News from your model shop - 18th October 2020
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Modellings tips and answers - Inspiration - Why use Kato track?

Hello

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

Tony Careless sent us a picture of his latest project. He explains:
"I usually scratch build or adapt kits, but I succumbed to a ready-made Oxford station building very recently as it had just the footprint and shape I needed. Given the hefty price (in my opinion) the quality of the product was most disappointing. Problems included no roof relief detail, just a smooth finish to what would be a slate roof, no chimneys at all, poor paint finish, and windows so basic they look like a recent budget double glazing installation. So, I have re-roofed it, added chimney stacks and pots, made replacement windows, and repainted the walls. I have yet to decide whether I can live with the 'doors'. Here is the rebuild so far, with a couple of lovely bicycles which I very sensibly did buy from Upstairs Downstairs." Click on the image to see it in larger size.



This week in history - On October 17th 1952 British Railways started trials of the new Automatic Warning System (AWS) that would give train drivers audible and visual warnings when passing signals.

 

 

You may have seen N gauge Kato track in your local model shop and wondered who's it for, or how it is used on a model railway. If you have not yet had the pleasure, Kato track is model railway track  that is permanently attached to a moulded plastic base that resembles ballast, the ballast is not realistic enough for prototypical layouts but at the same time, is overkill for a train-set. This brings us back to the original question, who's it for?

Kato is a Japanese company, in Japan they love their model railways almost as much as us British, but in Japan, they simply don't have the space that we do, resulting in a lot of layouts being packed away between running sessions. This is exactly the market that Kato N gauge track is designed for. Whether it be in Japan or elsewhere in the world, the track can be reliably and sturdily clicked together and taken apart as needed without the rail joiners getting tired or electrical continuity ever being lost.

This makes it very useful for occasional layouts in this country too, particularly amongst the growing number of model-rail enthusiasts that have occasional little visitors such as grandchildren and require something quick, reliable and easy to erect and play with. But don't be mistaken into thinking that your click-together layout will have the limited play value of an oval with a siding (such as most starter sets), Kato track is available with most types and radius points and curves that range right up to radius seven! and that's not all, Kato points come motorised with plug and play wires that simply plug into a switch, the switch then clips directly onto the side of the controller, no fuss, no hassle and no reliability problems, great!

The best way to get started in N gauge is with a basic oval set including a controller, then add some points and extension kits as required to really make your layout your own.



 

 

 

Of course, N gauge tracks are not much fun without some trains to run on them. You may want to consider some entry-level engines or coaches such as a pannier tank or coach-pack to get your weekend layout rolling, alternatively you might want something more specific like a class 66 diesel or a 38xx steam engine. Whatever your fancy there are models to suit every taste and budget, so even if you haven't got the space for a full time layout, you can still have some fun at the weekends!



 
We keep on adding modelling tips to our website. Here are the latest ones:
 
 
You can also access all the articles by visiting this page or simply click the link called "tips" on our website.

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. We are closed only on Monday and Sunday.

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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