PlaymoFriends
General => Community Events => Topic started by: playmofire on August 10, 2015, 20:50:32
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Here are some photos of the Island Railway from this year's Kirkbean Playmobil Exhibition. As the approach is different from previous years, I'll explain the thinking behind it.
Each year since 2011 I've produced a different layout for Kirkbean, although with the exception of one year there have always been common features, notably steam trains and water, whether sea or rivers. This year I decided to try and create a layout which could remain basically the same each year while allowing room for change, both detail changes, e.g. in scenes, and major changes by having islands which could be added to, altered in shape etc. So the Island Railway came into existence and worked fairly successfully.
One change compared with last year, when there was a figure-of-eight layout, was a return to a basically oval layout. As I explained then, the idea was the theory that a figure-of-eight layout gave more movement and, therefore, more interest for viewers, children and adults alike. Watching people last year, this certainly seemed to be the case and, interestingly, a conversation I overheard between two ladies this year confirmed that the figure-of-eight with its twists and turns was more interesting, as one said to the other, "The train was dashing about much more last year". Now, in fact, this wasn't so as the maximum speed I run at is always the same, so the train last year simply appeared to be more "active"and, obviously, more interesting. An island layout with a figure-of-eight or similar layout may be a possibility in 2016.
Now, some general, overall pictures, followed by detailed photos later in the week.
First, a diagonal view with Island Farm in the foreground and Diane in the far distance:
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/444.jpg) (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/playmofire/media/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/444.jpg.html)
Moving round, Farm Bridge is in the foreground with, on the left, Farm Island with Holiday Island beyond that and the Castle station and the castle itself beyond. On the right, is the Country Park with the harbour and station area beyond:
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/441.jpg) (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/playmofire/media/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/441.jpg.html)
Here's a closer view of Farm Island, and then one of the Country Park:
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/503.jpg) (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/playmofire/media/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/503.jpg.html)
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/399.jpg) (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/playmofire/media/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/399.jpg.html)
So the post doesn't get too long, I'll start another post now.
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Now, a view of the harbour and the rear of the station area beyond it:
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/418.jpg) (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/playmofire/media/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/418.jpg.html)
A front view of the goods yard and unloading area for the harbour, and then a driver's eye view of the station, looking towards the goods yard:
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/346.jpg) (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/playmofire/media/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/346.jpg.html)
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/238.jpg) (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/playmofire/media/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/238.jpg.html)
Finally for this post, a view looking down the layout towards Farm Island, showing the town area and the castle and the rear of Holiday Island:
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/551.jpg) (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/playmofire/media/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/551.jpg.html)
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We're on the last lap of our aerial journey now as we travel down the other side of the layout with a view of the Castle and the Castle Station, suitably decorated with battlements:
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/386.jpg) (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/playmofire/media/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/386.jpg.html)
Next stop is Holiday Island, looking back towards the Castle Station:
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/450.jpg) (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/playmofire/media/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/450.jpg.html)
And we end our flight back at Island Farm:
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/514.jpg) (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/playmofire/media/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/514.jpg.html)
Thank you for your time, and I will post some more detail photos later in the week.
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Great layout Gordon. Very interesting with the castle and castle themed station. It's a great design on he castle ruins, very authentic looking. nice use of the barn doors for the warehouse area as well.
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That is a well cool diorama. You can even tell which way the wind is blowing due to the sailboat leaning over!
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Very professional looking display, Gordon!
Be interested to know the dimensions of your table.
You seem to have made excellent use of your space.
The Island Railway concept is brilliant!
Thanks for sharing.
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Great layout Gordon. Very interesting with the castle and castle themed station. It's a great design on he castle ruins, very authentic looking. nice use of the barn doors for the warehouse area as well.
Thank you, Tim.
The concept of the castle on an island is based on Castle Threave which we visited last year and is not far from Kirkbean. (http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/index/places/propertyresults/propertyabout.htm?PropID=PL_288&PropName=Threave%20Castle)
In the UK, castle-like stations were not uncommon, especially where they were the private station for the local castle owner.
The barn doors are very useful, you see there only a small part of my supply!
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That is a well cool diorama. You can even tell which way the wind is blowing due to the sailboat leaning over!
Thank you, Macruran. The winds can be very tricky in that area of the water, especially since the modern holiday house has been built on Holiday Island, as that and the now castle now act as a funnel for the wind. The rescue boat can be very busy in squally weather.
