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Modellings tips and answers - Adding life with figures - Videos

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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

"Blue Train", composed by John Coltrane in 1958, is a seminal jazz standard and the title track of the iconic album Blue Train. Known for its unique harmonic structure, the track blends major and minor tonalities, showcasing Coltrane's innovative approach to composition.

This period marks a pivotal moment in Coltrane's career as he transitioned from bebop and hard bop to modal jazz, laying the groundwork for his later, more spiritual work. The Blue Train album is his only session as leader for Blue Note Records, and it remains one of his most acclaimed recordings from the late 1950s. Coltrane's growth as a bandleader, alongside his collaborations with major jazz figures like Miles Davis and Thelonious Monk, solidified his reputation as one of the most influential saxophonists and composers in jazz history.

This week in history

The inauguration of the Stockton and Darlington Railway on September 27, 1825, marked a transformative moment in global transportation history. This railway was the first to use steam-powered locomotives for both passenger and freight services, an innovation that set the stage for the widespread development of railroads across the world. George Stephenson, an engineer and inventor, played a pivotal role in designing the locomotive for the line. His engine, Locomotion No. 1, hauled a mixed train of passengers and coal across a 25-mile route in England, demonstrating the viability of steam-powered rail transport for commercial and public use. The event was a major success, attracting spectators and heralding the dawn of the railway era, which would soon revolutionize both industrial and social landscapes.

The Stockton and Darlington Railway was initially built to transport coal from mines near Shildon in County Durham to the port at Stockton-on-Tees, where it could be shipped to southern England. The railway's ability to move goods efficiently and in large quantities significantly reduced transportation costs, boosting industries such as mining and textiles. The line's success demonstrated the potential of railways to stimulate economic growth by improving access to markets and resources. While it began as a regional initiative, the Stockton and Darlington Railway set a precedent that inspired the rapid expansion of rail networks in Britain, Europe, and beyond.

Do you have one of them?

The Hornby R8232 DCC Electro Point Clips are essential for enhancing DCC reliability by making self-isolating points live. Available in packs of 20, these clips are used to connect tracks, ensuring power flows through all routes on a layout. You need only two clips per point. These clips ensure smooth operation with points decoders and digital controllers.

Bringing Your Layout to Life with Preiser Figures

Are you looking to add some character and realism to your layout? Well, you're in luck because I've got some cracking suggestions for you using Preiser's fantastic range of HO/OO scale figures. Let's dive in and see how we can populate your miniature world with some interesting scenes and characters.

Let's start with some modern urban scenes. Fancy adding a touch of street art to your layout? Preiser's Graffiti Artists set comes with two figures and a wall, perfect for creating that edgy urban vibe. For a more civilised setting, why not populate your model bookshop with the 'At the Bookstore' set? It includes five figures browsing and shopping, bringing your miniature store to life. And to really capture the hustle and bustle of town life, the 'On the Town Pavement' set gives you seven diverse figures going about their daily business. These sets are a great way to add some contemporary flavour to your layout.

Now, if you're modelling an earlier era, Preiser has you covered too. The 'Seated Persons 1900' set is perfect for populating your vintage railway carriages or park benches with six figures in period attire. Need a crowd for your model theatre or cinema? The 'Seated People' set gives you a whopping 72 unpainted figures to customise as you see fit. And for that touch of class, why not add the 'Prominent Persons in Horse Drawn Carriage' to your layout? It's sure to turn heads as it clip-clops down your miniature high street.

Let's not forget about adding some life to your industrial areas. The 'Despatch Employee' figure is perfect for that busy goods yard or warehouse scene. For a touch of rural charm, consider the 'Horse Drawn Flat Wagon with Vegetable Load' or the 'Horse Drawn Farm Wagon with Sack Load'. These beautifully detailed sets will add a sense of purpose and activity to your agricultural or market town scenes. Remember, it's these little details that really bring a layout to life!

Finally, for those of you modelling the early days of rail, Preiser offers some fantastic options. The 'Seated Passengers 1847' set is perfect for populating your vintage carriages with 13 figures in period-appropriate attire. And if you're creating a Victorian street scene, the 'At the Grocers Shop 1900' set is just the ticket, with eight figures ready to bring your miniature shop to life. Don't forget about adding some music to your layout - the 'Rifle Association Band' set includes 12 figures that will have your miniature crowds tapping their feet in no time!

Remember, these Preiser figures are all compatible with OO gauge as well, so whether you're working in HO or OO, you'll find these sets a perfect fit. Happy modelling, and have fun bringing your layout to life!

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 still 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

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