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We have added lots of new items to our website: wagons, figures, engines, plastic kits... You can see them all by clicking here.

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.

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Railway song of the week

Not a lot is known of Don Bilston apart from the fact he worked on the railways, both as a fireman and later as a driver. He recorded the album "Farewell to Steam" in 1968 and we have selected "Night Freight" for your listening pleasure. Click on the picture to listen to it:

This is very close history as on the 2nd November 2024, rail passengers across northern England experienced significant disruption after trains were unable to run in or out of Manchester Piccadilly station due to a trespasser on the line. National Rail reported that the issue affected services throughout most of Saturday, with lines reopening around 8pm. However, due to congestion, numerous services were still cancelled, with Northern expecting delays to persist until the end of the day. The trespasser was apprehended by the British Transport Police (BTP), and train operators, including Northern and Network Rail, were working to move stranded trains and restore the timetable.

The disruption impacted multiple services across the North West, along with routes between Carlisle and Newcastle,and parts of Teesside and Yorkshire. Train operators affected included Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, Northern, TransPennine Express and Transport for Wales. Northern advised that other North West services faced potential delays and cancellations. P

Adding ballast to your model railway brings authenticity and detail, transforming bare tracks into a lifelike scene. Start with Woodland Scenics' options: Brown Fine Ballast offers a subtle, earthy tone that works across various scales, while Buff Coarse Ballast introduces a slightly coarser texture with a light buff finish, ideal for more rugged scenes. For industrial or heavily used lines, Cinders Coarse Ballast gives a striking, dark look that’s perfect for representing coal-heavy or steam-era railways.

Creating the right texture is key, and Woodland Scenics offers more options: Gray Fine Ballast brings a classic look to urban or well-maintained rail lines, while the Light Gray Medium Ballast has a slightly rougher grain, offering great contrast. For a nuanced mix, Grey Blend Fine Ballast combines shades for a naturally varied look that mimics real ballast profiles across many layouts.

To simplify the application, the Quick Ballaster from Golden Valley Hobbies is ideal for OO/HO scales, helping to spread ballast evenly while keeping sleepers clear. For N gauge and  narrow-gauge modellers, the Quick Ballaster N/OO9 offers the same efficiency in a compact design. Both come as an easy to build kit. Ready to use, Proses' HO/OO Scale Ballast Spreader aids in distributing ballast uniformly, ensuring a smooth, consistent finish across your track.

Securing the ballast in place is essential to maintain the layout’s integrity. Ballast Magic by Deluxe Materials is a versatile adhesive powder that mixes directly with ballast and activates with a light mist of water, making it easy to reposition as needed. For a complete solution, the Ballast Magic Kit includes both the adhesive and a misting bottle, making application seamless. Ballast Bond Liquid Adhesive offers a liquid solution that penetrates deeply for a strong hold while drying clear and matte.

• What is a U-boat?
• What are some alternatives to lichen?
• What is lichen?
• What is a 4 aspect signal?

• What are lacquer paints?
• What is the difference between a standard power clip and a digital power clip?
• Why are groups of wagons on a train sometimes referred to as a rake?
• How do I create a story with my model railway?
• Is black the best wash colour to use?

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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