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Very professional looking display, Gordon!
Be interested to know the dimensions of your table.
You seem to have made excellent use of your space.
The Island Railway concept is brilliant!
Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Richard.
The table was 8 feet by 16 feet. Because of the size and complexity of the layout, I'd never had the time or space to set it up at home, so that it worked at all was a surprise! Next year, I am thinking of using octagonal pieces which can be put together in different shapes for the islands.
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Gordon, thank you!
Looking at your photos, 8 x 16 seems to be a really good size for an indoor layout.
If the calculations are correct, the middle of your table should be about 4 feet from the side edges.
Have you found that it's difficult at all for you to reach the middle of the table?
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Wow, that is impressive!! :o
All the separate areas are very well planned out and they work perfectly alongside the railroad tracks.
I'll be back to check this out in more detail. I love that atmosphere picture by the railway station :)
The water with the waves by the rocks look amazing! The castle for tourists to visit on the little island makes me think of Amsterdam.
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That looks great!
I too love the ruins, and especially the castle-themed station - that is brilliant!
Thanks for sharing!
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It looks very beautifull, must have been quite some work with all the bridges, the sand and everything. :)
That farmer might go grey with worry about his sheep falling into the water though, maybe for next year you could have a rowboat with someone in it returning a sheep or such. ;)
Those ruins look amazing too, great place to hide a ghost, a sleeping clicky or such within that not everyone might spot. :P
But I really like how each island is very different, that must have been much fun to work on too.
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Gordon, thank you!
Looking at your photos, 8 x 16 seems to be a really good size for an indoor layout.
If the calculations are correct, the middle of your table should be about 4 feet from the side edges.
Have you found that it's difficult at all for you to reach the middle of the table?
I'm about 5 feet 10 inches, Richard, so it's not too difficult to reach the middle of the display which, as you say, is 4 feet away. However, there can be a problem where you are having to reach over things such as buildings as well as reaching across from the edge. Then, a small folding step type stool is useful - http://i.c-b.co/is/image/Crate/FoldingStepStlBlckIIICSS14/$web_zoom$&/1311131552/folding-black-step-stool-iii.jpg - about 10 to 12 inches high.
When setting the layout up, you need to work outwards from the middle after laying the track.
There is also the need to remember the rule that anything which derails will do so with the maximum destruction to the surrounding area and at the most difficult point to reach on the layout!
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Wow, that is impressive!! :o
All the separate areas are very well planned out and they work perfectly alongside the railroad tracks.
I'll be back to check this out in more detail. I love that atmosphere picture by the railway station :)
The water with the waves by the rocks look amazing! The castle for tourists to visit on the little island makes me think of Amsterdam.
Thank you, Birdie. The waves near the rocks was a last minute idea and just done with white paint on a cheap 12mm or so decorator's paintbrush. I must admit I was very pleased with the result.
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Gordon, thanks again!
And, thanks for reminding me of that "wonderful" model railroading axiom,
"There is also the need to remember the rule that anything which derails will do so with the maximum destruction to the surrounding area and at the most difficult point to reach on the layout!" ... :)
And, in keeping that axiom in mind, your absence of tunnels did not go unnoticed ... :)
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It looks very beautifull, must have been quite some work with all the bridges, the sand and everything. :)
That farmer might go grey with worry about his sheep falling into the water though, maybe for next year you could have a rowboat with someone in it returning a sheep or such. ;)
Those ruins look amazing too, great place to hide a ghost, a sleeping clicky or such within that not everyone might spot. :P
But I really like how each island is very different, that must have been much fun to work on too.
Thank you, Rhallius.
The idea about the sheep and the rowing boat is a good one, so will appear at some time, but not next year as the sheep already have a role assigned to them.
Interestingly, in parts of the UK it is not uncommon to find sheep and cattle grazing in clifftop fields or other similar areas without fences at the edge, and very few seem to fall over the edge, and where they do in the case of sheep, are often none the worse for the experience, although you do read about them having to be rescued by the local lifeboat.
There a number of competitions over the weekend to find hidden Playmobil frogs and rabbits family figures on the various displays, and a "Where's Wally" competition, so the castle might be an idea for one of those.
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That looks great!
I too love the ruins, and especially the castle-themed station - that is brilliant!
