News from your model shop - 16th July 2023

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After the construction and configuration of the track, one of the largest concerns for any layout will be the development of various theme elements.  For instance, is the layout to be rural or urban in nature and how will that affect the landscape and any structures to be included.  Inevitably, many modellers will visit their local hobby shop, peruse the internet or view articles on other layouts to seek inspiration.  For those looking to develop suitable scene elements in OO gauge then a good place to start may well be the Fordhampton range of kits by Gaugemaster.  The Fordhampton range is a diverse selection of plastic kits that are specifically designed to be integrated into a layout.  The premise of the range is based on the fictional town of Fordhampton on the rolling South Downs and as such the range covers all the major infrastructure that is likely to be present in a country town and its immediate environs. 

The advantage of a hypothetical concept like Fordhampton is that it is subjective and eminently scaleable, i.e., as the place doesn't actually exist, it can be as big or as small as a modeller wants it to be.  We will work on the principle of a small rural town as inevitably these have to have a high degree of self-reliance and most infrastructure is likely to be on a modest scale.  Our return to Fordhampton will be by train so our point of arrival will be the Station, which is a compact but appealing-looking red brick building.  Access to the opposite platform is via an elegant covered Footbridge that is contemporary with the station building.  Adjacent to the Station are the Railway Loading Docks which help support the local freight and livestock industries on which the town depends.



The Station is located on the edge of town but is still within close proximity to the centre of the busy Market Town of Fordhampton.  Also readily adjacent to the Station is a small Retail Park where some of the essential elements that support a rural population are located, such as a compact but nonetheless well-provisioned Aldi Supermarket.  The Retail Park is located just off a busy dual carriageway and as such is an ideal location for the ever-busy Fordhampton Service Station.  Nestled as it is under a range of low hills on the South Downs, the surrounding landscape is an ideal location for Wind Turbines and the town has benefitted by providing a number of small but valuable support industries.  The Wind Turbine kit shown here is fully motorised and comes with two build options.



Beyond the Retail Park, a number of footpaths and bridleways wind their slow and lazy way up onto the South Downs.  A number of these paths cross through the Country Park just north of town.  At the edge of the park is a recreational area which includes a woodland-themed Play Park for children of all ages!  Also within the boundaries of the Country Park are a number of small campsites.  One of these is the main Fordhampton Campsite where tents and gazebos are in evidence enjoying the fine summer weather.  Nearby and nestled under the sheltering canopy of a small copse is a series of Military Tents belonging to the Fordhampton Platoon of the ACF who are visiting for a few days whilst on manoeuvres.



Located to the south of town in a shallow basin is Fordhampton Airfield.  The site is used by a number of local flying and glider clubs and is a popular destination for aviation enthusiasts nationwide during the summer months.  The distinctive Airfield Terminal is the first point of call for budding aviators and those looking for a pleasure flight over the South Downs and the Coast.  As well as the regular residents, visiting aircraft are always welcome and are accommodated in one of the Airfield's compact but well-equipped Hangars.  Throughout the year visitors to the Airfield are able to witness the comings and goings of a wide range of light aviation traffic including private aircraft and gliders.



After stopping off at the Airfield Cafe for a bite to eat and a cuppa, it's time for us to wander back to the station in order to catch the train home.  No doubt we'll head back again sometime soon and perhaps we will have the opportunity to visit other locations and see what else this Small Market town has to offer.  Hopefully, our day trip excursion to the South Downs has inspired you to incorporate some aspects of Fordhampton into your next project.

• What was the purpose of the counterweight that partially filled the wheels of steam locomotives?
• What cargo would generally be carried on a flatbed wagon?
• What advantages do metal wheels on a wagon have over plastic ones?
• Were individual goods wagons ever fitted with brakes?
• What were Pannier Tank Locomotives used for?

• How do I strip paint from a model safely?
• What is the best way to cut photo etch parts from a fret?
• What is MOROP?
• What is 2mm scale?
• Which is the best track to use for my model railway layout?

• Noch 15271 British Railway Staff OO/HO Gauge
• Wills Kits SS14 Tea Kiosk OO/HO Gauge
• Perry Miniatures WW1 Desert Rats 1940-1943 in 28mm Scale

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