Modellings tips and answers - what's in the box? - cleaning modelling tools - Gn15 the different scale
Hello
Don't forget to read our latest modelling tips located at the bottom of the newsletter.
Share your experience
Over the last year we have featured some fantastic layouts big and small that have been created by our readers and shared with the modelling community through our newsletter. We really appreciate the part you have played in bringing inspiration to modellers everywhere and would love to see more. If you would like to see your modelling creations in our newsletter then please contact us and we will be proud to share pictures of your handy work.
What's inside the box?We have all been there: we look at a nice box on a shelf in a model shop and wonder how complex the kit is or we see a great lifestyle image for a scenery set but cannot work out what we really get. Is it already built? Does it come painted? How big is it?
Because we share your views, we have decided to remedy the problem and have started opening boxes for you and filming their content. The result is a new Youtube Channel which shows exactly what you get. Here are the first few. If you like them please do subscribe to the channel to receive notification of the new videos before everyone else! These videos are not restricted so you can share them on your own website or blog.
This week in history
On the 28th of May 1955, ASLEF (the train's drivers union) calls a rail
strike that was to last for 17 days and resulted in a national state of
emergency being declared.
Operation 'CLEAN UP'
Sometimes modellers seem to spend more time cleaning than playing with (operating) their layouts, whether it be rolling stock maintenance, track cleaning or simply trying to keep the job tidy during a build session there are many specialised tools you can use to help with the seemingly endless task of cleaning. One of the best tools that you'll never know how you did without is called a fibre pencil, these simple but effective pen-like tools have a glass fibre core that's ideal for cleaning wheels, turnouts, commutators or any other metal surface that now and then needs a bit of TLC.
If it's your soldering that at times gets a bit messy then try having a desoldering pump to hand. We all make the odd soldering mistake and remelting the solder is easy enough, but, a desoldering pump will suck the unwanted blob clean away from your work leaving it ready for the second attempt. Other tools that can be a valuable asset when cleaning or modelling neatly include a good pair of tweezers for retrieving bits of fluff, ballast or wayward small motor parts from difficult to reach places, a pair of cutters and a file for removing and cleaning up burs and a sharp craft knife to trim any unwanted flash from model kits. We can even attach tools to ourselves, if you wear glasses while modelling but still struggle to see close up work, try attaching a 'Spectacle Mag' to them to truly focus on the job at hand.
Although tools can't do the cleaning for us, they can help us to do it right!
Although tools can't do the cleaning for us, they can help us to do it right!
The interesting world of Gn15 scale
If you have never heard of Gn15 scale, it is the running of G scale size trains on 00 gauge track! no, it's not April the 1st, this is an actual thing. Gn15 scale is not for the faint-hearted with most of the layout having to be scratch built and the locomotives comprising a body kit that requires a donor chassis and motor, but modelling in this gauge is a lot of fun for someone up for the challenge and provides many modellers with a place to go once they've been there and got the T-shirt.
Gn15 scale represents the narrowest gauge possible in relation to the size of locomotive and as you can imagine, this leaves prototype railways in thin supply, but, far from being a problem, this is celebrated with modellers free to express their creative side rather than worrying about whether they have gotten every little detail correct.
Evidence of this can be seen in some of the coach and locomotive kits available, although there are kits you can buy portraying more usual industrial narrow gauge stock, there is a reasonably sized following of modellers interested in models that take unusual to the next level and in some cases beyond. Take a look at some of these weird and wonderful creations from the beautifully ridiculous Oysterbeach coach and Hector steam locomotive to zany wagons such as the Stump Island Hopper or the Blackgang smugglers brandy barrel wagon.
If something different isn't different enough, try Gn15 scale!
Gn15 scale represents the narrowest gauge possible in relation to the size of locomotive and as you can imagine, this leaves prototype railways in thin supply, but, far from being a problem, this is celebrated with modellers free to express their creative side rather than worrying about whether they have gotten every little detail correct.
Evidence of this can be seen in some of the coach and locomotive kits available, although there are kits you can buy portraying more usual industrial narrow gauge stock, there is a reasonably sized following of modellers interested in models that take unusual to the next level and in some cases beyond. Take a look at some of these weird and wonderful creations from the beautifully ridiculous Oysterbeach coach and Hector steam locomotive to zany wagons such as the Stump Island Hopper or the Blackgang smugglers brandy barrel wagon.
If something different isn't different enough, try Gn15 scale!
We keep on adding modelling tips to our website. Here are the latest ones:
- What should I set the pressure to on my airbrush?
- What is the difference between an up and down line?
- Can you get figures for pre-grouping era 2 (1875-1922) layouts?
- Why do some N gauge tracks have irregularly spaced sleepers?
- Do plastic model plane kits come with plinths?
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.
Upstairs Downstairs is usually open Tuesday to Saturday 10am till 4.30pm. However during lockdown, we are open for collection only. Please call us if you are on the Isle of Wight and want to collect an order. If you are further afield, simply place your order on our website as usual as we are still dispatching daily.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
If for some reason you do not want to receive this newsletter anymore, click this link to unsubscribe