"Crossing the Rhine with Dry Feet" Diorama (6 Viewers)

[7th OVI]

Began working on a permanent WW2 diorama using pieces from my old WW2 German city diorama and some new elements. This one is going to take some time getting done but I have almost all of the pieces on hand to make it happen. One of the challenges is taking apart the old diorama and expanding the train tracks (see attached images} and adding in the new elements like the crossing towers of the Ludendorff bridge (see attached image) that I just received and a series of new buildings. Wish me luck. Thx Chris

 

[Panzer ace]

The Mountain Dew Zero can in the last pic really provides a great scale/size perspective.

 

[jomartvr]

The street scene is wonderful.
Thanks for posting

 

[Mike97]

Absolutely brilliant!

 

[7th OVI]

Well, a quick update, deconstruction of the old WW2 diorama continues. I need to speed it up since we cannot use the kitchen table with the bridgehead on it. The bridgehead is 42 inches across and almost 40 inches high. The plan is to deconstruct the old layout, increase the length of the railroad track, replace the city buildings with new improved versions, add the 3d printed bombed church, connect and power the streetcar track, add a bombed-out factory and then add the bridgehead. Here are a few before and after images of the deconstruction. The first part was taking apart the old dock area as seen in 4 of the images, the last 2 are of the empty area were the dock, water, S Boat and bridges were located. This section also included about 30 LED lights on the dock, bridges and within the bunkers that required disconnecting. That's it for now. Thx

 

[Horus]

Obviously you need the space Chris, but it's just a shame that such an already diorama has to be sacrificed.
Still you have the photos, and the satisfaction of enjoying the building and completion of your original vision and managing to salvage some of it for your new project !

 

[7th OVI]

Obviously you need the space Chris, but it's just a shame that such an already diorama has to be sacrificed.
Still you have the photos, and the satisfaction of enjoying the building and completion of your original vision and managing to salvage some of it for your new project !

Honestly, it is hard taking it apart, a lot of effort went into the first version. Some of it will not work in the new layout as well so those elements will be either stored or disposed. Thx

 

[Terp152]

All expertly done! Especially the details such as the ice on the dugout. THe Ramagan Bridge is a good rendition, having visited it many yrs ago.

 

[29 Let's Go]

Wonderful diorama with lots of detail. I really like the waterfront. All the best on your deconstruction and relocation. I know the feeling, having taken apart my Hadrian’s Wall.
Steve

 

[Seneca]

What a huge project! It looks absolutely promising and stunning! Wishing you the best of luck—I’m sure it’ll turn out great!

 

[Kenneth Osen]

I can’t wait to see the end results!

 

[Mike97]

I am in awe, what a great set up

 

[7th OVI]

Though it would be time to post a quick update on the new WWII diorama using pieces from the old diorama. Deconstruction of the bridges, train yard, dock area and the S Boat (don't worry, the boat is intact, just in storage) is complete. Finished the wiring schematic for the trains, lights, switches, water towers and gates. Began mapping the area around the towers and building the 3D model of the front portion of the bridge to go between the towers. Built the diorama tables and started to map all of the terrain features around the bridge as well as trying out a potential 3D integrated back drop. This diorama section will be 2 feet wide and 16 feet long. I am trying to stay as accurate to images taken in 1945 as possible but may need to take some liberties to make it all fit. Attached are some images of the tables, bridge towers with RR track and the building of the 3D bridge portion that will go between the towers. That's it for now.

 

[7th OVI]

Well, it has been a minute since my last update so want to show you some of the progress. After studying the images of the capture and the collapse of the bridge, I have edited out pieces of the planned railroad portion of the layout so that there will be 2 parallel fully functional sets of tracks going across the diorama that will be the basis for 2 construction cranes and a small locomotive that normally accompanied them and .potentially a small freight train. The biggest challenge was creating a backdrop for the diorama. Almost all the backdrops were too small or when enlarged became very distorted. Tried a number of approaches and filled up 5 large garbage bags with failed attempts. So decided to make one from scratch. The backdrop is 42 inches tall and 16 feet long. I used period images taken around the bridge in Spring of 1945 as a guide and then painted it myself. I also got nearly finished with the bridge portion that will attach to the towers. I am just waiting on the arrival of the 3D printed portion of the tunnel to finish out the blocking of the towers and terrain with the backdrop. As always, here are some images of the bridge portion, the making of the backdrops and the initial laying of the track. More next month.

 

[mestell]

Absolutely brilliant. This is such a big undertaking and you are certainly accomplishing it masterfully.
Mike

 

[Louis Badolato]

Wow! That is some fantastic work!!

 

[agmtanks]

Magnificent !!!!

 

[Running-Buddy]

Unbelievable on a massive scale! It is coming along beautifully. I wish I had the room for such a project, thanks for sharing your project with us.

Howard