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Modellings tips and answers - Adding lights to a layout

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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

What better way to wake up on a Sunday morning than a bit of James Brown? This version of Night Train was recorded in 1964 with an audience consisting mostly of students who had been given free tickets. Is it a song? Is it an instrumental? Is it a dance routine? We don’t really know, but it’s brilliant and the energy is infectious! Click on the picture to watch the video:

This week in history

In February 1949, General Motors' Electro-Motive Division introduced the EMD F7 Diesel locomotive.

Picks of the week

Starting with the smaller end of things in TT gauge, you might be interested in a set of three Tri-ang coaches in green livery. If you're building up a rake of TT gauge stock, these unboxed coaches represent a tidy way to add some vintage charm to your collection. Staying with TT gauge, there's also a set of three Tri-ang tankers. What's particularly nice about this set is that all three come in their original boxes in good age-related condition, with one even retaining its coupling protectors. The wagons themselves are in excellent condition, making them ideal for anyone wanting to recreate that classic Tri-ang TT era.

Moving up to OO gauge, the Bachmann Class K3 is a particular gem. This mixed-traffic locomotive, nicknamed a "Jazzer" by enthusiasts due to its distinctive exhaust beat, comes DCC ready and is in excellent condition with no marks or scuffs. If diesel traction is more your cup of tea, the Hornby Class 47 in Virgin red livery is worth a serious look. This model is in really good condition with new traction tyres and additional weight added for improved performance. For modern-era freight operations in OO gauge, the Bachmann Class 66/9 is a superb choice. This workhorse of the modern railway network is in excellent condition with an aftermarket DCC chip fitted with all directional lighting working properly.

Finally, if you model in HO gauge, there's a rather special six-piece Roco goods wagon set representing the "Gotthardbahn" in SBB livery. This comprehensive set includes a "Sputnik" caboose, gondola E, boxcar Gbs, boxcar K3, stanchion wagon Ks and a "TOTAL" tank wagon Zs. What makes this set particularly appealing is its excellent condition: it looks virtually unused and is complete in every respect. It's an ideal way to build up a Continental freight consist in one go, giving you instant operational variety on your European-themed layout.

Whether you're modelling in TT, OO, or HO gauge, these pre-owned items demonstrate that second-hand doesn't mean second-rate. Each has been carefully assessed and, where applicable, serviced and tested to ensure you're getting a quality model that's ready to join your collection. You can see our full range of second hand items by clicking here.

Easy lights on your layout

There has never been a better time to be a modeller, as models get more and more sophisticated it is becoming easier to create dioramas with unprecedented realism.

The light capsules measure just 1cm square so are easily hidden and run from a power supply of 9-16v making them compatible with controllers or batteries. Simply connect the capsules to the power, stick it in place using the self adhesive pad and the job is done. They can be used with any gauge. Click on the pictures to access videos of each capsule.

For those that desire the realism of today's layouts without the hi-tech, you can't beat adding figures to your layout to add interest and situation to your diorama, but here's the good news, figures have come a long way too, and gone are the days of a generic man standing on a platform.

Preiser, Faller, Woodland Scenics and Busch all create fantastic figures and accessories in HO/OO gauge portraying situations we probably wouldn't have thought of adding to our layouts if left to our own devices, such as figures specifically designed for garden centres, supermarkets, school playgrounds, factories, churches and everyday street scenes, and that's just the tip of the iceberg there a thousands of figures to choose from and the best bit is they all come ready painted!

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, 2026 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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