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Modellings tips and answers - Modelling a village

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This week in history

On the 17th of August 1903, the Great Western Railway commenced operation of a bus service between Helston and The Lizard, Cornwall. The service is reported to be the first bus service operated by a railway company in the country.

Picks of the week

Let's start our journey in N gauge with a true gem. The Arnold Rheingold 5 Coach set is a sight to behold, featuring four passenger coaches and a baggage wagon, all with working lights. This set is in excellent unused condition and comes in its original box. It's perfect for those modelling continental railways or looking to add a touch of European elegance to their layout.

Stepping up to OO gauge, we have a classic British steam locomotive. The Bachmann Branchline Class 2MT Ivatt 2-6-2T is a beautifully detailed model of a mixed-traffic workhorse. Numbered 41243 and finished in BR lined black with early emblem, this loco is in "as new" condition and comes complete with accessories and paperwork. It's DCC ready, making it a great choice for those looking to upgrade their control systems. Rounding out our OO gauge offerings is a modern diesel powerhouse. The Cavalex Models Class 60 in GBRf blue & orange livery is a stunner. This model comes with DCC and sound already fitted, allowing you to enjoy the full sensory experience of a heavy freight locomotive. With its wealth of separately fitted parts and lighting options, it's a true masterpiece of model engineering.

For those of you who enjoy modelling the electric era, we have a treat in store. The Hornby BR 2-BIL "2090" NRM Special is a fantastic representation of Southern Region EMU stock. This two-car set comes DCC fitted and is in excellent condition, perfect for recreating busy commuter scenes. Finally, no collection of British outline models would be complete without an A4 Pacific, and we have a beauty for you. The Hornby Toplink A4 "Mallard" in BR Blue is a classic model that's been lovingly cared for. It's had a recent motor rebuild and is ready to stretch its legs on your mainline runs.

Village dwellings, in card!

Most modellers have a preference when it comes to building a OO gauge town or village out of either card or plastic kits. There is a good selection available for both but it's always quite surprising how many different card kits there are out there from Metcalfe and Superquick, and a very convincing village can be constructed using just card and the suitable card glue.

When it comes to village houses, a reasonable proportion (but not all) of the models available depict stone-built properties, but that's not to say that we are not spoilt for choice with options including end cottages, modernised cottages, traditional cottages, cottages with extensions, Elizabethan cottages, modern detached houses and kits with single or multiple models included.

And it doesn't stop there, there are many secondary models to enhance your housing. If you are considering modelling an accompanying garden, a card greenhouse or shed will look the part, there's card paving for the street outside, card play areas for the village green or park and backscenes to truly anchor your village in the depths of the great British countryside.

When it comes to figures, alas cardboard is not an option, however, figure-set cameo scenes should definitely be considered to bring your village to life. These are becoming increasingly popular with modellers to create little scenes of interest and realism around their towns, villages and railway stations and there are plenty depicting family life in or around a typical village street.

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
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