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.

If shunting operations are your thing, you'll be pleased to know there are some nice diesel shunters available. The Lima Class 09 shunter comes finished in BR blue and is accompanied by four BR Railfreight wagons. This particular example has been fully serviced and tested, with all buffers intact and NEM pockets fitted. The Class 09 was essentially a Class 08 with different gearing for a higher top speed. Speaking of Class 08s, there's also a Lima Class 08 shunter available in the classic BR green livery, complete with five Shell tank wagons. For those seeking something with a bit more main line presence, the Hornby Class 37 in InterCity livery is worth serious consideration. This beauty comes DCC fitted and is accompanied by three matching InterCity coaches: an open standard, open first and brake open standard.

   

If you're a steam enthusiast, the Bachmann Class 4MT Standard is an absolute gem. Finished in BR lined green with weathering, this model is in "as new" condition and is DCC ready. To accompany your locomotives, there's a useful set of three Dapol wagons in BR grey livery available in OO gauge. This trio comprises two B16 12-ton box vans and one B110 12-ton ventilated van. For something completely different, there's a collection of four static display models in TT gauge featuring Continental trains. This interesting quartet includes a Henschel Wegmann 4-6-4, a Shay locomotive, an ÖBB 214 Class, and a Württemberg K Class. They are all mounted on display plinths and supplied in their polystyrene packaging. These would make splendid display pieces for the collector interested in European railway history.

   

 

Right then, let's talk about getting properly set up for your modelling projects, shall we? Whether you're building railway structures, military vehicles or something a bit more prehistoric, having the right tools makes all the difference between a frustrating experience and an enjoyable one. If you're just starting out or looking to refresh your toolkit, Peco's specially selected range offers everything you need. Their Kit Builder's Tool Set is an all-in-one solution that includes sprue cutters, fine tweezers, a snap-off knife with spare blades, needle files, brushes, a cutting mat, steel rule and even a helpful guide on kit construction for beginners. For those who prefer to build their toolkit piece by piece, the Plastic Sprue Cutter is absolutely essential for cleanly removing parts from plastic sprues without damaging them, whilst the Snipe Nose Pliers are specifically designed for handling those fiddly small and delicate parts that seem determined to ping across the room when you least expect it.

Now, once you've got your basic cutting and gripping tools sorted, you'll want to add a few more essentials to your workbench. The Steel Rule (150mm/6in) from Peco is a solid, durable tool that's perfect for measuring and cutting straight lines – far better than that wonky plastic ruler you've been making do with! You'll also find the Fine Tweezers invaluable for placing tiny parts exactly where you want them, particularly when working with decals or photo-etched details. And don't even think about working without the A4 Cutting Mat – this self-healing mat will protect your table from knife cuts and provide a proper working surface. Trust me, your other half will thank you for not carving grooves into the dining table!

   

Right, tools sorted – now let's have some fun! If you fancy a change from the usual railway buildings or military subjects, Tamiya's 1:35 scale dinosaur range offers something brilliantly different. The Chasmosaurus Diorama kit recreates this herbivorous dinosaur that roamed North America during the Cretaceous period, complete with both adult and young specimens, a diorama base and even a human figure for scale comparison. The Velociraptors set gives you six of these small carnivorous dinosaurs with various parts allowing different poses for each one, perfect for creating a dynamic hunting scene. For those wanting to populate a larger prehistoric landscape, the Mesozoic Creatures set includes a variety of smaller dinosaurs such as adolescent Parasaurolophus and Tyrannosaurus, plus Oviraptor, Hypsilophodon, a crocodile and even an ancestor to today's birds.

   

For those of you who prefer the real stars of the Mesozoic Era, Tamiya also offers individual kits of the most iconic dinosaurs. The Triceratops Eurycephalus kit captures this famous three-horned herbivore in all its glory, whilst the Stegosaurus Stenops brings to life that distinctive plated dinosaur with the spiked tail. And of course, no prehistoric collection would be complete without the king himself – the Tyrannosaurus Rex kit depicts the most fearsome predator of its age. All three kits feature streamlined assembly with limited parts, making them ideal projects for modellers of all skill levels, and they're just crying out for an interesting paint scheme once you've got them built.

   

Whether you're equipping your workshop or embarking on a journey back to the age of dinosaurs, these products show that scale modelling is about far more than just trains – though we do love our trains! The key is having the right tools for the job and choosing projects that spark your imagination.

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

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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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