JULIAN LILLEY reveals his Christmas list for the smaller scales.
Well, with the John Lewis Christmas advert with us (other stores are available), no one can say I am too early to discuss ideal gifts.
Following the success of the OO Scale Gaugemaster Structures range a couple of years ago, the time was right this year to launch a similar high-quality range in N Scale. These have been added to the already successful Kestrel range and have been brought up to date with more modern pieces like an Aldi Supermarket and a Wind Turbine, both of which a sprouting up everywhere in the UK.
For the earlier era modellers the three brewery buildings could be used in many different industrial guises. Also combining the Locomotive Works and the Yard Crane you could make an impressive Steam Era scene.
Gaugemaster Kestrel GMKD1013 Supermarket Kit
£36.50*
Gaugemaster Kestrel GMKD1011 Wind Turbine Kit
£36.50*
Gaugemaster Kestrel GMKD1006 Brewery Main Building Kit
£24.00*
Gaugemaster Kestrel GMKD1007 Brewery Boiler House Kit
£24.00*
Gaugemaster Kestrel GMKD1008 Brewery Stores Kit
£24.25*
Gaugemaster Kestrel GMKD1002 Locomotive Works Kit
£26.00*
Gaugemaster Kestrel GMKD1005 Loading Crane Kit
£15.75*
Gaugemaster Kestrel GMKD1004 Station Overall Roof Kit
£31.50*
Seeing the design of the station roof above reminds me of Brighton Station, which brings me neatly onto the first of the starter sets that have caught my attention in N Scale.
The Brighton Belle Premium Train Set comes complete with a two car Brighton Belle unit, an oval of Kato UNITRACK and an easy to use Kato controller. The coaches have illuminated table lamps installed which come on whilst the unit is in motion This unit is DCC Ready so a 6 Pin Decoder will fit into the front coach.
Gaugemaster Collection Brighton Belle Premium Train Set
£279.95*
The next two sets are ideal for those looking for a quality digital unit complete with sound and ready to go.
The first is made by Minitrix which is part of Marklin, the biggest model railway company in the world.
Minitrix M11147 MRCE BR185.1 Freight Digital Starter Set VI (DCC-Sound)
£309.95*
It consists of a Mitsui Rail Capital Europe (MRCE) class 185.1 electric locomotive, a DB AG type Res 2 flat car, and a sliding tarpaulin car. The set is controlled by the Marklin Mobile Station digital unit and comes complete with an oval of track.
The second set is from Fleishmann, who this year have decided to solely concentrate on N Scale and leave the HO and HOe to their sister company Roco.
The set comes complete with a wireless digital handset via the tried and tested z21 system. Rolling stock is in the form of a Class 194 Electric locomotive and four plank wagons.
Fleishmann DB BR194 Freight Starter Set IV (DCC-Sound)
£569.95*
And finally in N Scale, I was delighted to see that Kato have reintroduced and improved the delightful Hiroshima tram.
Kato K14-071-1 Hiroshima Electric Railway Type 200 Hannover Tram
£48.50*
And last but not least, we have the Z Scale Marklin Christmas Set that is often used as the centrepiece of a Christmas table display and a great introduction into this smaller scale.
Marklin MN81845 Christmas Starter Set
£189.95*
✱ Prices Correct as of 4th December 2020