News from your model shop - modelling with Auhagen kits

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

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Railway song of the week

Modeller Richard sent us a message last week, following reading our the Fairlie engines in the newsletter. He said "I notice a reference to Fairlie engines. I don't know if I have missed the song Fairlie Duplex Engine by Hughie Jones from The Spinners". 

We can confirm that we never featured this skiffle song from the liverpudlian singer and the video is a feast for the eyes with numerous shots of the iconic engine. So here it is:

Auhagen is a German manufacturer of scale plastic kits for use on model railways. They have a significant following both in Mainland Europe and here in the UK, but not all of their models are well known to everybody. And that's a bit of a shame because their kits tend to be very well received by the modellers who use them. While they offer items in N and HO/OO, we will focus here on their HO/OO products.

Undoubtedly, some of Auhagen's models remain undiscovered because their name gets lost in translation, other models may be of prototypes with very technical names to begin with so never get searched for either. Whatever the reason, Auhagen is always worth a closer look for models that are a little bit different and provide that uniqueness desired by so many modellers today.

A great example of an often missed model is Auhagen's High Voltage Masts kit. It is a great product and one that many modellers desire on their layouts, but it is also one that many would refer to as an electricity pylon, meaning Auhagen's offering doesn't always show up in an Internet search. The same could be said for their Rope Pull Holders and Pressing Wheel Boxes kit, a bit of a mouth full for anybody but especially missed by those looking for signal box cable brackets or posts. The list goes on with their Cover and Drawback Boxes kit (trunking), Electrical Boxes and Turnout Activators kit (manual turnout levers), Signal Point Indicators kit (point direction signals) and Roof Top Aerials kit (TV antennas).

There is nothing wrong with either way of describing any of the above models, different people from different regions or countries will naturally use different terminology. So the advice is to always search for a model using different synonyms or phrases to ensure that you don't miss out on that perfect model, especially if it comes from a German manufacturer!




A good example is their tram track sleepers kit, very useful, but only if you happen to have a tramline running through your town. Their prefabricated garages kit will add an all too often missed feature to a housing estate. Their decorative garden walls kit is a welcome break from the usual style of model fences and walling available. Their kerbs and gutters kit comes with a decent selection of drains, grates and dropped kerbs for an ultra-realistic roadway. Their forester's observation tower kit is again something a little different which very few would actively seek to include on a layout, but for those that do, makes for an incredibly interesting focal point. And finally, a roof vents kit that's a must for modellers of industrial scenes.

• What are the common mistakes to avoid when building a model kit?
• In model railways, what is a BSK coach?
• What are my options for adding sound to my layout?
• Is it realistic to mix Pullman and non-Pullman carriages on a train?
• What is meant by the term 'shunting puzzle' ?

• What are supplementary arrow signs in railways?
• Why are there so many different types of mileposts?
• What is a model clamp?
• What is the minimum train tunnel height clearance in OO gauge?
• How much scatter do I need?

• Knightwing PM110 Station Halt Shelter in OO gauge
• Wills Kits SS25 Station Halt OO gauge
• Peco PL-10E Solenoid turnout motor
• Kestrel Designs GMKD10 Island Platform with Canopy N gauge
• Faller 140329 Motorised children's fairground merry-go-round HO gauge

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