sendNewsletterForm.php (GIF Image, 3 × 3 pixels)

Modellings tips and answers - Modelling in O gauge - Videos

Hello

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

Most images in this newsletter are clickable for more details.

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.

Railway song of the week

Reader Jon Baker sent us a great suggestion taken from a later album from Al Stewart duelling on the guitar with Laurence Juber. Well, everyone knows Al Stewart's "Year of the Cat" but did you know that Laurence Juber after being a member of The Wings with Paul McCartney went on to play on the soundtrack for Dirty Dancing? His guitar can be heard on "Time of my Life" and "She's like the Wind". So, without further ado, enjoy "Night Train to Munich". Simply click on the picture:

This week in history

On Monday 24th January 1955, the British Transport Commission published a report entitled the Modernisation and Re-Equipment of British Railways. The key recommendations of the report were the replacement of existing steam locomotives with diesel and electric units, plus a commitment to invest in new signalling infrastructure. The changeover from steam to diesel and electric was gradually phased in over a number of years. British Railways (BR) continued to operate steam locomotives for a number of years with the famous Evening Star being the last mainline steam locomotive to be built in 1960. Independent manufacturers continued to build steam locomotives for industrial and engineering purposes for a number of years, the last of which was completed by the Hunslet Engine Company in 1971.

If you click on the picture, you can download the full report.

Tool for thought

The item of the week is the Liquid Lead Shot by DCC Concepts. Liquid Lead shot is designed specifically for modellers to achieve a ballasting solution for a variety of projects. The small size of the individual shot means that they can fill small or unusually shaped spaces and will self-level to help ensure an even distribution. Once sufficient ballasting has been achieved it can be secured in place with a range of adhesives including PVA Glue. Ideal for use in a range of modelling projects, including trains, armour, aircraft and ships.

Modelling in O gauge

We talk plenty about 00 gauge which we all know is the most popular gauge, and N gauge, commonly used to fit more in, but what is 0 gauge all about?

Many years ago, before 00 came along, 0 gauge was the mainstay for many modellers, but nowadays it is chosen rather than the norm. And it's not for the faint-hearted either, although there are numerous locomotives and rolling stock available that are ready-to-run, much of an 0 gauge world will need to be created from scratch, making it perfect for modellers that are ready for a challenge.

Luckily, some of the more complicated essentials such as track, points and signals have been manufactured for us, along with some smaller buildings like signal boxes and intricate models such as cranes and level crossings, but as far as larger buildings are concerned, it's pretty much down to your scratch building skills.

0 gauge also has a good offering of models used to dress scenes like figures, telephone boxes, fences and street lamps, and a good selection of details such as doors and windows to help with the models you do have to scratch-build so you are not completely on your own.

To summarise, although you will have to scratch-build a lot of an 0 gauge layout, there are plenty of models available to help with the essentials and the fine details, so 0 gauge can be challenging but achievable.

Modelling tips

We keep on adding modelling tips to our website. Here are the latest ones:

Or 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 websit e.

Events and exhibitions

Find all the latest events and exhibitions for the model railway world, on the UK Model Shop Events directory. Hopefully, 2024 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