News from your model shop - Adding character(s) to your layout

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Railway song of the week

Reader Alan Doyle contacted us to suggest "Six-Five Special" by Don Lang and His Frantic Five, a lively and quintessential piece of British rock 'n' roll history. Released in the late 1950s, the song served as the theme for the groundbreaking BBC TV programme Six-Five Special, which was the UK's first regular pop music show. Airing from 1957, the programme played a key role in introducing audiences to the burgeoning rock 'n' roll scene.


Are you looking to add some character and realism to your layout? Well, you're in luck because we have some suggestions for you using Artitec's beautifully detailed and hand-painted figures. Let's dive in and see how you can populate your miniature world with some fascinating folk.

Let's start in HO/OO gauge with some essential workers, shall we? Picture this: a couple of trackworkers huddled around a burning barrel, taking a well-deserved break from their labours. You can almost feel the warmth emanating from that barrel! Now, to keep your streets clean and tidy, why not add a trio of bin men in their hi-viz gear? And to round off this hardworking bunch, how about a streetsweeper with his trusty dustcart? These chaps will surely add a touch of everyday life to your urban scenes.

Now, let's move on to some transport-related figures. Every layout needs some bus drivers, and Artitec's set of three standing bus drivers will fit the bill perfectly. For a bit of nostalgia, why not add a couple of Solex and Mobylette riders? They'll bring a touch of continental charm to your streets. And to complete the transport theme, how about some passengers huddled under umbrellas, waiting for their bus or train in the rain? These figures will add a sense of movement and purpose to your layout.



Let's not forget about the countryside! Artitec offers a delightful set of farmers working in the fields, perfect for your rural scenes. To add some variety to your urban areas, why not include some waiting cyclists? They'll look great near a level crossing or traffic lights. And if you're modelling an earlier era, they even offer a set of bin men in blue overalls that would look right at home in a 1950s or 60s setting.



If you are modelling in N scale, Artitec hasn't forgotten you! Their range includes some wonderfully detailed N scale figures too. How about some porters with luggage to bring your station scenes to life? Or perhaps some 1970s conductors to staff your trains? And for a touch of vintage charm, consider adding some 1950s-70s era conductors to your station platforms or train interiors.



Remember, these Artitec figures are all hand-painted and incredibly detailed, making them perfect for adding that extra touch of realism to your layout. So go on, give your miniature world the population it deserves!

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