Detailed line side hut scene for OO gauge model railways with internal lighting
One of my scenic scenes built for OO gauge, 1/76th scale model railways, and packed with little details. It depicts an old line hut, as seen alongside railway lines up and down the UK. Debris and assorted junk lie around it, and a cat—waiting for the workers to return and feed it—can be seen sitting on a barrel by the door.
Although only 5 cm by 5 cm, this mini-scene was a lot of fun to design, make, and paint. Details include glass window panes, which create a nice reflection from the internal flickering yellow LED, a discarded bucket alongside a sheet of rusting corrugated metal propped up against the side of the building, an old tree at the rear (not visible in the photo), and weeds and vegetation growing around the hut.
Construction materials include card, paper, plastic, foam, 1 mm thick glass, and resin parts. After the planning stage of my process, total construction and painting time was two and a half days.
The weathering process was particularly enjoyable, as I wanted to capture the look of a hut that had seen years of wear and tear. First, the hut’s exterior was primed and then aged with washes of thinned-down paint followed by repeated dry-brushed layers to suggest exposure to the elements. Hand-mixed weathering powders from crushed pastels to create custom shades of rust, dirt, and grime were applied in layers, with particular attention given to the rusting corrugated sheet propped up against the building, adding to the authenticity.
The scene wasn’t complete until I added the finishing touches: an old tree stump at the back of the hut (not visible in the photo), and the final layer of soil and mud. This texture was made from a mixture of crushed pastels, ash, and wood glue, which, when dried, gave a realistic earthy effect that blended the elements of the scene and brought them together perfectly. The process of mixing and applying the ground textures was time-consuming but incredibly rewarding.
Each one is subtly different, featuring different finishing and detailing on the hut; debris around the hut, animals and figures.