#10: Final Detail

 

1. Early Preparations and Structural Stability

By early December 2021, the basic structure of the creation had been completed, but the stability of the roof and walls was still insufficient. Since the building’s interior was hollow, the roof and walls tended to tilt. Therefore, during the New Year period, a significant amount of time was spent reinforcing the modular structure to ensure stability and proper weight distribution.

2. Detail Inspection and Adjustments

Before the competition, a detailed inspection focused on visual gaps, seam connections, and areas that seemed too rigid. Here are some key modifications:

(1) Front Porch and Floor Tile Design

The Changhua Station at that time was not entirely made of bricks, so the floor tiles should have been cement. However, in LEGO creations, the floor often serves as a visual focal point. Therefore, I decided to use 1×1 smooth tiles to create a mosaic-style floor. After simulating the color scheme in Excel, the final design incorporated some dark blue accents to add depth to the composition.

(2) First-Floor Wall Ventilation Holes

Research revealed that there were ventilation holes at the bottom of the first-floor walls. To confirm this, I consulted an expert. As a result, I faithfully recreated this detail in the LEGO build. Although the holes were eventually obscured by benches, a great deal of effort went into incorporating them. Given the double-layer wall structure, this aspect was also carefully designed with modularization in mind.

(3) Side Walls of the Three Circular Windows on the Second Floor

The central roof was higher and had a different slope, exposing a small portion of the sidewalls. To address this, I designed side gables and walls. However, installing this section was highly challenging because it could not be built from the ground up but had to be installed from above without affecting the roof structure. Ultimately, various orientation techniques were used to enhance stability and secure the sidewalls.

(4) Second-Floor Roof Weight Adjustment

The addition of a small sloped roof on the second floor, which was connected using clips rather than being fully fixed, caused a shift in the structure’s center of gravity. To resolve this, I readjusted the internal axles to balance the weight distribution on both sides and slightly reduced the size of the small sloped roof to ensure overall stability.

(5) Railway Tracks and Forecourt Paving

To avoid monotony caused by large areas of a single brick color, I incorporated different sizes and colors of smooth tiles (such as 1×1 round tiles and 1×2 sloped tiles) in the forecourt and railway track areas. This approach simulated natural textures and added depth to the visual composition. Though time-consuming, this detail work significantly enriched the overall aesthetic.

3. Modular Design

To facilitate assembly and transportation, each façade was modularized. By using LEGO part 92593 along with smooth tiles, the station structure could be disassembled into approximately 20–30 sections, making storage and assembly easier. In the end, only the tangpoo-style eaves, the second-floor small tower, and the large tree remained non-detachable, while the rest of the structure could be broken down into separate panels, improving handling efficiency.

4. Lighting Plan

Initially, I planned to use lighting elements to illuminate the model and prevent the entrance from appearing too dark. However, due to time constraints and the need to integrate lighting with the modular design, this plan was not implemented. In the future, if lights are added, early planning for switches and wiring layouts will be necessary to ensure easy installation and removal.

5. Photography and Visual Presentation

During the photography process, I referred to angles commonly used in official LEGO and railway model photography and summarized key points:

• Use minifigures to enhance storytelling and create an immersive scene.
• Highlight the entrance, as it serves as the focal point of the model.
• Maintain the roof’s horizontal alignment in wide shots to avoid distortion.
• Natural light is the best choice, as sufficient lighting reveals finer details.

In the end, I chose to take photos on a Saturday morning under natural light. Although a plain white wall was not available as a background, the wardrobe and built-in lighting provided a simple yet effective setting.

6. Transportation and Exhibition

Since the model had to be transported to the organizers for the finals, I planned multiple assembly and disassembly tests in advance. Before the competition, the model was first sent to the Banxian Railway Cultural Studio in Changhua for exhibition. To ensure safe transportation, I prepared bubble wrap, ziplock bags, and a 28-inch suitcase.

During transit, the suitcase accidentally toppled over, making my heart skip a beat! Fortunately, after inspection, I found that apart from the large tree breaking apart, the rest of the structure remained intact. The modular design had indeed proven its stability.

7. Pop-Up Exhibition in Front of Changhua Station

Upon arrival in Changhua, I collaborated with the local cultural studio to set up a pop-up assembly exhibition in front of Changhua Station. With the help of friends, we recreated a model nearly identical to the station as it appeared 65 years ago. 

As the sunset cast a warm glow over the model, an elderly man walked by and exclaimed, "Wow! This looks exactly like the station from my childhood!" At that moment, all the effort felt worthwhile.

8. Conclusion

Winning or losing the competition was never the priority; the most important achievement was fulfilling the goal set in 2012—to participate in a large-scale competition. Throughout this journey, I am deeply grateful to all the friends who provided support, especially my children, who offered daily suggestions. 

 

This MOC experience was not only a technical breakthrough but also a journey filled with memories and a profound sense of accomplishment.

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See Final Work in Display: The Timber Terminal – Changhua’s Golden Age Station

01 Recreating - 02 Coloring  - 03 Parts Inventory  - 04 Karahafu Roof  - 05 Colombage Skill  - 06 Main Roof  - 07 Steam train  - 08 Vintage Bus  - 09 Tree and Shelter  - 10 Final