This is becoming the most fun diorama ever (Patreon)

My friends, I've been working on the scene since Friday and it's close to being ready.

A circular base was the best option here because just like the VW Beetle, it allows you to observe the model from all directions and there's no front, sides, or back. I used a hot glue gun to secure the veneer, and although it led to some problems, it's a pretty good method. The only downside was the glue starting to cure too fast and the veneer not sitting perfectly on the styrofoam, which led to quite a lot of filling.

The railroad tracks come from the AK kit, and the only upgrade was the wood texture which was done with a metal wire brush.

The concrete structure behind the train comes from the original reference photo. I used the same green foam as I normally use for diorama bases, which is quite porous, but a few layers of Tamiya putty will solve that issue. This time I also added some fine sand and gravel from VMS into the soft putty and pressed them into the surface while adding the board-formed concrete texture.

After the terrain was covered with Smart Mud, I added the ground texture. Real Earth from My Garden (TM) sprinkled with dry sea balls and fine leaf scatter, all fixed in place with VMS Ballast Freeze. Once again, gravel from VMS was used around the railroad tracks. Ballast Freeze is very handy because it flows really well and dries much quicker than diluted PVA! So I could start planting the vegetation the same day.

This time I wanted to go a different route. Ditch the static grass applicator and try different materials altogether. Pretty much all the tall grass is made from dry sea balls. You tear a tuft out of the ball with tweezers, dip it in PVA, and plant it on the ground. It might sound time consuming, but it actually doesn't take longer than planting three lengths of grass with a static applicator! Of course, I used static grass as well as long paintbrush bristles, but all were planted by hand. I wanted to replicate all the weeds seen in the reference image, and let me tell you, Micro Leaves from Green Stuff World are one of the coolest things ever. I brushed some PVA randomly over the wild grass and sprinkled it with this stuff. You can see the results in the photos, and I think paints will improve the result even further.

Also, this time I won't prime anything in a dark tone! :)

Now I have to finish the other side of the track, and build the telegraph pole with a lamp. The cat in the dumpster is from Mantis Miniatures, and there will be also a rat searching an old can, and a couple of pigeons on the roof of the locomotive.

Lastly, I want to say that this project genuinely makes me feel happy every time I sit at the workbench. The Sherman felt like a slog on many occasions... but this feels really fresh. It's interesting what a difference can a different subject, and a change of scenery (pun intended) make!