News from your model shop - 20th September 2020

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

Paul Mannering sent us the following pictures. He explained:

"I've just come back to modelling and discovered DCC. I made a track for my eldest son some 25 years ago but of course, that was analogue. So basically I've started from scratch again! Have fitted lighting into coaches and brake vans. That's a Restaurant Coach. Tableware was a challenge to paint and fit. All locos have sound. I installed all of that. Just enjoying the challenges and loving designing and building. I was an engineer by profession so that probably helped." To read more information, see the pictures in full size and get one more picture, simply click on the images.

This week in history - On the 24th of September 1975, the last commercial steam-hauled train operated in France. It was hauled by Scottish-built ex-État 140C number 287 on hire to CFTA (Chemins de fer et transport automobile). The train operated from its depot at Gray, Haute-Saône, to Sainte-Colombe.



From steam to stampedes as this week we look at some of the weird and wonderful exotic animals that modellers have been known to include on their layouts, but what on earth would possess serious modellers to suddenly add an elephant or two to their sleepy branch-lines!

The use of exotic animals on model railways is more common than you may think. Admittedly, the first diorama that comes to mind is some sort of African safari depiction and a whole layout dedicated to the railways of Africa, but no, the answer is much simpler than that. Modellers are always looking to find ways for their layouts to have a unique appeal and stand out as being novel or different in some way from the average layout. This desire has undoubtedly led to some smile-inspiring cameo scenes being modelled over the years, but also some quite credible ones too such as a circus visiting town. This scenario definitely adds a rare interest to the layout and gives the viewer's eyes something completely different to feast upon between train movements. There are even some exhibition layouts that have taken the circus concept to the next level by adding moving Ferris wheels, lit circus tents, a multitude of peculiar vehicles and of course some exotic animals, great for filling space in a visually exciting way!

Whilst some modellers have managed to find an excuse to include the entire inhabitants of London Zoo onto their layouts (another great idea - zoo!) others are happy to simply add a solitary peacock or pheasant to a countryside scene in a desire to capture the true essence of the great British countryside which is so much more than just cows, pigs and sheep!

Another way modellers like to use exotic animals on a layout is to exhibit them in the age-old tradition of the humorous cameo scene. Some like to quietly place something completely out of theme on their layout and let the viewer discover the joke for themselves whilst others will create a little game of it by placing numerous items around the layout and prompting spectators to find, for example, ten elephants and a rhinoceros! The limitations for a little bit of fun on a layout only runs as deep as the imagination, why not try a zebra crossing (literally) and see if anyone gets the joke.

Whilst it's all well and good thinking of ideas to bring a smile to our face and not take ourselves too seriously, the question must be asked if these models are even available, and the answer is, yes absolutely! Below are some examples of exotic animals for 00 gauge layouts including giraffes, bears, a zebra, a camel, tigers and some monkeys. You could use them with serious intent to create a zoo, wildlife park or circus scene, alternatively, you may wish to use them for a little bit of railway fun!

 

 

If however, you are looking for something that's different, but blends in a little more than an all singing all dancing circus, then it's still worthwhile looking to animals for help to create a touch of interest. Below you will see some examples of animals that wouldn't immediately spring to mind for a railway layout, but you would see in real life either in the countryside, on an estate or in a beach scene such as peacocks, turkeys, donkeys, a stag or reindeer. Take particular note of the figure sets that have a little cameo scene included such as the "fox stealing a goose" set which comes complete with the figures, a hut, compound and fencing, or the "wildlife standoff" set, although this pack doesn't contain any buildings, the animals are all staged to create a particular cameo.

 

 

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