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

You may have noticed a technical issue in last week's newsletter about how to model a quarry in that some links were not working. We apologise for the error and have put a copy of the newsletter, including fully working links in the archive. Please click here or on the picture below to access it and be able to click on all the links.

Kevin Todd sent us pictures of his layout. He explains: "During the lockdown I constructed a small train layout for my 4 1/2 year old grandson Sebastian (Sebby). It is 24 inches wide by 16 inches deep and a total of 8 inches high. It is constructed using Kato track which was then ballasted. The windmill was made from a kit. I then obtained a motor to fit inside the top cover and this is powered by a 9v battery - with the switch being hidden inside the greenery at the front right with the cornfield workers. Although not made for a purist it has delivered immense fun with a Tomix Thomas the Tank locomotive and Annie & Clarabel coaches - as well as a Terrier locomotive with coal wagons. It proves what can be condensed into a small but thoroughly enjoyable layout - just for fun!!" Click on the pictures to see them in full size.

This month in history - In November 1965 British Rail operated the first commercial Merry Go Round trains taking coal from collieries to power stations across the country. Merry Go Round trains (abbreviated MGR) are trains of only one type of goods moved using hopper wagons which both load and unload while moving.

It's that time of year again when the shops and department stores are starting to dress their windows with glitzy displays adorned with neatly wrapped presents, Christmas trees and an oval of 00 gauge with a poor unsuspecting tank engine starting out on its journey to cover a million scale miles between now and Christmas day! But its not just shop windows that are treated to a little festive railway fun with many serious modellers getting in on the action too, however, if your thinking of a Christmas themed project of your own it can be difficult to know where to start.

The first thing you need to decide is how seriously you want to take the scene. There are many models available in OO gauge to help you take your scene in either direction. The most popular ways to introduce a serious festive or winter theme to your layout is with a Christmas market, ice rink or a scene where children are playing in the snow. These kind of scenes are easy enough to create using dedicated ice-skating figures, Christmas market stalls or a Christmas tree sale set and some scatter snow, but if you're looking for something a little different then why not try using some Christmas decorations to dress your lamp posts or even a sculptor hard at work creating an ice carving.

If it's a more humorous take on Christmas that you're looking for then what could be funnier than a Santa with no trousers on! Granted, this is one of the more extreme examples on the model shop shelves, but there are plenty of figures that you can use to add humour to your scene without the risk of frostbite! Why not try a pretty lady Santa, icy bicycle mishap, Santa getting flashed by a speed camera or simply suspend a Father Christmas and his sleigh above your layout?

 

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• What is a laser-cut kit?