RAILWAY OF THE MONTH

Splott
Paul Spencer describes how he constructed this 1980s diesel era layout, set against a Cardiff industrial backdrop and digitally operated. It will be appearing at the EM Gauge Society Spring show on 10 & 11 May.

PLAN OF THE MONTH

Competition Cameos
A selection of ideas in different scales for the PECO RAIL200 competition, with the challenge to build a layout or diorama on a baseboard of just 291h" x 12".

PLUS ALL THE LATEST NEWS & REVIEWS...

In this months issue...

RAILWAY OF THE MONTH - POTTENDORF

You cannot better a good idea: Tim Hale has revisited a favourite theme - a Bavarian branch in the Deutsche Bundesbahn period, modelled in HO.

LOCK 11

Jan van Munster presents his French HO exhibition layout, which has an unusual working feature inspired by the Vallee des Eclusiers in the Vosges.

PLAN OF THE MONTH - ILLIUM

On the Colorado 3' gauge: Mick Savage describes his fixed room-filling American Sn3 layout.

+PLUS!

All the latest news, reviews and layouts from around the world!

METHOD OF ENTRY:

The first step in entering our exciting and new RAIL200 Competition is the purchase of the dedicated RAIL200 Competition Baseboard. Our bespoke baseboard is designed for both the Modular Competition (OO Scale) and Standalone Competition (Any Scale). For the Modular Competition, the supplied track MUST be used and placed as instructed. Other gauge track can be used elsewhere on the board, but must not interfere with the mainline of track, as this will be used to operate if the entry makes it to the finals. For the Standalone Competition, the supplied track MAY be used, and wherever on the board, if desired. No specific tools will be required to assemble the baseboard, but a PVA glue will be required.

Upon purchase of this baseboard, you'll be contacted automatically via email with a useful video guide, showing you how to assemble your baseboard, as well as details on how to submit your entry for judging, to be in with a chance of making the finals and hopefully winning!

A printed hard copy of these instructions, as well as printed entry form will also be included with the baseboard that is sent to you.

Enjoy your build and good luck!

For more information or enquiries please e-mail: rail200competition@peco.co

The competition entry page can be found here.

ABOUT THE RAIL200 COMPETITION

The RAIL200 Competition aims to celebrate two centuries of railway heritage by engaging both seasoned and novice modellers and of all ages. Participants do not need prior experience in railway modelling, making this an inclusive opportunity for anyone that would like to take part of try their hand in modelling. The competition features two distinct categories, allowing entrants to choose based on their interests and skills.

These are:

1. The Modular Competition: Participants are tasked with creating a layout using a OO gauge piece of track provided by PECO. Strict guidelines ensure compatibility among entries, enabling the finalists’ layouts to be linked-together into a larger, cohesive exhibition at a special venue, to be announced. Finalists will have their layouts assembled by PECO technicians and showcased to the public, with features in Railway Modeller magazine and prizes for winners and runners-up.

2.The Standalone Competition: This category allows modellers to craft a scenic display in any scale or gauge, focusing solely on scenic creativity and imaginative design. Dioramas are standalone pieces and are not required to be connected operationally with other layouts. Finalists will have their work displayed publicly and featured in Railway Modeller magazine, with prizes awarded to winners and runners-up.

To enter the RAIL200 Competition, participants are required to purchase a specially designed RAIL200 baseboard, which grants automatic entry into the competition, and will be posted to them along with instructions on how to assemble their baseboard, as well as how to register their entry online, or if preferred by submitting in the post . Entrants are required to send high-quality photographs of their completed layouts or dioramas by the submission deadline, in order to be considered for the final. An independent panel of judges will evaluate the entries, selecting finalists for exhibition and publication opportunities.

POSTAGE & PACKING

UK (Scotland, England, Wales, N.Ireland) - £6.00
UK (Highlands & Islands) - £30.00

Please note: We apologise for any higher than expected delivery charges but these are the exact and direct costs from the courier that we cannot change.

