Modellings tips and answers - Modelling in various scales - 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
On Saturday, the Eurovision Song Contest saw 37 countries battling it out for a nice glass trophy. You may remember that in 1984, Italian art-pop duet Franco Battiato & Alice sang "I treni di Tozeur" which blends operatic vocals with electronic textures. The song references the trains of Tozeur, a town in Tunisia, evoking a sense of mysticism and cross-cultural connection. Sung in Italian with a German interlude, it stands out for its atmospheric and cinematic quality.
Refresh your memory (and your ears) by clicking on the picture:
This week in history
On the 22nd of May 1941, the Canadian Pacific Railway's east-end locomotive shops in Montreal produced its first Valentine tank as part of WWII war efforts. In total 1.420 Valentine tanks were built by the railway's workshop.
Are you modelling in N gauge?
Tools for thought
For a lot of modellers, tools are often as precious as models with most hobbyists' tool boxes possessing at the very least, a hammer,
screwdrivers, saw and pliers which they use to undertake the majority
of everyday modelling tasks, however, for more intricate work there are
many tools specifically designed with the modeller in mind that can
really make a difference when a precision result is required.
Drilling fine holes in a
model is one example where a general-purpose power drill should
definitely not be used and such precision should only really be tackled
using a hand-operated drill. There are three main types of hand drill favoured by modellers that accept bits small enough for modelling purposes, these are: A mini wheel brace drill which has a handle you turn to generate the drill bit's rotation, an Archimedean drill (often referred to as a push drill) which operates using a vertical pumping action to turn the bit and a pin vice which has no mechanism and is used much the same way as a bradawl but
has the facility to attach various sized drill bits to the end. These
are the best methods to provide you with the pace and accuracy you need
to create a neat, correctly sized hole but more importantly one that
will be where you want it.
Another common frustration for a lot of modellers is creating neat and accurate mitre cuts to model parts or building materials such as plastic strips (especially if they're an irregular shape or profile). Even the slightest imperfection in a freehand cut will be amplified when the time comes to attach sections together. This problem can be easily rectified using a mitre box or a mitre guillotine, both use a fine blade and a selection of predetermined angles to provide accurate and consistently angled cuts every time.
Another common frustration for a lot of modellers is creating neat and accurate mitre cuts to model parts or building materials such as plastic strips (especially if they're an irregular shape or profile). Even the slightest imperfection in a freehand cut will be amplified when the time comes to attach sections together. This problem can be easily rectified using a mitre box or a mitre guillotine, both use a fine blade and a selection of predetermined angles to provide accurate and consistently angled cuts every time.
Click on any of the pictures for more details.
What about modelling in NG7?
NG7 is the new name for On30 or O-16.5. It is O gauge narrow gauge, so O gauge scale but running on track that is the narrower, the width of OO track. If you're looking to add some authentic narrow gauge charm to your layout, Peco has some delightful offerings that are sure to spark your imagination. Let's explore some of their intriguing kits that can help you create a captivating industrial or quarry scene.
For those seeking to populate their goods yard, Peco's GVT Open Wagon kit is a great starting point. This laser-cut kit allows you to build three 4-wheel open wagons typical of many industrial settings. To complement these, why not add some variety with the Penrhyn Quarry Railway Bolster Wagons? This set of three laser-cut kits will give you sturdy wagons perfect for transporting timber or other long loads. And for that quintessential Welsh narrow gauge look, the Penrhyn Quarry Railway Slate Wagons kit provides three more wagons specifically designed for slate transport.
But what's a quarry railway without some specialized rolling stock? Peco's V Skip Side Tip Wagon kit offers three wagons with tipping bodies, perfect for depicting the loading and unloading of minerals or waste. For transporting workers to and from the quarry face, the Penrhyn Quarry Workmen's Coach kit provides an excellent representation of the spartan but practical passenger accommodation used on such lines. And to round off your train, don't forget the GVR Brakevan kit, which will add that final touch of authenticity to your narrow gauge consists.
With these kits, you'll be well on your way to creating a vibrant and realistic narrow gauge railway in NG7. Remember, the joy is in the details, so take your time and enjoy bringing these miniature marvels to life!
For those seeking to populate their goods yard, Peco's GVT Open Wagon kit is a great starting point. This laser-cut kit allows you to build three 4-wheel open wagons typical of many industrial settings. To complement these, why not add some variety with the Penrhyn Quarry Railway Bolster Wagons? This set of three laser-cut kits will give you sturdy wagons perfect for transporting timber or other long loads. And for that quintessential Welsh narrow gauge look, the Penrhyn Quarry Railway Slate Wagons kit provides three more wagons specifically designed for slate transport.
But what's a quarry railway without some specialized rolling stock? Peco's V Skip Side Tip Wagon kit offers three wagons with tipping bodies, perfect for depicting the loading and unloading of minerals or waste. For transporting workers to and from the quarry face, the Penrhyn Quarry Workmen's Coach kit provides an excellent representation of the spartan but practical passenger accommodation used on such lines. And to round off your train, don't forget the GVR Brakevan kit, which will add that final touch of authenticity to your narrow gauge consists.
With these kits, you'll be well on your way to creating a vibrant and realistic narrow gauge railway in NG7. Remember, the joy is in the details, so take your time and enjoy bringing these miniature marvels to life!
Modelling tips
We keep on adding modelling tips to our website. Here are a few:
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.
Events and exhibitions
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.
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Isle of Wight
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