The dust that accumulates over the years is one of the problems that most afflics fair size layouts , making everything opaque and unlikely. The best solution would be to box all the layout, a rather complex and expensive solution.

Therefore we thought to create a cover that prevents dust from falling from the ceiling and that allows, on one hand, to place removable covers (curtains), and on the other, also incorporates the lighting system.

Thanks to Mario’s kind gift (our friend e.n.) we get a number of mineral fiber panels and their supports. So let’s assemble a frame with uprights and guides for plasterboard, actually creating a false ceiling that follows the model perimeter .

We then install five 36 Watt neon tubes upon the false ceiling , whose light is diffused through semi-transparent panels made with translucent plastic panels. To mask the space between the ceiling and the lower edge of the frame we use black panels instead.
Three further neon tubes light up the model from the front, bringing the installed power to 280 Watts. The space between the model and the wall will possibly host a backdrop at a certain distance from the layout border, to be illuminated from above. The overall effect should provide the right depth to the scene.

It’s time to merge the model building made here with the previously created others (read the article). The alignment is almost correct, some slight imperfection can be masked without problems.

We then prepare the panel that will house the group of buildings off-site in order to facilitate the details creation that will enrich this layout glimpse.

After road bed painting, we glue the buildings onto the panel and we are preparing to place the various details, such as photo-etched manholes, sidewalks, etc.

The speed bump with pedestrian crossing is made with Redutex texture applied on a pre-shaped plastic base, in imitation of the slope

We even we plan to build a pair of signals equipped with a flashing light for the pedestrian crossing. the dimensions, 7mm x 1.2mm x 1mm, are small, but not critical.

We prepare a thinned fiberglass board on which we weld two SMD LEDs in series and two very thin enameled copper wires.

We prepare the bracket and the support pole for the two signals, one of which will be positioned on the perimeter wall of one of the buildings.

We glue the bracket and the pole to the relative signals, fixing the copper supports to the pole itself.

Applichiamo le tabelle stampante su carta fotografica e verniciamo il We apply the signage boards printed on photographic paper and paint the model.

We then temporarily position the building group on the model. This is a bird’s eye view.

A current Italian layout setting cannot overlook the details, unfortunately typical of our country, which can make the difference.

Having two resin dumpster (not really beautiful modelswe decide to create the ‘garbage’ space. We build some busters and boxes with various junk. Then we dirty everything with paper clippings and powders fixed with opaque transparent spray. The “ecological island” still lacks containers for separate waste collection, but they will soon be available to citizens.

Qui a lato il dettaglio del segnalatore lampeggiante On the side, the detail of the pedestrian crossing flashing light signal . Flashing is achieved by an accessory mini-decoder.

Questo è uno scorcio della strada fotografato da una ipotetica This is a road glimpse shooted from a hypothetical car.

The first building made is needing an adequate protective mesh. As we couldn’t find a standard building site mesh, we turn to self-made photo-etching. On the wave of enthusiasm we decide to also make a pair of hazard signal ligths (unfortunately, there is no documentation of their realization). A thin ring obtained from a brass tube, the smallest red LED we have, a plastic block and the indicators are ready.

The correct prescription tables must be applied for the yard to comply with the law.

Another glimpse of the street, this time from the opposite side.

A fianco dei fabbricati predisponiamo un parcheggio per i reNext to the buildings we arrange a parking for residents.

In this night view, you can appreciate both the pedestrian crossing and hazard signal ligths. The buildings are internally and externally illuminated. Street lighting is still missing, but street lamp posts construction components are already on the way.