Maron (T&F)/Behind the Scenes

Background Information
Maron is a fictional town on the Island of Sodor created by the Rev. W. Awdry. It serves a station The Main Line.

The station first appeared in the first series episode Edward and Gordon, which first aired in 1984. Its last appearance was in the twenty-fourth series episode Gordon and Rebecca, Coming Through!, which was released in 2021.

Gauge 1 models
Maron was originally built for the first series. Its appearance was modelled after Elsbridge as it appears in The Railway Series. The station was initially planned to have curved platforms as seen in some early concept art, however due to budgetary constraints it had straight platforms instead.

Close-up model
A close-up model of a small portion of Maron station was built to be used for scenes involving the close-up scale figures.

CGI model
In 2009, the series introduced Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI) as a replacement for the show's long-standing live-action models. Maron was recreated from scratch in CGI by Nitrogen Studios. The model was "hand-sculpted" in Maya, a 3D animation and modelling software.

According to Greg Tiernan, the CGI models are subjected to many rounds of review before they are submitted to HiT Entertainment for final input and approval.

Maron has had modifications throughout the CGI era. These include:
 * Series 13:
 * The car park is enlarged again.
 * A fourth lamp appears on solely the rear platform behind the footbridge.
 * The station flips directions.
 * Series 17:
 * The fourth lamp on the rear platform disappears.
 * Series 18:
 * A signal box is added near the station for Thomas the Quarry Engine only.