Searching for a new project, MARCUS LAMBERT decided to build a small ‘OO’ gauge layout set in a Traction Maintenance Depot in the colourful postprivatisation era.
AFTER getting my loft layout Gowerton Parkway to a stage where it was almost complete (HM123), I wanted a fresh challenge. I had often toyed with the idea of building an exhibition layout but never knew quite where to begin as there were so many challenges.
The first was convincing myself that my modelling was now up to a standard that was good enough for people to pay to come and see.
Once I had overcome that barrier, then came the next raft of questions: how big should the layout be? How will I transport it? How do I make baseboards that can be taken apart? How do I build something that will keep me entertained for two days at a show? Will anyone even book the layout for shows? In July 2017 I decided it was time to bite the bullet and get something built.
The one thing I knew was that I wanted to utilise the current rolling stock from my loft layout. I run a colourful selection of diesel locomotives from the early privatisation era. By utilising this stock, it would not only minimise the cost of the layout build, but would mean that I could…
