Hello

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

Most images in this newsletter are clickable for more details.

Feel free to send this newsletter to your friends, family and club members if you think they will benefit from it. They can subscribe for free.

Railway song of the week

"Down the Line" by José González is particularly easy to sink into, even though it isn't literally about trains. As you listen, the steady, repeating finger-picked guitar can feel a bit like the rhythm of wheels running smoothly along the rails, giving the song a sense of quiet forward motion. The lyrics talk about continuing a journey through life and uncertainty, and you may find it captures that familiar experience of sitting on a long train journey, watching the scenery pass the window while your mind wanders about where the line ahead might lead. Click on the picture to discover it:

On March the 1st 1841, the Manchester and Leeds Railway opened in its entirety linking the two great cities for the first time.

If you're modelling in OO gauge, you might be interested in this Lima Class 67 in EWS red and gold livery. What makes this one particularly appealing is the professional weathering that's been applied, giving it a realistic, work-worn appearance. Another diesel worth considering is the Heljan Class 45. Numbered D31, this 'Peak' class locomotive is in exceptional condition and features working lights. For those of you who fancy a bit of Great Western steam, there's a Hornby "Cheltenham Flyer" train pack available. This numbered limited edition set includes the Castle Class 4-6-0 "Tregenna Castle" along with three GWR coaches and it's in nearly new condition with its certificate of authentication.

If you're looking to add some freight stock to your OO gauge layout, you might want to consider this set of five Hornby Dublo 6-tonne ventilated wagons. Speaking of interesting modifications, there's a Lima railcar that's been repainted and renumbered in LMR livery. The repaint might benefit from a coat of gloss varnish, but you'd end up with a unique model in an unusual livery. Finally, for you TT gauge modellers out there, there's a rather lovely Tri-ang TT Pullman 1st Class Kitchen Coach named "Falcon" available. 

Auhagen is an award-winning German company that makes plastic kits for model railways. The company was founded in 1885 by Heinrich Auhagen, originally producing cardboard. Auhagen turned their hand to model making in 1952 when Heinrich's son (Rudolf) conceived the idea whilst building a model Christmas village. Since then the company has survived nationalisation, privatisation and floods to become a market leader across Europe. While they make some N gauge items, in this newsletter we will focus on the HO/OO gauge kits.

Auhagen specialises in model buildings and structures that can be found in and around the railway. Their station related buildings do have a distinctly continental feel to them, however, they also produce a very large variety of models that fit closer to home with models depicting a wide range of prototypes such as workshops, coaling points, cranes, fencing and town or village accessories.

Auhagen is not left behind when it comes to models used for those little finishing touches either. With very convincing portrayals of everything from shipping boxes, workshop tyres and Victorian station clocks to recycling containers, mine carts and TV aerials, no one can argue that their range is limited. So next time you're looking for a spot of inspiration, you may want to take a peek at Auhagen, they seem to have thought of almost everything!

 

• Is acrylic paint safer than enamel paint?
  
• What is a slip?
• How much scenery should you have on a layout?
• What is 1:148 scale?