Modellings tips and answers - Inspiration - Modelling in OO9 for novices and experienced modellers
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Don't forget to read our latest modelling tips located at the bottom of the newsletter.
Bob Wildeman sent us a few more pictures of the N gauge layout he did during the previous lockdown. Click on the pictures to see them in full size.
This month in history - In November 1970, The Norwegian State Railway completes electrification work on the Dovre Line between Oslo and Trondheim and subsequently withdraws its final steam locomotives.
If you are looking for a model railway project that's a little bit different, doesn't take much space, can get away with sharp curves and allows you to release your creativity, then you may want to consider 00-9 gauge. 00-9 gauge is a narrow-gauge railway modelled in 1:76 scale (00 gauge) so your buildings, roads, vehicles and people etc are all 00 gauge but the trains and track are much smaller, just as they would be on a real narrow-gauge railway.
The track used for a 00-9 gauge railway is the same size as N gauge track, but the sleeper spacing is further apart to mirror the prototype. You can even take things one step further and use purpose-built track with irregular sleepers to emulate a private industrial narrow-gauge railway, where a make-do with minimum expenditure approach would have been adopted when laying the tracks.
The beauty of 00-9 gauge is that anything goes. You could model an industrial scene such as a brewery or quarry for example as part of an existing 00 gauge layout, or why not a whole layout constructed from 00-9 by modelling the Welsh Highlands or Lynton and Barnstaple railways, both of which have ready-to-run and kit models portraying them. You can even get conversion kits for more ambitious modellers to mount on a donor chassis. The choice is as much yours at it is endless.
The track used for a 00-9 gauge railway is the same size as N gauge track, but the sleeper spacing is further apart to mirror the prototype. You can even take things one step further and use purpose-built track with irregular sleepers to emulate a private industrial narrow-gauge railway, where a make-do with minimum expenditure approach would have been adopted when laying the tracks.
The beauty of 00-9 gauge is that anything goes. You could model an industrial scene such as a brewery or quarry for example as part of an existing 00 gauge layout, or why not a whole layout constructed from 00-9 by modelling the Welsh Highlands or Lynton and Barnstaple railways, both of which have ready-to-run and kit models portraying them. You can even get conversion kits for more ambitious modellers to mount on a donor chassis. The choice is as much yours at it is endless.
Whilst many modellers that are considering tackling a 00-9 layout are likely to be experienced, a little advice is always welcome. Peco's "Modelling Narrow Gauge Railways" is a great publication for those looking to recreate a railway accurately and looks closely at all aspects of modelling narrow-gauge in the UK and overseas. Alternatively, you could just let your imagination run free and model a generic tourist attraction. This would give you the freedom to mix old and new, a narrow-gauge steam-railway with neatly kept gardens, pristine footbridges, waiting rooms and rolling stock. Simply add some tourists and their tour bus in the car park and you could have a very convincing layout where you can include whatever you want! A good example of the kind of station building that would look at home on a tourist narrow-gauge railway is Bachmann's portrayal of the Bluebell waiting room, after all, it is a tourist attraction, just don't forget to make your platforms a little lower for the 00-9 trains!
We keep on adding modelling tips to our website. Here are the latest ones:
- What is a Commonwealth bogie?
- How do I clean super glue (cyanoacrylate)?
- What are the Big Four in railways?
- What is a rotary switch?
- What is the Whyte notation for steam locomotives?
- How do I clean brushes used with acrylic paint?
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.
While Upstairs Downstairs is usually open Tuesday to Saturday 10am till 4.30pm, during lockdown, the shop is available for collection only, please call for details. Obviously, orders placed on our website are dispatched as usual regardless of the lockdown status.Upstairs Downstairs
3 Pier Street
Sandown, PO36 8JR
Isle of Wight
Tel: 01983 406 616
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