As usual, there were a number of stand-alone layouts invited to the show.  The following photos capture a number of them – and there was some inspiring modelling to be seen.

Fleischmann brought along their N-gauge layout based on the Mosel valley, where river and railway run beneath extensive vineyards.  The scene is compressed, of course, and the hillsides are steeper than real life, but it looks so right!  Just a simple tail-chaser, but beautifully done.

Lemiso-Werke are a company making models in a range of scales, but they have an exquisite layout to promote their wares.  I saw pictures of this Nm layout last year.  It’s even better seen in the flesh.  Snow is such a difficult thing to model well.

Then there is this complex harbour scene, and I especially liked the very detailed ships.

But the piece de resistance must have been this large canal lock – rather like the ones you can see near Northwich in Cheshire.  I kept going back to have another look!

A small portion of the enormous layout of Stuttgart’s railways was on show.  This layout was a lifetime labour of love by a Stuttgart modeller.  When he died, most of the layout was saved (with help from the local NCI members amongst others) and parts are now on show near the new Stuttgart station (than has finally opened.)

Next post, it’s party time!