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Modellings tips and answers - Modelling with figures and carts - Videos

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Don't forget to read our latest modelling tips and unboxing videos located at the bottom of the newsletter.

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Railway song of the week

Tim Prior contacted us to suggest Little Train from George Benson. It is a track from George Benson’s 1976 classic album Breezin’, which marked a significant moment in his career as it shifted him further into smooth jazz and pop crossover territory. The album was produced by Tommy LiPuma and became one of Benson’s most successful, blending his virtuosic jazz guitar work with rich, melodic arrangements.

"Little Train" is actually an interpretation of Heitor Villa-Lobos' composition "O Trenzinho do Caipira" (or "The Little Train of the Caipira"), part of Villa-Lobos’ Bachianas Brasileiras No. 2. The original is a Brazilian classical piece that mimics the sound and motion of a rustic train ride through the countryside. In Benson’s hands, the piece is reimagined with lush orchestration, tasteful guitar lines and a smooth, jazzy vibe that fits perfectly within the mellow, soulful atmosphere of Breezin’.

Click on the picture to listen to the track:

This week in history

On 27th April 1939, the movie 'Union Pacific' premiered in cinemas across the US. The famous American director Cecil B DeMille directed the film, who had previously directed the hugely successful '10 Commandments' in 1923 and 'Cleopatra' in 1934. Union Pacific tells the story of the expansion of the Union Pacific Railroad across the United States to the West Coast. The extensive use of rolling stock and railroad infrastructure required for the filming meant the producers had to obtain a special operating permit in order to conduct the filming.

Do you have one?

No, you do not have one yet as they have not been released! We have commissioned Dapol to make some Isle of Wight wagons exclusively for us. Based on extensive research to make sure they are accurate, the four different wagons are 5-plank Isle of Wight Central no 150 and no 220 as well as 4-plank Isle of Wight Railway no 45 and private owner Vectis Cement no 5. We expect to receive them at the end of April.

Just send us a message or give us a call on 01983 406 616, and we'll add you to the list to be among the first people we contact when they arrive.

Horse-drawn Delights and Bulk Figures Sets

Have you ever considered adding some horse-drawn charm to your layout? Or perhaps you're looking to populate your rural scenes with lifelike figures? Let's explore some delightful options from Preiser that will bring your OO/HO scale world to life!

Imagine the clip-clop of hooves on cobblestones as a Lowenbrau beer wagon trundles by, or the festive jingle of sleigh bells as Santa and his reindeer prepare for their Christmas Eve journey. These charming horse-drawn vehicles from Preiser are sure to add a touch of nostalgia to your layout. And for those modelling a bygone era, why not include a horse-drawn furniture wagon to depict a family moving house? These beautifully detailed and hand-painted models are ready to place straight onto your layout.

But wait, there's more! How about adding some excitement with a horse-drawn steam fire engine rushing to the rescue? Or perhaps a stationary wine wagon to add interest to a market scene? Beer enthusiasts might appreciate a horse-drawn "Landwehr-Bier" bottled beer wagon making its deliveries. These meticulously crafted models will surely become talking points on your layout.

Now, let's populate your layout with some lively figures! Preiser offers several exclusive super sets that will bring your scenes to life in an instant. The "On the Streets" set provides a whopping 100 figures engaged in various urban activities. For railway enthusiasts, the "Railway Figures" set, also with 100 pieces, is perfect for bustling stations and depots. And if you're modelling a rural area, the "Farm Figures and Animals" set offers 60 pieces to create authentic farming scenes.

For those looking to create specific rural scenes, Preiser has you covered. The "Shepherd and Flock" set includes an impressive 80 pieces, perfect for creating a realistic sheep farming scene. If you're more interested in leisure activities, the "Sport and Leisure" set offers 60 figures engaged in various recreational pursuits. And for a touch of seasonal charm, why not add the "Potato Harvest" set, featuring 11 figures hard at work in the fields?

Modelling tips

We keep on adding modelling tips to our website. Here are a few:

You can read all the articles sorted by categories or from the most recent published one on our website.

Unboxing videos

You want to know what is inside the boxes of modelling products? We open them for you! Subscribe to our YouTube channel to be notified before everyone else or simply click on this selection. Please note that videos are at the bottom of each page.

You can access all the unboxing videos by visiting this page or simply click on the link called "videos" on our websit e.

Events and exhibitions

Find all the latest events and exhibitions for the model railway world, on the UK Model Shop Events directory. Hopefully, 2025 will give us plenty of opportunities to attend events all over the country.

Do you need to order?

Send us an email or give us a call to check availability or to reserve anything, whatever scale you model in. As usual, if we do not have in stock what you are looking for, we will order it for you and you will get it fast (usually within a week if the manufacturer has it in stock). We place weekly orders with most suppliers.

Remember, you can park for free for one hour on the High Street. So no excuse not to come and visit us!

Upstairs Downstairs is open Tuesday to Saturday 10am till 4.30pm. Obviously, our website is open 24h a day and we can post to most locations, including Europe, USA and Australia.

Upstairs Downstairs
3 Pier Street
Sandown, PO36 8JR
Isle of Wight
Tel: 01983 406 616
http://www.trainshop.co.uk or find us on Facebook

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