Building a Winter Coffee Hut Scene in OO Gauge

Let's create a winter coffee hut scene in OO gauge!

First things first, I simply must disclose that I am a beginner and by no means an expert at model making or dioramas! However, I fully admire seeing everyone's creations and all things miniature - and thought why not, let's give it a go! We've all got to start somewhere…

I did a bit of research beforehand and realised that snow scenes can be great for all modellers no matter how skilled. In fact, they are particularly great for beginners because snow is forgiving… It can hide the nooks and crannies or any little mistakes! Combined with the fact I'm starting to feel rather cosy on the run-up to Christmas… l decided to make a wintery scene!

In this tutorial, I fancied the challenge of using organic matter as foliage - I feel the finished results look much more authentic than the tiny pre-made modelling trees. For an ultra-realistic touch to your scene, take a look outside and see what foliage you have in your surrounding green space during the season you are modelling. In this instance, I've made this diorama in early December, and a lot of foliage has died back leaving bare branches or dried-out seed pods… These make for really interesting model foliage!

Here we go…

Scale Model Scenery kits you'll need to make this scene:

• LX578-OO Christmas Market Stall
• LX154-OO Garden Sheds
• LX470-OO A-Frame and Pavement Swing Advertising Signs
• LX566-OO Wooden Bistro Tables and Chairs
• BB031 Micro Diorama Baseboard 140x97mm With Backscene Board

Branded accessories you'll need to make this scene:

• Noch 15926 Shoppers At The Christmas Market (or similar - there's hundreds of minifigure alternatives out there!) and Deluxe Materials AD-29 Tacky Wax Figure Glue

Materials you'll need:

• Mod Podge
• UHU Glue
• DLAD-87 Deluxe Materials Laser Cut Kit Glue (and Glue tips - optional but very handy!)
• Modelling snow or spray (pre-bought or DIY - I've used The Army Painter BF4112 Battlefield Snow Scatter)
• Deluxe Materials AD-54 Scenic Spray Glue (or a small spray bottle, filled with a bonding glue mix for the snow - I used half Mod Podge/half water, you could also use half PVA/half water)
• Scissors
• Craft knife
• Ruler
• Tweezers
• Black marker pen
• Flower tufts or any scenic foliage of your choice
• Trees (pre-bought or DIY - I've made mine from clippings outside and covered them in snow. You may need a hot glue gun for glueing trees to the baseboard)
• A backscene of your choice to fit your baseboard (pre-bought or DIY - I printed mine from a stock-free image online)

Step 1: Prepare your baseboard

Firstly, make your micro baseboard following the instructions. Using Mod Podge, paint a layer on the base where the scene is going to sit and cover with a layer of your modelling snow. Set aside for ten minutes so the first layer starts to set. 

Spray the first layer of snow with bonding glue mix, (I used half Mod Podge/half water, shake until well mixed) and apply a second sprinkling of modelling snow. These two layers were enough to cover the base for me, but depending on the snow or glue you have chosen, you may need to repeat the second layer until the base is fully covered.

Step 2: Create your Christmas market stall (optional LED) and garden shed 

These kits can be painted with acrylic paints if you fancy a pop of colour.

When you have made these, cover the roof with glue (I used Mod Podge) and dip the roof into the snow/sprinkle the snow on.

It's optional whether you want the LED light wiring in your market stall - you just need to tape the wire to the back of the diorama and build over it.

Step 3: Create your coffee signs, table and chairs

Choose from a selection of signs provided in the signs kit, I went with both of the black backgrounds with coffee designs.

Use a marker pen to colour in the frames on the signs (optional of course!). I did one in black, and one natural.

Step 4: Create your trees

Roaming the outdoors… I took clippings of flower heads that had dried out in my garden - anything that would make interesting trees or shrubs with spikes, stems or berries! Although I didn't use them, the dried blackberries were really lovely, and could be interesting to use!

Trim your organic cuttings to size and check against your baseboard for the height and shape you need.

Spray with your glue bond of choice, and use a spoon or spatula to scoop snow over the wet branches.

Final result… Looks really lovely!

This one is my favourite! These fluffy seed pods look fabulous covered in snow. The before on the left, after on the right…

Step 5: Assemble the diorama

Print your backscene to fit your diorama background, cut to size and glue it down with some PVA.

Roughly map out where you want your trees to be before glueing them down. I (embarrassingly) ended up using all my glues for the trunk, although if unlike me you: don't panic, have plenty of time to let it dry, plenty of patience, and a good prop… You'll be fine using just one strong glue!

Now then, I almost didn't use this next image because it shows what a complete novice I am at this… A make-do tree prop! I didn't have anything to prop my trees up with when they were drying which I VERY much regretted not thinking about! They would just NOT stay up… Until I realised my pair of scissors did the job just fine… If it ain't broke don't fix it…

Also - a top tip I learned very quickly was to glue some of the branches to the backscene with UHU to support the tree! (UHU glue dries very quick). In hindsight, a hot glue gun might have been best for the job.

Scatter some snow along the back of the diorama to disguise the paper join, and hide any glue from the tree trunks.

Step 6: Add in all your elements and make any final adjustments

Now it all comes together! Arrange where you'd like the buildings and accessories to go.

Add in your scenery details and figures with Deluxe Materials AD-29 Tacky Wax Figure Glue (this stuff is brilliant, I swear by it for sticking things down and it's really easy to clean off!). I used some seed pods that had fallen off the twig I'd used and scattered them, along with an FB021-OO Autumn/Winter Bramble tuft. I could have gone to town with scenery accessories if I had more time - so go for it!

Final photographs:

And for the final results… I'd say that's a pretty good start! If this were a permanent diorama I could add plenty more to it, but for now it shows off some snow very nicely! Plus I think the organic twigs were a huge success and would recommend them to anybody. I have always had an admiration for other people's miniature creations, but my golly, do I appreciate that now more than ever… So many tiny things and so much patience! I thoroughly enjoyed the journey of making this diorama, and was surprised how quickly it all started to come together.

Please do comment and let me know if you enjoyed reading this or if I have inspired you at all! I would love to hear from you. Thanks for reading this far. 

Happy modelling…

Jess & The Team