Creating the Slate Mine
The following account shows how the slate mountain was created with some early steps through to the completion. The working incline has a separate menu as that process was also quite lengthy.
The first picture shows just the track layout before any surrounding structure was created.
The image on the right shows the slate track in relation to the whole village. The outline of the mountain has been added and it is just possible to make out the incline to the left of the picture
The slate mountain was made by creating thick foam sections, covering it with a metal grid and then plaster bandage. The left hand image shows this together with some of the facings made by bashing up real slate.
The right hand image shows the plastered area painted and “grassed”. Some slate facings have been added. The incline tunnel has also been faced.
The way slate was used to give a realistic effect is described in the section “Making the Slate Appearance”.
The final image below shows the mine complete except for final tittivation. The mountain has been extended right round to the left so that it occupies the full width of the board.