KEY DATES

Competition Opens: Monday 7th April 2025
Submission Deadline: Tuesday 30th September 2025

Please note: This competition is a UK-based competition only

RAILWAY OF THE MONTH

Annerley
In reality, the Hull to Scarborough line leaves the coast at Bridlington and heads north to Filey. But David Harrison chose to imagine how the route would have looked, had it continued along the coast to Flamborough Head.

PLAN OF THE MONTH

Leominster
This N gauge layout, being built by the Marches Model Railway Group, is due to go on public display in April, in the town whose station it depicts. Peter Dennis tells the story so far.

PLUS ALL THE LATEST NEWS & REVIEWS...

In this months issue...

RAILWAY OF THE MONTH - MIRABERNINA

On the Rhatische Bahn Bernina line - Eddy de Wilde has modelled a fictional but plausible location on the Swiss metre gauge in HOm.

PETENNE - Part 2

Robert Macchi continues the detailed account of his Italian HO DCC-controlled permanent layout.

PLAN OF THE MONTH - FALLERSTADT

Dave Harris introduces his new DCC-controlled German HO exhibition layout - a busy suburban station with trains, trams, and buses.

+PLUS!

All the latest news, reviews and layouts from around the world!

RAILWAY OF THE MONTH

Dallas
John Wise describes how he created this imagined portrayal of a Great North of Scotland Railway branch terminus, set in the 1950s.hard Lambert describes the background to this imagined main line station, which is set on the Oldham Loop line between Manchester Victoria and Rochdale, in former Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway territory.

PLAN OF THE MONTH

Scotland in a small space
Toby Jennings suggests two compact Scottish layout plans in 00 gauge, both suitable for the new Highland Railway 'Jones Goods' 4-6-0 from Rapido Tr

PLUS ALL THE LATEST NEWS & REVIEWS...

Supplied in a square-section tube, the three separate sheets will match perfectly together to form a continuous run of 2400mm (95in), and reaching to a height of 333mm (13in).

Supplied in a square-section tube, the three separate sheets will match perfectly together to form a continuous run of 2400mm (95in), and reaching to a height of 333mm (13in).

This track models the most common form of concrete sleepering in use in Britain today, with flat bottom rail.

The concrete sleeper detail in SL-303 is vastly improved from the previous SL-302 (now discontinued), with a more prototypical sleeper/tie profile, better representation of the Pandrol-style rail clip and even the manufacturer's name embossed on the surface. Flexible track with nickel silver rail, length 36 inches, 914mm. Supplied in cartons of 25.

N.B Compatible with the existing N scale Code 80 track system, it is also worth reminding that the Code 80 and Code 55 track systems are able to be connected together without the need to compensate for the change in rail height thanks to the clever design of the rail profile and base mouldings of the Code 55 system. The standard SL-310 and SL-311 rail joiners are used for both systems.

A new set of Tracksetta templates are now available. Essential tools for ensuring the best track laying possible with PECO Streamline flexible track, the addition of TT:120 templates now provides modellers in this 'new' scale the opportunity to ensure kink-free, realistic-looking track. Combining different radii also allow the laying of transition curves and reverse curves to best effect. As with the N/OO-9 and OO/HO scale Tracksetta templates these are made from powder-coated steel.

A new set of Tracksetta templates are now available. Essential tools for ensuring the best track laying possible with PECO Streamline flexible track, the addition of TT:120 templates now provides modellers in this 'new' scale the opportunity to ensure kink-free, realistic-looking track. Combining different radii also allow the laying of transition curves and reverse curves to best effect. As with the N/OO-9 and OO/HO scale Tracksetta templates these are made from powder-coated steel.

A new set of Tracksetta templates are now available. Essential tools for ensuring the best track laying possible with PECO Streamline flexible track, the addition of TT:120 templates now provides modellers in this 'new' scale the opportunity to ensure kink-free, realistic-looking track. Combining different radii also allow the laying of transition curves and reverse curves to best effect. As with the N/OO-9 and OO/HO scale Tracksetta templates these are made from powder-coated steel.