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Tahra, more to come.
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Gordon, thanks again!
And, thanks for reminding me of that "wonderful" model railroading axiom,
"There is also the need to remember the rule that anything which derails will do so with the maximum destruction to the surrounding area and at the most difficult point to reach on the layout!" ... :)
And, in keeping that axiom in mind, your absence of tunnels did not go unnoticed ... :)
Now a tunnel I'm thinking about! :)
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Beautiful diorama! I really like the train running between the different islands. I really great use of the space, and something that can be changed or adapted as you need.
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Thanks, Salamander. Here are some more detailed photos of the layout, starting with the station area and goods yard.
First, a view of the goods yard showing the storage sheds which can be accessed from the harbour side or the railway side for loading and unloading purposes. (The building just on the left hand side is the Old Smoke House, producers of smoked fish and sea food. You can see it more clearly in one of the very early general photos of the layout.)
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/534.jpg) (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/playmofire/media/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/534.jpg.html)
The harbour is used by the local fishing boats to unload their catches:
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/380.jpg) (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/playmofire/media/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/380.jpg.html)
and by local fish wholesalers:
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/255.jpg) (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/playmofire/media/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/255.jpg.html)
and by the local Sea Angling Club:
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/530.jpg) (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/playmofire/media/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/530.jpg.html)
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/493.jpg) (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/playmofire/media/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/493.jpg.html)
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At the station itself, it's a busy day. Here's an aerial view of the station in general:
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/535.jpg) (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/playmofire/media/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/535.jpg.html)
Some of you will recognise the couple on the left from previous years, and now, there is a new member of the family on the way, maybe quite soon judging by the husband's concerned look:
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/290.jpg) (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/playmofire/media/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/290.jpg.html)
The Island Railway is more than a means of transport for the people who live on the various islands - it is also a vital communication link in other ways. Here, a member of the public collects mail from the station ticket office sent to him from one of the islands:
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/289.jpg) (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/playmofire/media/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/289.jpg.html)
This looks a rather suspicious character:
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/291.jpg) (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/playmofire/media/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/291.jpg.html)
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Next to the ticket office is the station cafe, enjoying a busy day, too:
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/536.jpg) (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/playmofire/media/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/536.jpg.html)
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/239.jpg) (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/playmofire/media/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/239.jpg.html)
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/488.jpg) (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/playmofire/media/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/488.jpg.html)
A Motorcycle Cruiser Club Rally is going to bring more business to the cafe, too:
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/301.jpg) (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/playmofire/media/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/301.jpg.html)
The last building in the station area is the local garage, and this customer doesn't seem to be too happy about their standard of repair work!
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/363.jpg) (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/playmofire/media/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/363.jpg.html)
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Finally this evening some scenes of the station during the day, as trains come and go.
First, the afternoon goods train passes through while the next passenger train waits to set off on its journey:
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/378.jpg) (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/playmofire/media/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/378.jpg.html)
and then a non-stopping passenger train passing through:
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/455.jpg) (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/playmofire/media/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/455.jpg.html)
Well, that's it (I can only take so much of Photobucket's clunking methods at a time). Tomorrow, we'll have a look at some of the islands themselves; thanks for looking.
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Lots of great details there Gordon! That crane at the wharf is off an LGB car isn't it? I believe I have one of those. It looks quite right there, like the riverside cranes I've seen in places like Frankfurt or Hamburg.
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Lots of great details there Gordon! That crane at the wharf is off an LGB car isn't it? I believe I have one of those. It looks quite right there, like the riverside cranes I've seen in places like Frankfurt or Hamburg.
Thank you, Tim, and you're spot on abiut the crane, it is indeed off an LGB ToyTrain flat truck. I did intend to fit it on a Playmobil flat truck as part of a permanent way train, but never got round to it this year. It is just standing on a couple of LGB bridge piers, so I can still use it on the flat truck if I wish. I may also try it on one of the high Playmobil station platforms some time.
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Well, here we go again with some more detail photos of the different areas. Having already shown details of the station and harbour area, I'll work round clockwise as if you were riding on the train. The route is:
Country Park
Island Farm
Holiday Island
Castle Station and Castle
and then some odds and ends. There'll be a new post started for each destination.
You'll notice that the stopping places are very simple, apart from the main station and Castle Station, just a pedestrian crossing place and, if you're lucky, a bench to sit on while waiting for the train.
