The best models of people are, without any doubt, those produced by Preiser. They cost a lot more than others but the difference is immediately visible. I also bought a small box of Merten figures, just because I liked the poses. The main problem was that the figures stand on a circular base which I had to carefully cut away. (The clock in the station will soon be removed and replaced with something more suitable).

The few cars are all made by Brekina, a couple of scooters (repainted) and the bicycles by Model Power. I am sure that with time other figures and vehicles will be included but for the moment, the result so far obtained is satisfactory for me.

Memories and loves must needs be respected. I preferred, I still prefer, and I will always prefer a steam engine over any other type of locomotive which can be invented to pull or push carriages. Only a steam engine can visibly express with the spouts of steam (real steam, not that produced by a cigarette!) the strength, only a mechanism in perfect motion can exalt human creativity. My grandfather often said, “Ah, the good old days...!” and the fact that I find myself saying the same thing can only mean that I too, am getting on...

With no steam it's a completely different kettle of fish. Modern trains are nice, with excellent performance and certainly better in every way, but to me they appear very similar to the carriages that they are pulling. Simply anonymous. Apart from some old Automotrice Diesel which I couldn't not have, I feel that the engines such as the 880, the 740 or the 835 are part of the history of the Italian Railways and as such, like Italian music of the 60's, will be immortal.

Excluding some small jobs involving the green areas which are too uniform, some shading and ageing, adding of urban and railway accessories here and there, and other things which, having fun in so doing, I will effect with time and patience, I think that the project is more or less finished. The only important structural change which I plan to do before the summer is the enlargement of the hidden station which, with the addition of a points division of the central track, will pass from three to four tracks. Soon I will begin the job of digitalizing the whole, and as can be seen in the photo, on the new cabinet which has replaced the glorious work top, a Computer will appear which will have to be responsible for the direction of the traffic... I think that I have succeeded in creating something that is original and different. To give an idea of the whole in its context I have taken a series of photos using a wide angle lens – photos taken from each corner of the room. My daughters' ex-bedroom is now a small drawing room where I can quietly get on with planning new projects and ideas, maybe watching television at the same time or, surfing the net or simply listening to some music with friends. When I started the project I had but one grandchild. Now there are three of whom two are strong and very lively boys. I only hope that for the next three or four years the heavy plexiglass cover is strong enough to withstand their exuberance.

I would like to express my thanks to my friend Enrico Turelli who, with patience and steadfastness, insisted until I realised the importance of the materials used and the search for the greatest realism possible by an accurate attention to detail. With his contribution of experience, techniques and product knowledge I have been able to construct something that he too should feel part owner. I am sure that our collaboration will continue to be an important factor for the future digitalization and computerisation of the model.

We met before I was twenty years old. He came up to me to take me to play for the Lucca Varsity basketball team. I wasn't particularly successful; the others were simply too tall and too good. He was already a convinced modeller and I, who played around with smaller items, immediately realised that there was an enormous difference in our ways of creating 1:87 scale models. Adolescent games being over, I decided to try for something better – and realised that I could in no way, manage it without his help.