From March 7 till March 9, 2008 the x-th version of Rail was held in Houten, near Utrecht in the Netherlands. It was nice show with many excellent lay-outs. I picked out some which I fancied most. I hope you enjoy the photo's as much I enjoyed the show.
1 The Gauge I layout of "Vrienden van Spoor I" (Friends of gauge I) was impressive by it's sheer size. The scenery though had pieces of artistry like this station
2 The same layout also featured a Meyer compound articulated steam loco. Beautiful in its well detailed green livery.
3 and BIG
4 Especially photographed for Dieter: Altbau E-loks.
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8 The terrific depth of field on this photo was achieved by combining two photo's with varying focus points with Combine ZM Software
9 The most eye catching layout of this show was Jacq Damen's layout. The track work wasn't especially impressive. It was long and rather austere. Trains running didn't attract very much attention. Now I mention it, I can hardly remember rolling stock, except for this standard 98 727 mallet tank engine, modified and weathered almost beyond recognition. No, it was the buildings that attracted so many spectators. Their building work is no less than spectacular. My photo's can't even begin to show the beauty and detail of the buildings on this layout.
10 Another view on the mallet
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12 This photo shows the real beauty of the layout. Just one track running along it. But on what a bridge! You can even see the traces of the white lime along the masonry.
13 And this megastructure was mainly built of veneer wood. Until the last detail!! And beautifully weathered
14 A detail of the same photo
15 a detail of the area
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17 a very dead 96-0
18 A conversion at the barn. Remember: this is H0 scale!! Take a look at the door and the window sills
19 The signal box was a miracle, a precious gem.
20 Not only was the exterior superbly weathered and detailed...
21 the interior was completely fitted as well
22 another detail form the same layout
23 The saw mill
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25 a real treat, if there was anything that was not, was this quarry building
26 A detail. Eine Augenweide, a treat for the eye, would the Germans say. This is were I left Jacq Damen's layout
27 On the layout of the MSVW Weert I found this multiple rail semi turntable switchy thingy. Nice idea if you lack the room.
28 There was a live steam layout too
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35 In the trade area I saw this giant Big Boy (Gauge I, I guess)
36 And now you're in for another treat. Fork Creek's Yard is a simple station area in On30, but again (I start repeating myself) what a beauty and love for detail.
37 Shay waiting for things to come half way out of it's shed
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41 Overview of the layout in the length
42 Again skillful weathering
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45 At the rear of of the layout there was a connection to a standard gauge railway. A huge locomotive was slumbering there
46 The same around the corner
47 A very small English layout called Hepton Wharf, built by a British modeler. Scale OO. A masterpiece of only 50 by 150 cm. Just a few tracks, little scenery, but soooo much atmosphere!!!
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51 Courcelle, a French layout in 7 mm scale, by Richard Chown. An Englishman building a French layout?? Well, why not??? He did a terrific job.
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58 A Dutch layout. Simple yet very nice.
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62 NS series 8700 loco. Standard factory stock design from Hohenzollern.
63 The beautiful, compared to the importance of its railway too large, station building of Eext.
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66 Crossing in an era where time seemed to matter a whole lot less.
67 The last layout I photographed was the one of Ausbesserungwerk and Bahnbetriebswerk (overhaul and depot respectively) of Rosenthal. Huge in surface, impressive in its quantity of loco's. It also appealed to my occupational interests (I work in the rolling stock maintenance and repair business)
68 an overview
69 Wheelsets awaiting overhaul
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72 The Bw
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74 Probably the largest European streamlined loco: BR 06