So, it's all aboard with the first stop the Country Park.
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The Country Park
Here you can walk, cycle or climb (or just sit) surrounded by the woods, but within sight and sound of the sea. There are two stopping points for the train in the Country Park, one at either end of the island.
Cycling is popular especially with families:
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/521.jpg) (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/playmofire/media/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/521.jpg.html)
Mr Fox likes to keep his eye on visitors just in case there's a tasty tit-bit dropped; with the farm on a different island, the only way he gets any chicken is by way of an abandoned chicken sandwich!
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/272.jpg) (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/playmofire/media/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/272.jpg.html)
The policeman assigned to the Country Park stops to chat with a visitor taking a rest:
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/277.jpg) (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/playmofire/media/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/277.jpg.html)
Railways are dangerous places, so it's good to see these young cyclists know their safety drill - wait for an adult to cross with you:
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/374.jpg) (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/playmofire/media/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/374.jpg.html)
For the best view, go to the top of the highest point:
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/268.jpg) (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/playmofire/media/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/268.jpg.html)
And so we leave the Country Park by one of the two girder bridges on the railway, heading for...
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/431.jpg) (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/playmofire/media/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/431.jpg.html)
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Island Farm
Island Farm is a pastoral farm, that is, the farmer doesn't grow crops but raises animals, in this case cows, goats and sheep, plus a few pigs and chickens.
Here he is giving the sheep their early morning feed in the field. You can see how the sheep have worn a path in the grass walking to the feeding area each day.
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/395.jpg) (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/playmofire/media/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/395.jpg.html)
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/396.jpg) (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/playmofire/media/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/396.jpg.html)
Meanwhile, his son, who has been chopping wood, is taking a break with a mug of tea, all unaware of the little drama taking place behind me:
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/248.jpg) (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/playmofire/media/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/248.jpg.html)
Two of the cows are keen trainspotters, always by the fence when a train is due:
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/348.jpg) (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/playmofire/media/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/348.jpg.html)
While the goats are playing their favourite game of "I'm the King of the Castle":
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/344.jpg) (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/playmofire/media/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/344.jpg.html)
And it's feeding time for the pigs, too, although one of the piglets hasn't yet learned proper trough manners:
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/394.jpg) (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/playmofire/media/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/394.jpg.html)
And from Island Farm, it's on to Holiday Island, where not everyone is as happy as they hoped they would be when on holiday, but I'm afraid other things have intervened and so this is something for tomorrow.
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Many beautifull pictures, I really like that pregnant lady with her husband. They look so sweet together.
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Many beautifull pictures, I really like that pregnant lady with her husband. They look so sweet together.
Thank you, Rhalius.
The couple first appeared in 2011 as a courting couple and have appeared each year since. (Maybe I should create a thread "A Playmbobil Romance".)
I wonder what next year will have for them?
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This is great, it's like I'm walking around the dio myself :) I love how everything is so well thought out, even the details in the paint match.
The docks are my favourite area.
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It was, as always, a great display Gordon, with many details.
I love the goat on the barrel!
I forgot to ask if the couple have names.
Perhaps you could post photos showing them in each of your previous dioramas - looking forward to seeing what next year brings. :)
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I'd imagine next year they will either walk around happily with a baby in a wagon, or we'd see the man upset with the woman as she is holding an asian baby on her lap. ;)
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It was, as always, a great display Gordon, with many details.
I love the goat on the barrel!
I forgot to ask if the couple have names.
Perhaps you could post photos showing them in each of your previous dioramas - looking forward to seeing what next year brings. :)
Thank you, Elaine. As you know, the goat on the barrel was a daily occurrence at breakfast time at the farm where we were staying, often there two or three goats trying all to stay on.
No, they have no names, they are just "the couple" or, maybe, "the lovers".
Yes, I was thinking of posting them in a separate thread, but there are only four photos, so I will post them in this one at the end.
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I'd imagine next year they will either walk around happily with a baby in a wagon, or we'd see the man upset with the woman as she is holding an asian baby on her lap. ;)
Meant in fun I know, Rhallius, but not really appropriate. :hmm:
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This is great, it's like I'm walking around the dio myself :) I love how everything is so well thought out, even the details in the paint match.
The docks are my favourite area.
