or silver they could bring along for the gymkhana, please?
30 07 4440 - Trophy cup (http://playmodb.org/cgi-bin/showpart.pl?partnum=30-07-4440)
Thanks
Damo :)
-
I'll bring a silver one Damo
Elaine (http://www.anchoredbygrace.com/smileys/mgqueen.gif)
-
Latest update
A lot of painting of baseboards today. After 7 hrs we are nearly done. I have two boards to paint grey first thing in the morning. I also have the roads to paint on the lower level of the railway display, then the upper level to put on and the "cliffs" to add. The sea, river and beaches are done.
Because the hall is booked out on Thursday nights I was not abe to set up today. However we did do a lot of configuring and some joining together of boards. We know where everthing needs to go. Apart from the bits of painting - which is the priority at the start tomorrow - for first thing we'll be doing is setting up the bigger display layouts. So we'll get the railway and Harry Potter set up first, ready for Gordon and Elaine to arrive. Then I'll be putting together the two level underwater display, and cutting out a higher level for a castle on the pirate display.
Finally there is the matter of setting up the displays themselves.
Mark
Damo - I have a trophy.
-
Sounds like a busy and successful day, Mark. I'll be over as soon as I can tomorrow. (I hoped to load the car up today, but I didn't have time, so I'll be leaving a bit later than originally planned.)
-
Hope it's all going well everyone. ;)
Remeber to take lots of photos! :picsplz:
-
Well its over. It was a tiring weekend.
To be honest it was tiring for several days. Preparation began on Wednesday afternoon with board painting. More of the same and some putting boards together on Thursday, then it began in earnest on Friday. I had a 16 hour day on Friday - 9am to 1am. The giant railway baseboards were tricky to put together with the split level. We had fun finding the necessary 6 inches of packing for the side areas/turning loops. It all came together - it looked good and the train worked a treat.
Damo had worked up an elaborate construction site with a lot of customised and homemade elements. This took a while to set up and then he was helping Gordon - 30ft x 8ft is a huge area to cover.
Elaine got here at around 5pm which left her a lot to do as her Hogwarts is huge. She was still working at 1am when we called it a night. She had two more busy hours on Saturday morning getting ready in time.
My pirates were relatively straightforward - thank god. I had a raised area for the 3666 castle which provided a fort for the Redcoats. Elaine's two schooners set it off a treat. The Space display was straight forward. I had built up one end a bit and painted everything a martian red. The sets were a mixture of mine and Elaine's
The Robin Hood film set worked okay, thanks to Elaine's TV camera sets which made it.
I was very pleased with my two-level underwater exploration. There was a sea level on a raised level with boats and the sea bed was 2ft lower. I suspended submarines, divers and sealife on fishing line.
We had BBC Radio York come on the Sunday for a live interview. It'll be on the Listen Again at 10.15am
Our attendance numbers were down on last year - 340 compared with around 500. This is a shame as I think it was a better show. Pictures to follow.
Mark
-
Looking forward to seeing the pics!
-
Looking forward to seeing the pics!
Me too! :yup: :yup: :yup: