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

Please note that the shop is currently closed due to the virus. We are open for pre-booked collection only. Simply place your order on the website or by phone. Obviously we are still posting parcels to anywhere.

George Skinner sent us these picture. He says "thought you'd like to know what I did with my last purchase from you. bearing in mind that the section has to lift out, the original bits were too pliable, so sticking them onto short pieces of metal (cut off hair grips) then sticking them a quarter of an inch into the baseboard with UHU glue." Click on the pictures to see them in full size and access a video of George's layout.

This week in history - In 1965 the 24 hour clock was introduced to all British Railway timetables and in 1976 Amtrak commenced operation of its Palmetto train, an 829 mile route from New York to Savannah in Georgia and so named after the state tree of South Carolina which it past through en-route.

Now maybe you do not want to model South Carolina, but trees are a feature of most locations.

Deciding which trees to use on your layout is often quite exhausting because there are simply so many to choose from. The best way to approach your decision, is to study the area that your layout is set, look at plenty of pictures on the internet or in books to see what grows where. Also consider what time of year you would like your layout to portray.

Once you have done all that, you will likely be on the search for particular types of trees. Gaugemaster have recognised this and have a beautiful range of specific trees to help you on your way: plum trees both in and out of blossom, beeches, weeping willows, fruit trees, poplars, pines, birches and apple trees with apples.

The trees are all between 3 and 4 inches so sit nicely with N or 00 gauge as established or young trees respectively. 

If you prefer to make your own trees and bushes, there are numerous scatters available for thinner layers whilst thicker ones have historically been made up using lichen which all create amazing effects when done right.

One product that not only looks great but is very easy to use is called clump foliage from Woodland Scenics. Clump foliage is a very effective way to give bulk to your hedges and bushes, it can be easily clipped and shaped to form varying formations and as you will see from our pictures come in different shades to create numerous effects. If you want to make trees using foliage then you can.

There are also some fantastic kits available that come complete with the foliage and the trees armatures. You simply add as little or much foliage as you wish creating a truly unique model. These kits also from Woodland Scenics that will enable you to make very convincing pines and deciduous trees.