News from your model shop - 22nd January 2023
sendNewsletterForm.php (GIF Image, 3 × 3 pixels)
Modellings tips and answers - Modelling in OO9 - Videos

Hello

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

Feel free to send this newsletter to your friends, family and club members if you think they will benefit from it. They can subscribe for free.


This week in history

On Tuesday 22nd January 1952, the De Havilland Comet 1, the world's first jet airliner gains its certificate of airworthiness.  The Comet entered service on 2nd May 1952 with British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC).  However, within a year of entering service, a number of aircraft were lost to accidents.  These were eventually traced to metal fatigue in the airframe.  Although the aircraft was redesigned, its commercial sales suffered somewhat and only 114 examples were built.

BOAC ceased operations with the type in 1965, although many airframes were operated successfully by Dan Air for many years to come.  The last flight by a Comet was by an RAF Comet C4, XS235 (Canopus) in March 1997.  A number of surviving Comets are preserved in museums, including 'Canopus' which is kept in ground running and taxiing condition at Bruntingthorpe in Leicestershire.




Tool for thought

This week's tool for thought is the Woodland Scenics Latex Rubber.  The idea behind theLatex Rubber solution is for modellers to create their own long-lasting moulds that can be used to create various real-world textures and surfaces which can then be imported directly into a layout creating eye-catching effects.  This approach is particularly effective in creating rocky textures such as a cliff face that may otherwise be difficult or time-consuming to create.  The added benefit is that the modeller can create their own bespoke moulds which have the benefit of being available for repeated use elsewhere on the layout or on other projects.  The solution can be easily applied with a paintbrush and dries in approximately 30 minutes.  Multiple coats can be built up easily and for added durability, a sheet of gauze can be placed between each layer adding further strength to the mould.



Modelling in OO9

OO9 Gauge is a great option for new and established modellers alike wishing to model narrow gauge layouts.  Based on a scale of 1:76 or 4mm to the foot, OO9 gauge effectively works out at 2 foot 3 inches in the real world.  Historically, there were variations in the exact size of narrow gauge railways but one of the most common variations was the 2 foot (610 mm) Gauge.  At a scale of 1:76, a 2 foot (610 mm) narrow gauge railway equates to an 8mm layout gauge.   The conundrum in modelling is that the 2 foot 3inch Gauge that 009 Gauge is based upon works out at a 9 mm layout gauge for the same scale.  This is a compromise that modellers are happy to make for two main reasons.  Firstly, 1 mm is such a small margin of difference that to all intents and purposes, it is barely noticeable.  Secondly, 9 mm is the track size that N Gauge is based upon, meaning that for OO9 Gauge modellers a steady supply of wheels, chassis and other supporting infrastructure is readily available.  Likewise, OO9 Gauge is directly compatible with OO Gauge as they both share a scale of 1:76, so buildings, scenery and other layout elements are also in plentiful supply.  So as the name suggests, OO9 Gauge is the best of both worlds, being a logical and pragmatic compromise sharing elements from both OO and N Gauges.  Many modellers have effectively summed it up as having the space savings of N Gauge with the detail of OO Gauge.

For modellers looking to develop their OO9 layouts, there is a lot of assistance readily available, such as the Introduction to OO9 Modelling Booklet published by Peco.  This 16-page guide covers a brief history of Narrow Gauge Railways in the UK, then moves onto a brief description of OO9 Gauge, followed by a look at the availability of items together with some layouts.  A logical next step might be the OO9/HOe Setrack Planbook, this 16-page guide looks at 6 layouts of varying configurations.  Some of these layouts are based on the Starter Track Set, specifically issued for OO9 Gauge by Peco.



Although OO9 Gauge shares a common 9 mm track with N Gauge there is a difference between the two when it comes to distances between the track sleepers.  Most narrow gauge railways operated on smaller budgets.  Economies were made in a number of ways, one of the most obvious being the more frugal spacing of the track sleepers.  This became a regular feature on most narrow gauge railways, which with their lower speeds and operating weights could safely run on these tracks with more generously placed sleepers.  Specific track infrastructure for OO9 is well supported by major manufacturers, as evidenced by the Double Straight ready-wired track by Peco and the Tillig Dual Gauge Points for OO and OO9.This last item is an example of multi-gauge mixing which is another advantage of OO9, in that two separate gauges sharing the same scale can be combined together.  The Narrow Gauge Buffer Stops by Peco adds a realistic OO9 theme element where surplus sleepers have been utilised to create a Buffer Stop.



There are a good number of options when it comes to OO9 Gauge locomotives, both Ready-To-Run (RTR) and kit-based solutions.  The former is a great option for those who are new to the hobby, in that it allows them to get up and running in the shortest time possible.  Typical examples of RTR Locomotives include the Quarry Hunslet 0-4-0 Tank 'Britomart' and the distinctive Ffestiniog Railway Double Fairlie, both are produced by Bachmann and are DCC compatible.  Kit-based options are also available for more experienced modellers who wish to build their own Locomotives, such as the Lynton and Barnstaple Railway  (L & BR) Baldwin 2-4-2 Tank Locomotive.  In this particular case, the kit contains photo-etch (PE) and white metal parts which can then be adapted to fit a compound chassis.



When it comes to rolling stock OO9 is well covered by the major manufacturers and also has a good range of both RTR and kit-based options.  The Slate Wagons 3 pack with slate load by Bachmann and the L & BR All Third Class Coach by Peco are good examples of readily available RTR rolling stock.  Those who enjoy kit building are well served by a number of available options including the Victorian Two Compartment Panelled 4-wheel coach which is a straightforward plastic kit including wheels but will require separately sourced couplings.



For those who have an interest in modelling Narrow Gauge, or for whom the prospect of modelling something different strongly appeals then OO9 Gauge offers great options.  With the space-saving benefits of N Gauge and the considerable advantage of OO Gauge compatibility, there is a very wide scope for those looking to take up the OO9 Gauge challenge.  Why not consider it for your next project?


Modelling tips

We keep on adding modelling tips to our website. Here are the latest ones:
Or you can re-visit 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 website.

Events and exhibitions

Find all the latest events and exhibitions for the model railway world, on the UK Model Shop Events directory. Hopefully, 2023 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

If for some reason you do not want to receive this newsletter anymore, click this link to unsubscribe