Thank you, Birdie. Although there's not a lot happening in the docks, I was pleased with the result too. No one seemed to notice that none of the ships could have passed under either of the two bridges to get out to sea. Had anyone mentioned this, I was going to say that it was high tide!
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On then to Holiday Island.
Holiday Island was originally a select island with just three old timber-framed houses on only used by their owners. When one of these burnt down, the owner built in its place the modern System-X holiday apartment and, instead of living there himself, rents it out to other people - the advertisement on the end wall says it all! And so Holiday Island isn't the paradise it once was, especially this year because of the essential and urgent repair work needed one of the jetties. Not so much holiday heaven as holiday hell!
So first, here's an overall view of Holiday Island, followed by one of the new System-X apartment:
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/402.jpg) (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/playmofire/media/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/402.jpg.html)
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/449.jpg) (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/playmofire/media/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/449.jpg.html)
As you can see, it's a noisy lot of holidaymakers staying there with the open-air barbecue and the radio playing loudly:
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/337.jpg) (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/playmofire/media/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/337.jpg.html)
and the construction work doesn't help either:
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/404.jpg) (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/playmofire/media/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/404.jpg.html)
So some people are planning a day out elsewhere:
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/329.jpg) (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/playmofire/media/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/329.jpg.html)
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/342.jpg) (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/playmofire/media/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/342.jpg.html)
But, despite the noise of the pneumatic drill, it's still holiday time and you can enjoy yourself sailing a model yacht or on the beach:
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/506.jpg) (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/playmofire/media/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/506.jpg.html)
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/324.jpg) (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/playmofire/media/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/324.jpg.html)
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/331.jpg) (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/playmofire/media/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/331.jpg.html)
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/333.jpg) (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/playmofire/media/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/333.jpg.html)
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/499.jpg) (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/playmofire/media/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/499.jpg.html)
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At the other end of Holiday Island, it's a bit quieter away from the construction repair work and the wind is blowing the noise of the radio away, so people can just sit or stroll about and relax with an ice cream or just watching the sea:
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/505.jpg) (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/playmofire/media/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/505.jpg.html)
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/403.jpg) (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/playmofire/media/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/403.jpg.html)
Now, a test of observation - in the previous post did you notice the bottles of milk in the sixth picture (the one of the people waiting at the Holiday Island stopping point) and wonder how they got there? Well, just as the train service picks up mail from the various islands (see the station pictures), it also brings in supplies of some items, notably the daily milk:
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/414.jpg) (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/playmofire/media/Playmobil/Kirkbean%20Island%20Railway%202015/414.jpg.html)
And now, you've nearly completed your journey round the Island railway, next and final stop, but that will have to be tomorrow.
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I notice Fred and Maisie seem to be off on their own pursuits this year. Fred was back on a bench by the station while Maisie is off on the pier of Holiday Island, with her daughter perhaps?
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I love the creative structure you thought out for this diorama. Great pictures that show all the different possibilities with this landscape. Really enjoyed my tour!
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Very nice diorama, as always! Those pictures are fantastic. :)
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I notice Fred and Maisie seem to be off on their own pursuits this year. Fred was back on a bench by the station while Maisie is off on the pier of Holiday Island, with her daughter perhaps?
Ah, that wasn't Fred but his twin brother James. (I'll post a photo of then together at the weekend.) Fred was away for a few days when the photos were taken, and, yes, it is their daughter Maisie is with.
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I love the creative structure you thought out for this diorama. Great pictures that show all the different possibilities with this landscape. Really enjoyed my tour!
Very nice diorama, as always! Those pictures are fantastic. :)
Thankyou both - :wave: - the end of the tour is coming soon.
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Saw your topic much too late, but I enjoyed your layout. It is fantastic.
If you are looking for more inspiration, you might want to visit the website http://www.inselbahn.de
(please note: de website is in German only).
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Hi Gordon
Congratz on your diorama
Trains are allways nice to see, i know the work behind
It is also nice to read you guys keep making your kirkbean exposition
Wich edition was this?
And how many visitors did you have ?
We ( a few sellers and a few diorama builders ) would love to do an exposition once on the Insel
We talk about it for years
The problem for me at the moment are the moving and travelcosts
Where the ferry the most expensive part is
But some day we'll come
Anyway , keep up the good work
Stay in good health
And keep having fun
All the best
Michael