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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
Released on his 2023 album "Moving On Skiffle",
"Worried Man Blues" sees Van Morrison delve into his love of skiffle music. This particular track is a reworking of a traditional folk song, with roots in the Appalachian mountains and connections to both
Woody Guthrie and the Carter Family. Van's version, however, is distinctly his own. His voice, weathered and soulful, captures the essence of the song's theme: that universal experience of worry. It's not about any one specific problem, but rather that general state of unease that we all know too well. So, if you're looking for a song that understands those late-night thoughts and gives them a voice, give "Worried Man Blues" a listen. You might just find you're not as alone in your worries as you thought.
And what is the link to this railway newsletter, I hear you asking? Well, listen to the song by clicking on the picture and it will be obvious!
This week in history
On the 15th February 1930, the Taurus Express ran
for the first time. The Taurus Express has had many destination and
origin points over the years, the most notable being the original route
from Istanbul to Bagdad.
Do you have one?
The
Fordhampton Airfield Hangar kit from Gaugemaster in 00 gauge is an impressive model building, ideal for creating a comprehensive
airfield scene. This 70-part plastic kit, supplied pre-coloured but suitable for painting, allows you to position the folding doors as desired and includes airfield accessories like a windsock and two light aircraft. Requiring assembly with plastic cement (not included), the kit comes with full instructions and, once completed, measures 250mm wide, 130mm deep and 65mm high.
Maritime Scenes in OO/HO Scale
Ahoy there, fellow modellers! Have you ever considered adding a touch of nautical charm to your layout? Whether you're looking to create a bustling harbour scene, a tranquil boating lake or a picturesque riverside, OO/HO scale boats can add a whole new dimension to your miniature world. Let's dive in and explore some of the delightful options available to you!
For those of you keen on capturing the essence of sailing,
Preiser offers a
range of Korsar boat sets that are sure to float your boat. These hand-painted figures come complete with their own sailboats, perfect for creating dynamic water scenes. You can choose from sailors putting on life jackets, tending to the rigging or simply enjoying a day out on the water. Each set
includes two figures and a boat, allowing you to mix and match to create a variety of nautical scenarios. Remember, these little sailors stand at about 2cm tall, making them ideal for OO/HO scale layouts. Now, you might be wondering, "Why all these different sets?" Well, me hearties, variety is the spice of life! Each set offers
different poses and arrangements, allowing you to create diverse and dynamic scenes. Populate your waterways with a fleet of busy little boats, each telling its own story.
If you're after something a bit more traditional, why not consider adding some
classic rowboats to your water features?
Artitec offers a delightful set of three old-fashioned rowboats, perfect for adding a touch of nostalgia to your scenes. For a slightly larger vessel, you might fancy their
Rowing Boat Kempenaar, a beautifully detailed model that would look right at home in a rural setting. And if you're modelling a more modern era, the
Frisian Steel Motor Boat could be just the ticket. These
resin models are hand-painted and weathered, giving them a realistic, lived-in look that will bring your water scenes to life.


For those of you who enjoy a bit of variety,
Busch offers a fantastic
set of six small boats that could really diversify your waterside scenes. This kit includes four outboard motor boats in various colours, a boat trailer, a dinghy and even a wooden raft with a paddle. It's perfect for creating a busy boating lake or a riverside recreation area. And speaking of recreation, Preiser's set of two
rowing boats with couples is ideal for adding a touch of leisure to your layout. Imagine these tiny lovebirds enjoying a romantic row on a sunny afternoon!
So there you have it, shipmates! With these delightful miniature watercraft, you're all set to make waves in your scale world. Whether you're creating a bustling harbour, a peaceful lake or a charming river scene, these boats and figures will help bring your aquatic areas to life. Happy modelling and
may your layouts always have fair winds!
Modelling tips
Or re-visit these slightly older ones:
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 website.
Events and exhibitions
Find all the latest events and exhibitions for the model railway world, on the
UK Model Shop Events directory. Hopefully, 2025 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
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