News from your model shop - 20th August 2023

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On a layout, low-relief model kits are intended to be viewed from one angle and are usually placed against a backdrop or at the rear of the scene, to create the illusion of depth. They can be used to represent buildings, factories, warehouses or any other structures that are not the main focus of the scene but still contribute to the overall atmosphere and realism.  As such they perform an important but often overlooked task on a layout, namely the seamless blending of the foreground elements of the layout into the backscene.  They are available in a number of formats including ready-made and card kits and are for the most part cheap to buy and relatively easy to build.  Their importance is such that there is a wide selection of options available for modellers to choose from specifically produced by the main manufacturers in the field.  For this week's newsletter, we will examine some of the options for low relief models available across a range of manufacturers.

One of the most popular manufacturers of layout kits is the British company Metcalfe.  Based in Yorkshire, Metcalfe has been producing high-quality kits in card since the early 1990s.  The Cinema and Shops kit is a good example of a Low-relief kit in that although it is designed to be viewed from the front, it contains significant detail whilst its compact configuration will be ideal for blending into a backscene.  Similarly, the Pub & Shops kit contains a corner Pub, plus two shops, all with varying-sized townhouses above.  The Terraced House Backs offers significant perception depth for the observer whilst allowing the modeller a very efficient bridging point between the foreground and the background.  All of the kits are available in OO Gauge.



Another well-known manufacturer producing low-relief models is Bachmann.  As part of their 'Scenecraft' range, Bachmann has produced an impressive selection of buildings that are hand-painted and ready to place on a layout.  The Rail Milk Depot in OO gauge is certainly an unusual building and will add significant interest to any layout.  Similarly, the Block of Flats in N gauge is a very good example of how cleverly a low-relief building does its job.  The impressive hand-painted facade catches the eye with its front-on detail whilst its shallow depth allows it to blend effortlessly into the backscene.  Another good example of this process is the Office Block, also in N gauge,  which will add significant visual interest to a wide range of urban settings. 



Superquick are another British Manufacturer that specialises in card kits for railway layouts and dioramas.  The Post Office and Shops kit is typical of many low-relief models in that it combines three different buildings that are all joined together.  The end result produces an interesting and varied facade that is both highly effective and easy to assemble.  Another significant advantage of Superquick kits is that they are relatively cheap, which will certainly be of benefit to modellers with larger layouts.  The Regency Shops and House kit offers something a little different whilst still combining a number of differing elements together.  Likewise, the Hotel, Offices and Restaurant kit continues the theme of bringing eclectic buildings together to create a visually appealing frontage whilst effectively allowing a modeller to seamlessly blend different layout aspects together.  All of the kits mentioned are for OO Gauge modellers.



There is also a wide range of low-relief kits for N Gauge modellers to choose from.  Metcalfe offers a significant choice of card kits such as the attractive Stone Terraced Houses Fronts that combines visual appeal with the advantage of a modular approach.  This kit effectively creates 4 terraced houses together which allows a modeller to create a long facade by simply daisy-chaining a number of kits together thus creating the appearance of a residential road of terraced houses seen front on.  For modellers looking to create a  busy town centre, the Department Store kit offers significant frontage matched with great visual appeal.  Likewise, the Pubs and Shops kit offers not only great visual appeal but could also be used in combination with other similar kits to produce a continuous effect to help blend a visual boundary.



Low-relief models on a layout have a very specific role to play in creating the illusion of depth.  They are available in a number of forms including ready-made items and card-based kits.  Due to the fact that they are specifically designed to be viewed from one angle, they generally pack in a lot of detail to help catch and lead a casual observer's eye by using the process of forced perspective.  They also have the dual advantages of being reasonably cheap and a simplistic build.  This last fact alone can be useful for novice modellers assembling their first layout as it will allow them to develop their kit-building skills before moving on to more complex items.  Why not consider the options and advantages that low-relief models could offer in your next project? 

• What are low relief buildings and what advantages do they offer on a layout ?
• What is a headshunt and where would I install one on a layout ?
• How do catenary systems cope with curved sections of track ?
• Where would I typically use an insulated rail joiner on a layout?
• What is the difference between static grass and fine scatter?

• How can I easily remove dust and dirt from a layout?
• What is a 'tripcock test indicator'?
• Can a non DCC ready engine be converted to DCC?
• How do I ballast points on a model railway layout?
• How do I stop paint from bleeding under masking tape?

• AFV Club SE73519 LST-491 Class Landing Ship Tank in 1/350 Scale
• Ratio 256 Large Water Tower in N Gauge
• Rubicon Models 280064 Jagdpanther G1 or G2 in 1/56 Scale

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