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Hello
Thank you to George for bringing us an Easter egg. Feel free to do the same when you are coming next to the shop as we love chocolate! If you cannot bring an Easter egg, we will happily accept a chocolate bar or even a Twix!
Don't forget to read our latest modelling tips and unboxing videos loated at the bottom of the newsletter.
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This week in history
On Saturday 11th April 1953, the famous Orange Blossom Special conducted its final run from New York to Miami. This iconic passenger service was instigated in 1925 and was the brainchild of the American Railroad Executive Solomon Davies Warfield who saw the new service as an opportunity to capitalise on the Florida land boom of the 1920s. The Orange Blossom Special covered a distance of just under 1,400 miles and took approximately 24 hours in either direction. It inspired the eponymous song which was initially a tune for the fiddle and later became the title for an album by Johnny Cash. Direct pressure from rival services led to a decrease in passenger numbers in the late 1940s, culminating in the Blossom's final run in 1953.
Tool for thought
This week's tool for thought is the Ammo Workbench Organiser. This is a compact hardboard-based paint and brush organiser with a white lacquered surface. This would be an ideal tool for busy modellers who require to organise a number of items in a small space. The workbench can be assembled and disassembled quickly and easily, making it ideal for modellers on the move or for those who have to share their hobby area with other activities. The Organiser has 12 holes for paintbrushes, 21 spaces for 17ml Acrylic Paint bottles (25mm width) and 17 spaces to fit 35 & 60ml jars (35mm width). The overall dimensions are 14.5cm in depth, 9.5cm in height and 40cm in width.
On the buses
For many modellers integrating a particular environment is one of the major considerations when planning a layout. Urban environments will inevitably have a road system and populating this can be complementary to the layout. A station is an ideal integration point between the rail and road systems. Whether it be a large mainline terminus or a rural halt or a wayside station, inevitably there will be a connecting Bus Service for the passengers. Sometimes overlooked, the venerable Bus is an interesting subject, not only for railway modellers but also as a subject in its own right. A number of manufacturers have produced bus options, not only as completed diecast collectables but also in kit form. These are available in a variety of scales, most of which can be integrated into a suitable layout, or can be built as separate items. This last factor is extremely useful for modellers who wish to collect a range of buses from a variety of eras.
One of the leading manufacturers of bus kits is
Peco, which has produced a variety of kits in
OO/HO gauge, which also correlates as 1:76 scale. The
Maudslay ML3 Bus dates from 1927 and can be assembled into a very attractive kit bearing the logo of Western National. For modellers looking for a later era, then the iconic
Leyland Olympian Double-Decker is a good choice. Peco produces a number of options for this particular subject including the version pictured below, which was operated by the Blackpool Corporation in the 1980s. The
Leyland National single-decker bus, vari-kit is an interesting option for single-decker aficionados. This particular kit is supplied with a selection of decals for a variety of regional UK operators from the 1980s and 1990s including
Southern Vectis on the Isle of Wight.
Another option for either Collectors or those looking to enhance a layout are
diecast models. A number of major manufacturers are involved in the production of diecast models, this means that there is invariably always a large and diverse subject range to choose from across a number of historical eras. One of the recognised leaders in this field is
Oxford, who are a regular choice for a large number of modellers. Their
London Bus and Taxi Gift Set is a good choice for those who are looking to collect iconic vehicles in
OO/HO Gauge. For those looking for individual items, the Leyland PD2/12 A1 Service is an eye-catching piece. This particular version is supplied in the colours used by the
Ayrshire Bus Owners, an independent co-operative Bus Company based in Ardrossan. The
Leyland Royal Tiger Coach Lough Swilly is not only a superb model but is also an interesting historical piece in its own right. The parent company originally operated as both a rail and road-based passenger carrier. The rail side of operations went into liquidation in the 1950s, although their more successful bus operations continued until 2014.
Oxford offers a good selection of vehicles in 1:148 scale, which you may call
N Gauge. This makes these subjects ideal as either collector's pieces or practical additions to the scene elements of an
N Gauge layout. The
Regents RTL Bus is presented in the smart colours of 'Bartons', one of Britain's oldest independent Bus Companies which operated from 1908-1989. The
Plaxton Panorama I is a fitting testament to the Plaxton Company, a long-established vehicle builder based in Scarborough. This particular version wears the colourful paint scheme of Southdown Motor Services. An interesting variation on the theme is the
Trolleybus, operated by Nottingham City Transport up until the mid 1960s.
There are also a number of choices available for modellers looking to integrate bus-related scene elements directly into a layout. The
Bus Shelter kit by
Gaugemaster is part of their established 'Fordhampton' range of buildings and structures, specifically designed to complement the theme of a layout. This particular kit would be good a good option as a transport interchange and hub at a large station. Conversely, for those looking to model a village or rural scene then the
Bus Shelter by Wills Kits offers a solution that is both detailed and practical. Perhaps the final component to add to either of the previous options will be a selection of passengers awaiting the next service. There are a number of options to choose from in this regard, including the
Bus Stop People set by Woodlands Scenics, which offers a variety of seated adults and children awaiting their next connection. These items are all aimed at the
OO/HO modeller but similar options exist for N Gauge modellers to consider.
The subject of buses is an interesting choice for modellers for a number of reasons. They are both interesting and practical items to add to a layout and in diecast form can become the basis of a
diverse and appealing collection. The many kits available will appeal to both layout-based modellers and also offer an intriguing option for kit-based modellers who are seeking an interesting iconic and historical subject for their next project. As we have seen the bus is a versatile subject for modellers of all persuasions, when considering the choices for your next project, why not consider the options offered by the humble bus?
Modelling tips
Or re-discover these slightly older ones:
Unboxing videos
You want to know what is inside the boxes of modelling products? We open them for you!
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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, 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!
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Upstairs Downstairs
3 Pier Street
Sandown, PO36 8JR
Isle of Wight
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