Developing an idea or a theme for a model railway is often the hardest part of getting a layout started. We all know that a railway should have stations, engine sheds, sidings and a goods yard. Most stations will be in some sort of town and have shops, roads, pubs and a church and in between all of this, there is usually countryside of some description whether it be farmland, forests, hills or mountains. But beyond this absolute knowledge, a new modeller can sometimes be left scratching their heads trying to imagine scenarios to model that will distinguish their layout from any other.

The Germans are particularly good at modelling scenes outside of the usual station and small-town scenario. They seem quite willing to give up baseboard space to model scenes such as a builders merchant, construction site or logging station etc. Their efforts really pay off too, and the scenes they create beyond the railway's boundaries go a long way towards adding realism to the railway itself!

Here are some great ideas for unusual scenes that you could try modelling to create uniqueness and add interest to your layout. Why not try a recycling centre (or tip as most of us still refer to it as) a timber merchant, building site or add a crane to a construction project to make it a focal point?

Below are some H0/00 gauge plastic kits by Kibri, Auhagen and Gaugemaster that can be used to create such scenes.

   

      

Once you have decided on a scene, don't forget to add figures to bring it to life. Here are some inspiring H0/00 gauge people by Woodland Scenics including some workers with a forklift, masonry workers, surveyors, roofers, city workers and a carpenter's crew.

         

     

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

• What is a micromesh polishing cloth?
• What is point rodding in model railways?
• What size nozzle should I use on my airbrush?
• What are clip-on spectacle mags?
• What's the difference between a bus and a coach?

You can read all the articles sorted by categories or from the most recent published one on our website.

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.

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

If for some reason you do not want to receive this newsletter anymore, click this link to unsubscribe