Creating Cobbled Streets

Adding realistic cobbled streets to a OO or HO Gauge Model Railway layout has always been a bit of a challenge. The choices have either been to use a printed Brick paper sheet from Superquick or Model Railway Scenery, which is fine, but it’s a bit 2D for my liking. Skim the surface to be cobbled with plaster, painstakingly carve the cobbles by hand, which takes hours, then paint them with acrylics. Or just give up on the whole idea instead.

The last option being the most popular choice for me in the past has now thankfully been replaced by a great new product from those wonderful Model Railway Guru’s at Noch in Germany.

Noch 3d Texture Sheets

They’ve just released a great new range of 3D Texture Sheets. These new 3D texture sheets are revolutionizing model landscaping for Railway Modellers around the world. These flexible, self-adhesive sheets are three dimensionally structured with a super realistic, pre-coloured surface. The full range includes a variety of Brick, Tile, Stone and indeed Cobbled surfaces.

The 3D Texture sheets from Noch are simply cut to shape using a pair of scissors or craft knife. Then peel off the protective film, and fix into place. Nothing could be simpler!

These Texture sheets can be used on a wide variety of surfaces too, including cardboard, plaster, wood, polystyrene and more. They can also be moved too if necessary within a few hours of the initial application by gently warming the fixed sheet with a hair dryer.

Weathering for Added Realism

The pre-coloured 3d Texture sheets can also be weathered using acrylic paints to give an even more realistic look.

Noch 3D Cobbled Texture Sheet Range

So let’s take a look at the current range of OO/HO gauge of Cobbled texture sheets by Noch. At present there are 5 different designs, each with its own unique application. From patterned cobbles square, ideal for larger open areas on your layout, to the 57216 Cobbled street, complete with pavement. For small backstreets and alleyways the Noch 57220 is ideal with its simple stretcher cobble pattern.

Noch 57212 Patterned Cobbled Square

Noch 57216 3D Cobbled Road With Pavement

Where to buy Noch 3D Texture Sheets

• Noch 3D Texture Sheets at Model Railway Shop

Figures bring a layout to life, and that’s a fact. No matter what time of day, you layout needs movement, plants, animals and, plain old human beings! The British Railway modelling scene has always been a little on the lean side when it comes to figures, but those clever German model engineers at Noch and Preiser have been at it for years, producing huge ranges of very well crafted and finished model figures.

They’ve pretty much covered every scene and every variation you can think of, AND every scale too. Now the scale purists will probably choke now when I say this, but their HO ranges (1:87) are perfectly usable on OO gauge (1:76) layouts. Yes there’s a slight difference in scale height, but then not all of us are 6 foot tall in real life are we? So a 6ft tall figure in HO equates to approx a 5′ 8″ person in OO… Now myself I think that’s perfectly acceptable!

The range that German Model Railway company Noch now have available is extensive to say the least, so I thought today we’d take a look at just 5 sets of figures that will add an instant touch of realism to your layout and make it really come to life in a big way, besides adding a few passengers to your platform.

1. Family Barbecue Figures in OO/HO

This is the Noch 15588 Family Barbecue scene. A very common sight in modern society and it will instantly make a back garden on your layout much more fun! The set consists of 4 figures including Dad busy at the BBQ, Mother & Son relaxing, and the daughter playing with the family hound. Also includes a drinks cooler too!

Noch 15588 Family Barbeque Figures in OO / HO Scale

2. Grandparents & Grandchildren Playing

Children love to play with their Grandparents, and now that can on your layout too with the Noch 15589 Grandparents & Children Figure Pack. There’s Grandad giving rides in the wheelbarrow, whilst Grandma looks after the Daughter and Youngest son on the swing and climbing frame. A must have scene for any OO Gauge / HO Scale model railway layout.

Noch 15589 Grandparents & Children Figures

3. Construction Workers

Where ever you are, you’re never far from a building site of one kind or another. Now you can instantly create one on your layout with the Noch 15114 Construction Workers Figures Pack. Comprising of 5 hand painted figures performing a variety of tasks. There’s two guys shoveling, a couple of foremen, one on his tea break and the obligatory building site Barrel Incinerator.

Noch 15114 Contruction Workers

4. Gardeners

As one of the biggest pastimes in every country around the globe, people doing a spot of gardening should definitely feature somewhere on your layout. The fantastic 15586 Gardening Figures set is the perfect way to add interest to a front garden, veg plot or allotment. These great OO / HO scale figures are mowing the lawn, talking to a neighbour over the fence, preparing to sew seeds, weeding and more.

