News from your model shop - 7th May 2023

Hello

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

If you are on the Isle of Wight next weekend (13th and 14th of May), you probably want to visit the Steam Railway in Havenstreet as a model railway exhibition will take place there. The event if on both Saturday and Sunday and will feature more than 15 layouts in all gauges (OO, Em, N, HOm, TT, OO9...) as well as a few traders. You can choose between a standard ticket including a train ride or limited tickets giving you access to the exhibition only.

Full details are on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway website.

One very important aspect of train operations in the era of steam was the use of coal.  This important material  and its regular supply was integral to the operation of not just the railways but also the Maritime Industry and the very engines that drove the machinery of industry.  Let's talk about coal, including the management and supply of this vital commodity to the railways.

Some layouts may choose to have coal in ready-to-use deposits and as such one of the ideal means to achieve this is to use a coal-based scatter.  Javis are just one of a number of manufacturers who produce coal-based scatter.  One distinct advantage of this product is that it is not gauge-specific, additionally, it can also be applied to wagons as a load and easily secured in place with PVA adhesive.  Cameo elements can also be used to add appropriate figure sets to a scene such as the Coalmen and Scales by P&D Marsh and the Coalman and Coal by Langley, both available in OO/HO Gauge.



Inevitably, the supply and utilisation of coal required a considerable amount of supporting infrastructure.  This infrastructure can be readily integrated into a layout, either by becoming a major theme or in a supporting role.  For those modelling in OO/HO Gauge, there is a significant number of infrastructure options, both large and small.  The Large Coaling Station by Kibri would be a very significant visual focal point for any layout and would lend itself well to any number of layout themes.  Similarly, the Large Coaling Store by Vollmer is a practical and impressive addition to a large range of scenarios.  For those looking to develop things on a smaller scale, the Small Coaling Stage by Auhagen could be a very useful addition to a layout.



One advantage of coal-based infrastructure is that many items can be used just as readily to support a number of other bulk-related materials such as grain or aggregates.  A good example of this is the Coal Bunkers kit by Faller.  Although this kit comes supplied with a bag of coal, it could easily be used in a wide range of other activities, such as a port or a builder's yard.  For those looking to develop a harbour or canal theme, then the Coal Boat balsa-based kit by Craftline could be an ideal accompaniment.  For those looking to fill empty wagons, there are a number of options including the use of scatter as previously mentioned.  An alternative could be to procure a resin part for this purpose, such as the example seen here, produced by Harburn Hamlet.



There also exists a significant amount of options for N Gauge modellers.  The Coalmen and Scales by P & D Marsh and the Horse-drawn Coal Cart by Langley would be interesting cameo sets to integrate into a layout and could work well in combination with other items in developing layout scene elements, such as the Coal Staithes by Ratio.



Kits of Industrial infrastructure are not only useful additions to a layout but they can also be interesting items in and of themselves.  The Locomotive Coaling Tower by Ratio, is an example of these kits which are not only useful in developing scene elements but can also make interesting individual items for study.  Visual interest in a layout can be further developed by other practical and relevant items such as the Coal Depot and Coal/Builder's Merchants, also by Ratio.  These two latter items are likely to be found in close proximity to the railway for ease of transportation.



Coal is such a ubiquitous and integral commodity when viewed in conjunction with the history of the railways that it almost becomes invisible.  Yet this humble material is still very dependent on a number of industries and specialised infrastructure in order to play its part.  That being the case, it is interesting to reflect on the sheer scale and effort required in order to provide coal to where it is actually needed.  Some of the scale involved is readily reflected in the items discussed in this week's newsletter.  What better way to reflect the important contributions of these industries than by incorporating coal-related scene elements in your next layout?

• Which is the best building kit for the beginner model to start with, plastic or card?
• For a beginner, what are the easiest ways to weather locomotives and wagons?
• Is it realistic to mix passenger and goods wagons on the same train?
• What is meant by the term fiddle yard?
• What is the best way to run in a new model railway locomotive?

• What are the Big Four in railways?
• What is the best way to cut photo etch parts from a fret?
• What is a train reporting number?
• What are the differences between thin and thick Cyanoacrylate glues?
• When choosing a DCC decoder, how important is the amp rating?

• Victrix VXA001 Athenian Armoured Hoplites 28mm scale
• Wills Kits SS16 Weighbridge & Hut OO/HO Gauge
• Ratio 237 Lineside Huts N Gauge

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