Creative Scenic Modelling

The preserved Dean Forest Railway, occupying 4 miles of the once extensive railway network in the Forest, celebrates 40 years of operation in 2010, and to mark the event this copiously illustrated souvenir volume has been compiled by the DFR Museum Trust.

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John Parkinson is a self-confessed 'scenery nut'. While for many people the tracks and trains are the most important element of a model railway layout, John revels in creating the scenic environment, which is complemented by the trains running through it. With all his layouts, his aim is to make a scene that gels, that looks like a composite whole, and has atmosphere. He is quick to stress that his is not the only, or necessarily the best, way to approach scenic modelling. He demonstrates that advanced, difficult-to-obtain skills are not needed - just practice and an urge to be creative, to develop a threedimensional representation of a particular scene, particularly in the smaller scales, where layouts can be more easily and quickly completed. In his personal, informal narrative, he describes how he has developed his modelling skills, and shares the techniques he has used for almost 30 years for his many popular exhibition layouts. Covering natural terrain, foliage, water, buildings, bridges, tunnels and the like to detailing and finishing touches, this book will inspire and instruct in equal measure.