Can you create an O gauge diorama?
The Gauge O Guild are supporting the PECO Rail200 competition by encouraging Gauge O Guild members to show what can be created on a baseboard 750mm x 305mm.
This will produce a great static display board for your favourite locomotive or an ideal photography platform.
As an incentive, we will reimburse the first 200 Gauge O Guild Members to enter the competition £10 on production of a receipt for the baseboard. Hopefully, we can make a really good O gauge contribution towards celebrating the 200th anniversary of the birth of the modern railway, with the Stockton & Darlington Railway opening on September 27, 1825, connecting places, people, communities and ideas and ultimately transforming the world.
The closing date for PECO Rail200 entries is 30th September 2025 so, if anyone is coming to Guildex on 6th - 7th September 2025, we would ask that they bring their diorama with them to display for others to see (even if you only attend for one day) or, if you cannot come to Guildex, send us a photograph to display.
I know one O gauge modeller who has a shunting layout made out of two box files so imagine what you can achieve for a static display with some O gauge track.
O gauge entries are part of the standalone option in the PECO competition and as mentioned, the laser-cut baseboard kit comprises plywood parts and has a footprint of 29.5" x 12" (750mm x 305mm approx.). It has been designed for ease of assembly using just wood glue, with no cutting or drilling necessary. (An article showing how to assemble one of these baseboards will be published in Railway Modeller.) The baseboard kit can be ordered online, direct from PECO, with expected delivery to UK mainland addresses within seven days of the order being placed.
Once you have the baseboard, then get creative. Let’s show what O gauge modellers can do!
You can read all the information you need via the PECO Rail200 competition website.
The competition entry form is accessed via the link above, together with frequently asked Questions and Answers and the link to buy your baseboard.
I have bought mine. Come on….join the celebration
If you are entering tell us via the Gauge O Guild website so we know who the first 200 members are.
When you have paid for your board, I will email an expenses form for you to complete and you will send that with your baseboard receipt to Malcolm Hector to get reimbursed £10.00
Only the first 200 Guild members who enter will get the reimbursement but other members can still enter the PECO Rail200 competition and show what is possible in O gauge.
Thank you
Jackie Kneeshaw
Chairman of Events
Contact me about any queries via jackiegogevents@gmail.com