This week on the Great Model Railway Challenge, the Basingstoke Bodgers, Team Tonbridge and Team Steampunk were tasked with taking us on a journey around the world. One team even chose to take us on a journey through time too.
Behind the Scenes Photos
Final Pictures
What did I learn?
The main thing I learnt is to think outside the box when choosing themes. Don’t just go for the normal, find something that really excites not only you but also the viewers of your layout. This may seem a bit dramatic when not on TV but most of us like to show off our layouts to friends or online. Something a little bit different can grab people’s attention and it can be quite subtle. My micro layout is going to have typical grey Welsh weather (I’m half Welsh before you complain!) and a mix of narrow and standard gauge.
Scenic height is vital in a larger layout. I do appreciate that some areas of the world are flat and you can’t just build any height into them but most are not. Flat layouts can lack the visual appeal of those with more height in their scenery. Because flat plywood is the easiest thing to lay track on, we’re often guilty of keeping everything else flat too. One to consider when designing your next layout.
I also had a great time chatting to Mike from Team Steam Punk on how to mould and cast in silicone rubber. It’s an area I’m working on so it was great to have an expert’s input.
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