My Exhibition Layout - Toscana 1981

[martin67]

Ciao Amici,

finally, I started to make one of my secret dream come true. I started to build a layout, 100% Italian Style...

My first visit to Italy was in early Summer 1979 and from then on twice a year for a long period of time. We (that's my parents, brothers and me) were travelling via Austria and crossed the Italian border at Arnoldstein/Tarvisio, from there we wentthe old road through the Alps, crossed the Tagliamento River on that old, long bridge came through Pordenone and Portogruaro and finished our trip in Ca'Savio, a lovely place near Cavallino near the Venetian Laguna. I loved to travel along the Tarvisio - Udine Railway Line, with all those E626, E636, double heading up the grade, the Centoporte coaches and on the road there were in my german eyes strange looking, but amazing FIAT trucks with lots of wheels.

When you are a child, you start building layouts in your mind every now and then, every day something different. The dream of an Italian layout continued. The only disadvantage was the total lack of Italian style buildings, with the exception of a few Rivarossi stations. Last year, 2013, I visited the Modelexpo in Verona and suddenly, my dream was back. stronger than ever. This year I went to Verona in March again and bought a few things. Companies like Ma.Co.Mo and Struttura Ferroviaria were ready to fulfill my dreams. And, in the end of August, I started to build. Toscana 1981, here we go!









I made a wooden frane with PU foamboards on top, sind this will be a exhibition layout as well must not be too heavy.



The whole layout can be separated in two pieces. The size is exactly what fits into my BMW.



Laying track, not the final plan.



Then, a box full of green stuff came, trees and grass. Heki offers beautiful mediterranean trees (Pine, Cypress and Olive), but not really cheap.



I cut the bottom size of the houses out of cardboard to see how everything fits in zize.



And then, the first shipment of houses came from Struttura Ferroviaria. There will be another shipment from Ma.co.mo as well.



Freight shed





And a farm building



I love the details of the wall in the rear of the building with the openings for ventilation.



I have some more shortly...

Martin

[martin67]

Part two:

Some road vehicles came:













One of the tunnels is ready:



The public toilet



And now, the little village has a name, "VALDITARO"



I painted the tracks and started to set up the catenary, which is Lima with wires from Hobbex.













That's it for now...

We will have a exhibition in southern Germany on 8th and 9th of November, where I will show this small layout to the public.

Have a nice evening,

Martin

[martin67]

Work in progress! Some Buildings from Ma.Co.Mo arrived and construction continued.







Hope you like it....

Martin