Bucks Hill

Builder: Kevin Wilson Issue it appeared in: Art of Modelling 2016 Chosen by: Mike Harris, Staff Writer

I recall this image of a GWR ‘Bulldog’ 4‑4‑0 No. 3331 Pegasus rounding a curve with the rolling hills and an old barn in the background. It’s one of the most realistic rural model landscapes I have ever seen. Kevin’s 48ft by 8ft ‘O’ gauge representation of the Welsh Marches is a patchwork of model making expertise, thanks to contributions from some of the best modellers in the hobby (the likes of Maggie and Gordon Gravett, Paul Bambrick and the late Carl Legg). If photo‑realistic buildings and a very unique method of weaving Silhouette Studios’ Silflor into carpet underlay (pioneered by Kevin and his friend Chris Gates) wasn’t enough, it features some of the most gorgeous kit‑built Edwardian‑era locomotives to boot! There really is something very romantic about the early 19th‑century railway, a time when locomotives were flawlessly turned out in the most intricate of liveries. In my opinion, that’s what ‘Bucks Hill’ captures better than any other layout – splendour. In fact, it’s so splendid it’s verging on vulgar – Edwardian Britain would have certainly approved.