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Modellings tips and answers - Inspiration - Modelling a canal - Videos

Hello

Unfortunately, the Wight Model Railway Group has had to cancel its open day which was due to take place on Saturday 27th November. They hope to be able to stage another event in the coming months.

Most pictures in this newsletter can be clicked on to provide more information.

Don't forget to read our latest modelling tips and unboxing videos located at the bottom of the newsletter!

This week in history

On the 24th of November 1912, one of Pennsylvania Railroad's nine special long distance trains was given the name 'The Broadway Limited' in honour of the 4-track broad-way line on which it travelled. The journey took approximately 20 hours to complete and the service was so named right up until 1995 when it was discontinued by Amtrak.

Tool of the week

This week's tool of the week is a non-shrinking, easy to sand and lightweight filling material that has the same characteristics as foam when set. It can be carved and sculpted when cured if needed. It is called Foam Putty from Woodland Scenics.

Modelling the cut

Modelling the cut (or canal for all you land-lovers) is not as difficult as you may think. After all, the canals were created for the same reasons as the railways, just a little earlier. So it stands to reason that much of the scenery and infrastructure on a canal will be the same as a railway's and that pretty much makes you all canal experts by default, but if you are still not convinced, here are a few tips to get you started.

Modelling the water is undoubtedly the biggest difference you are going to face, but if you are skilled enough to ballast track, you will be able to handle model water (deep pour water) with no problem. For modellers who have never used model water before, the River and Waterfalls learning kit by Woodland Scenics is a great way to get you started and is suitable for all gauges.

Once you have conquered any fears of water, the rest will be a little more familiar, involving the installation of retaining walls, bridges and embankments just like on a railway. And as for which models to use, don't worry, there are plenty of choices out there in OO gauge. For example, to create the metal pilings often seen by the side of a canal, Auhagen's HO/OO gauge corrugated plastic sheets are a good place to start. A canal bridge can be easily modelled using a Wills Kit and an industrial scene can be achieved using dedicated walling or a Langley wharf-side crane. If you want an even bigger industrial scene, why not install a Metcalfe warehouse by the side of your cut?

Other features you can model to make your canal convincing and interesting include a lock or lift bridge. Craftline produces models of both of these, but you will have to create your own retaining walls to support the models. Real lock walls are made from many different materials but Vollmer's weathered stone wall card sheets will provide excellent effects.

Another commonly found feature on canals is a refuse and Elsan point. This is where canal boat owners get rid of their rubbish, empty their cassette toilets and refill their boats with water. Such a facility can be modelled using Wills' Public Toilets kit and Noch's Bins and Waste Containers set.

Finally, you will almost certainly want at least one canal boat in your diorama. Craftline produces a large range of boats to suit most tastes and requirements. They come as wooden kits that require some basic wood shaping, assembly and painting, but the finished effects are excellent. The one we have chosen to feature is a 54ft holiday hire narrow boat belonging to the Black Prince Holiday company.

Whichever aspect of the canal you choose to focus on, there are plenty of models to help you achieve a convincing scene.

Modelling tips

We keep on adding modelling tips to our website. Here are the latest ones:

You can read all the articles sorted by categories or from the most recent published one on our website.

Unboxing videos

You want to know what is inside the boxes of modelling products? We open them for you! Subscribe to our YouTube channel to be notified before everyone else or simply click on this selection. Please note that videos are at the bottom of each page.

You can access all the unboxing videos by visiting this page or simply click on the link called "videos" on our websit e.

Do you need to order?

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. Obviously, our website is open 24h a day and we can post to most locations, including Europe, USA and Australia.

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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