Noch 15586 Gardening Figures in OO/HO Scale

5. Parents & Children

It’s a lovely sunny day so this family are all out in the garden having fun in the sun. Mum & Dad are enjoying a few quiet moments relaxing on the swinging chair, while the kids and dog play in the sand pit. The excellent 15590 Parents & Children set from Noch gives you just that!

Noch 15590 Parents & Children

Save Up To 70% On Noch Model Railway Figures

Applying the Asphalt Granules

The Noch 60820 Road Contruction Set is a brand new method for creating very realistic roads indeed. This specially designed set contains very fine asphalt granules in a purpose made applicator, a refill pack to keep you going, and a pot of grey acrylic road colour paint for weathering your newly laid roadway.

The set gives you enough to create a 3.15″ wide country road on an OO/HO scale layout with a total length of 118″ (3 metres).

N60820 Road Construction Set

Application of the road granules and acrylic colour is easy, allowing very realistic results to be achieved by beginners as well as Railway modellers with advanced skills. Here’s the basic method for creating a road using the Noch 60820 Road Construction Set.

Basic Road Construction On A Model Railway

1. Apply a suitable glue to the road or carpark area to be covered. Use Noch Grass Glue or White PVA
   

   Applying Glue To The Road Area

2. Sprinkle the asphalt granules over the prepared area with the applicator. Refill if necessary.
   

   Applying the Asphalt Granules

3. After drying, the road surface can now be weathered and sealed with the acrylic road colour (Pay attention to how real roads look. There are often lighter areas where vehicle tyres mostly. Try and replicate these with the acrylic colour).
   

   Applying Acrylic Colour To The Road

Road Construction Set Contents

• Applicator with 150ml of fine Asphalt Granules.
• 100ml Asphalt Granules refill pack.
• 125ml bottle of acrylic road colour.

Fancy building a new road on your layout and giving this kit a try? Click here to purchase the Noch Road Construction Set.

• Paint Brush
• PVA Glue

Hornby R8214 DCC Controller Instock Now!

The Hornby Senior DCC Controller (R8214) is now back in stock at Model Railway Shop. Designed for those who really want to take their Model train layout to the next level, with the unrivaled capability to register up to 254 locomotives and operate up to 255 accessories, including full point control and more.

This fully featured DCC Control unit offers twin controls and a 17 button keypad, making controlling your Model Railway layout easier than ever.

For the full list of features, checkout the product detail page.

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Accessories for use with the Hornby R8214 Senior DCC Controller

• Hornby R8249 Loco Decoder
  This NMRA approved decoder gives the ultimate level of control over your DCC Ready locomotive. Works perfectly with both Hornby Senior and Elite DCC controllers, or indeed any other DCC Digital Model Railway Control System.
• Hornby R8232 Electro Power Clips
  Essential for getting the best out of your Hornby DCC layout. By default, Hornby points are isolating. These clips make ALL your Hornby points live, making DCC operation of your layout seamless.
• Hornby R8238 Reverse Loop Module
  An essential add on for the Hornby Senior or Elite DCC Controller. Eliminates the need for complex switching and wiring on layouts using a reverse loop or “wye” configuration.
• Hornby R8216 Point Decoder
  Allows remote operation of your points, signals and other accessories via your DCC control system and without the need for excess wiring. Each point decoder can operate up to 4 point motor solenoids, semaphore signals or electronically operated uncoupling ramps.

Noch Laser Cut Minis - Rhubarb

The new range of Laser Cut mini Plants & Shrubs from Noch have revolutionised Model Railway Scenery. These life-like, innovative products are a great way to add instant life to your Model Railway layout. Currently only available in HO gauge, these are however perfectly suitable for OO Gauge use too.

What are Noch Laser Cut Minis?

Noch use laser technology to accurately cut out each plant from pre-printed, tear-proof paper, so that even the finest details and delicate plant structures can be replicated quickly and easily. These highly realistic plants can be easily bent and formed into natural looking plant shapes in just a few seconds with only your fingertips.

The benefits of using Noch’s Laser Cut Minis is that they have a much more life-like appearance when compared to plastic alternatives, and they can be shaped easily, to give each plant a totally unique look, just as nature intended.

In Use:

Noch Laser Cut Minis are easily shaped by hand and glued into place using UHU or other general purpose glue.

Buy Noch Laser Cut Minis

H0 No Laser-Cut Minis Farn

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Noch 14106

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Noch 14116

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Hornby R1139 Blue Rapier Train Set In Stock Now

We’ve just had a stock update and we’re now please to say that the following Analogue & DCC Train Sets are now back in stock:

• Hornby R1139 Blue Rapier Class 395 Train Set
  Featuring the revolutionary Hitachi Class 395 locomotive. 3 vehicle set with extra coaches now available to enable you to run longer trains on your layout.

