Hope everyone's summer is going well. Having finally finished a non-SWSM kit that took forever, I'm finally ready to take the plunge and get cracking on the Logging Camp Diorama. As most of you already know, this is made up of four kits: Logging Camp Main Street and Essentials, the Loco and Service Shops and the Donkey Repair Yard. Here is the layout plan from the site
![lc_map lc_map](https://www.craftsmankituniversity.com/vanforum/uploads/imageupload/739/WENKQR0HEERI.jpg)
I plan on laying the buildings all out and I may reorder the buildings a bit and re-size the overall diorama to be a bit bigger than the 2' x 4' layout just to give things a bit more room.
First up is Logging Camp Main Street which was released in 2007 when I was a freshman in college. So needless to say, even if I knew about SWSM and Brett had priced the kit at $15, I would not have been able to take part in the original run. Was lucky enough to get my hands on a mint condition kit through the wonders of the internet.
![IMG_5150 IMG_5150](https://www.craftsmankituniversity.com/vanforum/uploads/imageupload/746/36X65OKY31AB.JPG)
As usual with Brett's kits, there are a boatload of castings. This run it was all resin and white metal-- no 3d printing just yet! I have already primed them.
![IMG_5151 IMG_5151](https://www.craftsmankituniversity.com/vanforum/uploads/imageupload/203/GAB3ZHH0BHXT.JPG)
Summer has been pretty busy but have made good progress on the Hotel portion which is the first building. Some pics attached below. Will try to take a few more in progress shots as I move along. As always, any feedback and constructive criticism is welcome.
My thought here is to model the logging camp on upstate NY, in the Adirondacks, which is about 2 hours north of me. So have had many a summer and winter visit. That being said, I am trying to get a more "wet" look to the wood so more brown than gray. Timeframe is the 1920s-30s so thought is no one is really visiting the site any longer and hotel has started to fall into disrepair. The other buildings will still be in good order as it's an active camp but the end is in sight. Doing some research, the camps in NY really did die out pretty early as they were obviously logged extensively from colonial times on. So this timeline may be a bit of a stretch.
![IMG_5147 IMG_5147](https://www.craftsmankituniversity.com/vanforum/uploads/imageupload/150/ZH0CQY9CRNSP.JPG)
![IMG_5148 IMG_5148](https://www.craftsmankituniversity.com/vanforum/uploads/imageupload/922/ZHIVEAN062EW.JPG)
![IMG_5149 IMG_5149](https://www.craftsmankituniversity.com/vanforum/uploads/imageupload/141/5AKEG4S681VL.JPG)
Thanks everyone for checking in. Have been so inspired by some of the builds of these four kits on the forum and I am really looking forward to the journey ahead.
Comments
Hey Al. Yes it’s been slow in here. Summer time is in full swing so think it will get busier as the weather cools off. I had to buy essentials from a guy in Australia…not many of those around.
Forgot that layout diagram even existed... Oh the memories of the last thirty years. Crazy.
The layout diagram is still there on your website , tucked away in the Logging Camp Essentials
Section.
Nick
Got one wall of the Dry Goods store done to test color and overall look-- going for still in good use but showing age. And for that more Northeastern "wetter" look to the wood. Used a combination of chalk and oils and am pretty happy with the results. Bottom right corner intended to show water damage from the pipe on the roof (still need to add some rough interior framing behind it) and will carry that over to the corner of the roof as well. If it doesn't look good when in place, can always throw a casting in front of it.