JULIAN LILLEY goes through what is due out this year from Noch.
As a keen railway modeller, I am sure I do not have tell you how good the quality and breadth of the range that Noch produce is. Their new items selection this year is no exception, covering over 110 scenic and layout/diorama building items. Noch have an extensive figure range in HO/OO and N and over the last few years they have included O, Z, TT, and Gauge 1. This year they have added a small range of G Scale figures to their offering.
The first new item we'll looking brings your layout right up to date. How many times in the last year have you tried to buy key items in your supermarket to find the shelves completely empty? These Panic Buyers would look great outside the GM419 Fordhampton Supermarket on your layout.
N15519 Panic Buyers at The Supermarket (6) Figure Set
The second group of items to highlight will make your layout a favourite, particularly amongst young children and would not go amiss on layouts based around the Jurassic Coast.
First there is the 6-figure set of Archaeologists, which are beautifully modelled, and to go with them you can add a hard foam excavation of a Roman Bathhouse, which can be sunk into your layout. As the Roman Empire was so large this item is suitable for layouts set in Continental Europe, parts of the UK, and parts of Africa and Asia as well.
N15043 Archaeologists (6) Figure Set
A similar product is this dig of a Tyrannosaurus skeleton, should you wish your archaeologists to be palaeontologists.
Following on is an extensive range of Market stalls, figures and accessories that could be used in numerous ways - from one large fruit and veg market, a smaller farmers' market, a roadside flower or fruit seller, to a hot dog and ice cream seller at a funfair or near a beach or park scene.
The opportunities are endless. See below for the full range.
N16225 At the Vegetable Market Themed Figure Set
N16226 At the Fruit Market Themed Figure Set
N16229 At the Hot Dog & Ice Cream Stalls Themed Figure Set
N16227 At the Flower Market Themed Figure Set
By adding extra flower sets like the new N14009 Flower Boxes and N14012 Ornamental, N14023 Mediterranean House plants and N14024 Palms it would make a very colourful realistic flower stall.
'Two sugars please' – These stalls can be found in any park or urban setting.
N16230 At the Coffee Stall Themed Figure Set
Apart from a market area this would look great in a harbour area.
N16228 At the Fish Market Themed Figure Set
Particularly since the start of lockdown, these guys are seen down nearly every street in the country. These would go well with the new Faller Package Lockers in a previous edition of Right Lines.
Surprisingly, this is the first time I have seen such a group of figures and are realistically animated.
N15817 Children Playing Football (6) Figure Set
To add sound to your farm scene, this chicken hut with nine chickens has miniature electronics that enables the sound to exactly come from where the chickens are and is ready to connect. The connection is made via a standard 16v (DC or AC) model railway transformer and lasts for about 20 seconds.
N12853 Chickens Sound Scene Module
To add movement and sound to your farm/stable area, this new Micromotion kit would be ideal. It includes a riding arena with 1 horse with rider, 1 riding instructor, sound module and connected loudspeaker with horse neighing and hoofbeat, power supply with speed control, laser-cut horse boxes kit and laser-cut special adhesive.
N66717 Micromotion Riding Arena Laser Cut Kit
Whilst still on OO/HO, these two beautifully moulded hard foam footbridges would not look out of place on any UK or continental layout.
N58696 Hard Foam Oberdorf Bridge
To strengthen their already extensive range of scenic materials and accessories, Noch are introducing some textured grass mats that add realism to any layout. They come in five different types and can be easily cut to fit where you need it. Each one comes with two different grass fibre lengths and colours, which are electrostatically charged during production to ensure they stand up straight. They come in a pack of two and are each 25 x 25 cm and are due for release in September.
N07470 Lush Meadow Natur+ Scenic Mat 25x25cm
N07471 Reed Meadow Natur+ Scenic Mat 25x25cm
N07472 Natural Meadow Natur+ Scenic Mat 25x25cm
N07473 Heath Natur+ Scenic Mat 25x25cm
N07474 Patchy Grass Natur+ Scenic Mat 25x25cm
A lot of the new OO/HO figure sets are replicated in N Scale this year, with the addition of children playing in the snow and, for any layouts in Yorkshire or around the Dorking area, there are racing cyclists.
N36821 Children Playing In The Snow (6) Figure Set
N36897 Racing Cyclists (3) Figure Set
Also new this year is a small range of G Scale figure sets which are hand painted in super detail, with weatherproof paint making them suitable for outdoor use.
N17311 Railway Shunters (3) Figure Set
N17350 Railway Passengers (3) Figure Set
N17351 Seated Railway Passengers (3) Figure Set
N17300 Railway Officials (3) Figure Set
Click Here to view the New Items Leaflet PDF