While this year's diorama for the National Model Railroad Build Off was designed with a broader picture and clear 'front' view in mind, there was still great emphasis placed on detailed scenes that contribute to the overall story. That narrative is one of leisure in the "winter paradise" that was Florida of the 1920s, when tourists flocked to the state to escape the cold snowy north and play in the sun. Of course there were residents there too and they found ways to relax and enjoy the day. Below are some close-ups of scenes that tell the story:
Most of this year's figures were already painted, including the garden gnomes - accurate for the 1920s, actually - but I did paint a few figures and details. I also built three vehicles, two from Jordan Miniatures and one from Sylvan, confusingly a 'Jordan' roadster. I'm most pleased with finding a new job for Ma Spumoni; instead of hanging laundry she's picking oranges. The fellow in the rowboat was originally going to be fishing. Before that the rowboat was going to be a scratchbuilt steam launch or pleasure craft such as would be seen at that time. But time ran out for adding more, and space got compressed at the waterfront so the steam launch was replaced with the rowboat, a metal casting. The man snoozing in the boat was marketed as a 'hobo' but in this case he's just a fellow out relaxing on the water...for the moment.
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