Roy Hickman Workshop

If Pendon wasn't enough to make us all feel inadequate the club organised a session on creating buildings from junk. Roy came in an demonstrated his techniques of converting things that normally get thrown away into fantastic scenics.


If anyone sees Roy at an exhibition, stop and listen you'll be glad you did.

Pendon Visit

All looking for some inspiration we visit Pendon and as usual come home feeling inspired.

With lashings of glue...

With the hardcore workers on the case it looks like cobble and gouge are the order of the day. Although we do take some time to test some new solvents.

Work progresses at fyfes and the loading bay platform is reduced in size to allow things to pass. After some discussion over where the blame should be placed it is agreed that the building and it's platform was square after all and the track is wonky!

On the cobbling Slaters plasticard 0401 random stonework sheets are joined using one of the previously tested and Mullard approved solvents. A paper template was then created and used to cut the plasticard. Its time for a Top Tip; Did you know that railway tracks are parallel.. This important fact means that both of the cut edges will fit the rails, even better if you lower your template by 14mm you can even easily cut a bit for the between the tracks as well!

Finally another Top Tip; when sticking down plasticard you can never use too much glue. Best use lashings of your finest PVA.

Space Planning

The return of the mentor coupled with the arrival of the hotel boosted the enthusiasm for modelling. A lengthy discussion on space planning, aesthetics and uncle tom cobley led to some real decisions being taken; size of road, position of pier gates, operation of siding and hotel entrance path and roads. Next the hotel was used to create a space model of the corner complex out of foam board, this was then stuck in place using some fluorescent green tape.


Sadly the hotel appears to have been stuck together using un-sticky glue and promptly disintegrated ( sorry ) also it's important to point out that the disintegration took place without any assistance, although a number of us had previously volunteered!



Next a foam board frenzy and further "Tangram" for those old enough to remember. This time I caved in and bevelled the edges, sadly on the wrong side (not again!) but at least I bevelled the edges.

Whilst this was taking place balsa strips were cut and used to create the wooden tops of pier wall. At this point I would like to share an important modellers tip, never cut balsa on a fake leather topped table....enough said!

To put a close on the evening lashings of glue and some heavy weights to hold it in place until next week.