Retaining spare parts and offcuts of modelling materials provides the ideal source of lineside junk – which is also ideal for creating wagon loads.
PHOTOGRAPHY: STEVE NALL
Thereare fascinating modelling opportunities to be had using old bits from a modeller’s scrap box.We all have them, filled with spare parts, offcuts and salvaged items from previous layouts and dioramas. There’ll no doubt be a mix of materials too, including metal, wood, card and plastic.
Parts may have been lingering for years, awaiting a second chance. Some of my brass etches have been unused for over 20 years, and are likely to never make it to the workbench – at least for their original purpose – so finding an alternative use saves them from going to waste.
We also have the option of purchasing a few extra ‐cheap products, such as miniature oil drums, wooden pallets, lengths of guttering or fencing, and adding them to the mix.
Following various visits to railway locations over the last few years, I’ve taken a huge number of photographs of scenes that have caught my eye, hoping they’ll come in handy one day. Finally, they have, as I’ve been examining them to give me an idea of what kinds of items are generally found by the lineside.