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Displaying Z at shows
9 years 1 month ago #18172
by kevsmith
Displaying Z at shows was created by kevsmith
It is not easy displaying Z at shows. The models are very small and seem insignificant and a bit lost in the general hubbub of a busy show. To make matters worse some show organisers think it is a good idea to put the Z layout next to the G scale one for contrast.
Peter McConnell, the Zedex show organiser, was quite keen when I suggested that I display a selection of British Z alongside Republic Steel at this years convention. Of course I then had to work out how to do it and also make it have some impact.
It needed to be relatively easy to make and quick too. Looking around I found some faulty kitchen cupboard doors that I had recently had to change in the house. I had done a massive revamp on the kitchen and dining room a few years back with all the frontages being a very clean looking glossy white. These came from a big D.I.Y chain in the U.K (B&Q)However, these are now starting to fail as the plastic coating pops off the front.
As the remaining bit was quite accurately machined MDF it occurred to me that I could use the edges to build up a display stand.
Starting with the top piece I sliced it down to give sufficient width to lay track on and then increased each subsequent layer by the same amount. These were then screwed together
A back panel of plywood was cut and screwed to the back and the whole lot sprayed in red oxide primer.
Now I didn't want to tie up a load of Peco track on this but have acquired a lot of the display track sections that come with the 'Atlas Editions' static Z models. This is slightly wide in gauge but assembled into sections and given a light coat of matt black to blend the sections together they work quite well.
The backboard will have some blurb on it and I've made a second lower unit now to go alongside. so will be able to fly yhe flag for British z in a few weeks time
Cheers
Kev
Peter McConnell, the Zedex show organiser, was quite keen when I suggested that I display a selection of British Z alongside Republic Steel at this years convention. Of course I then had to work out how to do it and also make it have some impact.
It needed to be relatively easy to make and quick too. Looking around I found some faulty kitchen cupboard doors that I had recently had to change in the house. I had done a massive revamp on the kitchen and dining room a few years back with all the frontages being a very clean looking glossy white. These came from a big D.I.Y chain in the U.K (B&Q)However, these are now starting to fail as the plastic coating pops off the front.
As the remaining bit was quite accurately machined MDF it occurred to me that I could use the edges to build up a display stand.
Starting with the top piece I sliced it down to give sufficient width to lay track on and then increased each subsequent layer by the same amount. These were then screwed together
A back panel of plywood was cut and screwed to the back and the whole lot sprayed in red oxide primer.
Now I didn't want to tie up a load of Peco track on this but have acquired a lot of the display track sections that come with the 'Atlas Editions' static Z models. This is slightly wide in gauge but assembled into sections and given a light coat of matt black to blend the sections together they work quite well.
The backboard will have some blurb on it and I've made a second lower unit now to go alongside. so will be able to fly yhe flag for British z in a few weeks time
Cheers
Kev
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