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Modellings tips and answers - Modelling a station in N gauge - Videos

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

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This week in history

On Tuesday 9th October 1984, ITV launches the first episode of a new children's television series entitled 'Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends'. The series is an immediate hit and will run for the next thirty-seven years and over 580 episodes spanning 24 series and a number of film spin-offs. Based on the 'Railway Series' of books by Reverend Wilbert Vere Awdry, each episode follows the ongoing adventures of Thomas, a cheerful blue steam locomotive and his chums Edward, Henry, Gordon, James, Toby and Percy. All of whom work for Sir Topham Hatt, better known as the Fat Controller on the fictional Northwestern Railway. One of the most successful Children's television series in history, Thomas the Tank engine went on to become a worldwide success and at varying times has been narrated by Ringo Starr, Alec Baldwin and Pierce Brosnan.

Tool for thought

This week's tool for thought is the Expotools Helping Hands with Glass Magnifier. This is a compact, multi-function tool that is ideally configured to help the modeller undertake a number of different tasks, such as painting and parts assembly. The tool has three separate and complementary functions specifically designed to free up a modeller's hands and let the tool take the weight. Atop the tool is a 60mm glass magnifier, whilst to either side, there are a pair of spring-loaded clamps. Both clamps have interlocking, tooth-lined jaws for holding items securely in place. All of the functions are mounted on a horizontal metal spar by a series of ball and socket joints, which allow great flexibility in positioning individual elements as required. The tool is mounted on a solid, weighted metal base that confers good stability and allows the tool to be mobile.

At the N gauge platform

One advantage of modelling in N gauge is the focus it encourages on the world immediately beyond the railway boundaries. But that's not to say modellers don't also appreciate details within them too, and a suitably dressed platform is often just as important as it would be if modelling in a larger scale.

Figures inevitably play a large part in platform detailing. These can be fiddly to paint on account of their small size, but the good news is there are plenty of ready-painted options available. Preiser and Noch are a good place to start your search as their figure sets exhibit crisp decoration and both have a large range to choose from.

Platform figures come in many guises, including walking or seated travelling public sets, cameo sets incorporating props such as departure boards or bus stops, sets with a specific activity taking place and even mega packs to populate public areas all in one go.

N gauge platform accessories are not limited to figures either. If you're looking for inspiration, why not add a platform kiosk, some benches, an underpass, platform lamps, fencing or some vending machines?

Whatever type of station you have on your N gauge layout, it can easily be turned into a bustling travel hub using a variety of models to enhance your scene.

Modelling tips

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

Or re-discover these slightly older 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.

Events and exhibitions

Find all the latest events and exhibitions for the model railway world, on the UK Model Shop Events directory. Hopefully, 2022 will give us plenty of opportunities to attend events all over the country.

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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