		List Price: £101.99 Buy New: £64.00 You Save: £37.99 (37%) New (16) Used (3) from £56.40
This item is NOT a toy and is intended for modelling use, Scale - 1:76 (more)

• Hornby R1147 Code Name Strike Force Train Set
  Experience the thrills and spills of military operations with this Army themed Train Set from Hornby. Features camouflaged Train, Hummer, Tank & accessories. An ideal starter train set for any boy that wants to add in a military theme to their layout. Can be easily expanded with Hornby Track Packs.

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• Hornby R1097 East Coast Pullman Train Set
  This is the ultimate train set by Hornby. Featuring the stunning LNER B/12 Locomotive and three Pullman coaches. Plus a J52 Locomotive and wagons. Full DCC Control with the Hornby Select digital controller so you can run two trains at the same time. Take a look at the video below:

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This item is NOT a toy and is intended for modelling use, Scale - 1:76 (more)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNu7-S52y2Q

Built In 1:32 scale, this incredible feet of model engineering has been open to the public for over 80 years!

Enjoy this Drivers Eye View video…

www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMsJ_P6d-zg

Visit Bekonscot Model Railway Official Site

www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fMuZzOsUQ8

Armed with just basic woodworking skills, and a few common tools, it’s possible to build your own low cost, sturdy baseboard for your model railway layout.

Common Woods for Model Railway Baseboards

There are several different types of wood that can be used for building model railway baseboards. They each have their own benefits and disadvantages. These are some of the most common:

• Sundeala - Recycled Paper Board.
  This is undoubtedly the most popular surface for model railway baseboards. It’s strong, yet light, and is fairly soft, meaning it’s easy to drill and cut. A sharp Stanley Knife can be used to cut holes for point motors, and it’s even possible to poke holes for feeding wires through with the tip of a flat blade screwdriver. Readily available from all Wood & Timber merchants all over the world. The ideal choice for both permanent and transportable layouts.

• Chipboard- This is probably the cheapest of all woods, but it is very heavy. Only really suitable for permanent layouts that don’t need to be moved.
• MDF -- As with chipboard, it’s quite cheap, yet heavy, and needs more specialist tools to cut and shape than Sundeala.
• Plywood- Again, a heavy, yet extremely strong wood. Suitable only for permanent layouts.

Once you’ve decided on the surface for your model railway baseboard, it’s then important to reinforce it with a solid wood frame. For this 1″ x 2″ soft wood, such as pine, would be fine. Build a frame around the outside of your baseboard, then strengthen across the length and width of the board using further battens of 1″ x 2″ softwood, screwed at 8″ to 10″ intervals.

Model Railway Baseboard Resources:

Hornby R1144 Night Mail Train Set

If you’re looking for a first train set for a young railway modeller, or someone who is getting back into the hobby later in life, then you can’t go wrong with the Hornby LMS Night Mail set.

Experience the magic and nostalgia of the steam era as the London Midland Scottish 0-6-0 Travelling Post Office (or TPO as it was known) thunders round the track at breathtaking speed, delivering mail on time, every time! The includes everything you need to get started in railway modelling and the set features the standard Midi Oval of high quality Hornby Track which can be easily expanded with the use of the off the shelf Hornby Track Packs available separately.

With the wealth of other accessories from Hornby, Gaugemaster, Noch and Faller, it is very easy to build an exceptional model railway layout using just this set, a few accessories and a little imagination, even on a tight budget.

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See also:

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Hornby R1149 Toy Story Train Set

The Brand New Disney Toy Story 3 train set from Hornby Hobbies sees Woody and Buzz riding on top of the train in this fun packed, adventure filled set. Perfect for kids from 3 years and up, and a great way to introduce them to the wonderfull world of Hornby Trains.

The Toy Story Train Set includes a Western style locomotive, 3 detailed yet rugged carriages and a desert scene track mat measuring approximately 1150 mm x 820mm.

The set also includes a controller and a mains wall mounted transformer, so you have everything you need to get started right there in the box.

The build quality of the items in this set is of the usual quality you would expect from a Hornby product and you have full piece of mind with Hornby’s guarantee and second-to-non after sales service.

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The set includes a Western style locomotive, 3 carriages, A desert scene track mat measuring approximately 1150 mm x 820mm, Set also includes a controller and wall mounted transformer (more)