Main Lines: 7th June 2025
Welcome to this week's Main Lines.
This week in real-world transport news, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has approved a significant transport infrastructure investment, allocating billions of pounds for urban transport schemes, including a new railway line between Manchester and Liverpool. This initiative is part of a broader £113 billion capital investment plan aimed at stimulating regional growth outside London and the southeast. The Manchester-Liverpool rail line is one of the flagship components and may ultimately link to a future HS2 replacement.
This renewed talk about our transport system got us thinking about what our transport system may look like in the future. Someone else who has been is a young customer of ours - Ethan. He has been busy designing his train for the future, and with a bit of help from our workshop manager, he is one step closer. Read on to find out more.
In This Issue:
Continental Railway News
The Story of Ethan and his Multiple Unit.
For those of you following us on social media, you may have seen our recent search for Ethan, a young train enthuisast. After learning about writing letters in school, we were delighted to find out he had chosen to write his letter to us. you can see below his lovley letter asking if we would consider making his model for him.
The letter reads:
"Dear Gaugemaster, Do you think you could make this model for me please!"
If that wasn't sweet enough, Ethan has also given special instructions on the type, scale, gauge and even livery he would like - how that for detail!
Unfortunatley, it turned out to be a little tricky for us to track Ethan down, and our social media team took on the challenge.
During this time, our Workshop manager saw Ethan's letter and was so moved that he knew he had to do something to make this little boy's wish come true. You will see from the images below that he did just that, and in a few short days, Ethan's multiple unit came to life!
A Märklin ICE3 made the perfect canvas once it was primed.
The bodies were masked up, and the livery began to become reality.
The livery continues to be applied.
From idea to reality, the project is complete.
Just over a week after we first put our plea to help us find Ethan, we received an email from Ethan's mum.
We don't want to share the full contents as some of it is personal; however, we were truly moved and found out that Ethan has a very keen interest in railways and their model forms. You will see that the livery has been applied to an ICE train, which Ethan recently took a trip on!
With that, we shipped off the new multiple-unit to its new home. To say Ethan was pleased is a bit of an understatement, and we are delighted to know that it is already running round on his model railway, we can't wait to see what he comes up with next!
British Model Railway Announcements
This year, Train-Tech is pleased to expand their Buffer Stop Light range with new TT Scale options
Train-Tech buffer stop lights add a realistic and visually striking finishing touch to any model railway layout. Designed for easy installation, these lights simply clip into most standard TT Scale track and automatically illuminate when power is applied.
Bachmann Celebrates Thomas the Tank Engine
It’s been 80 years since Reverend W. Awdry first published his book The Three Railway Engines, which became the first entry in The Railway Series, and which was later adapted for television as Thomas & Friends™.
Bachmann Latest Releases: 4th June 2025
Take a look at the recent releases from Bachmann. These have just been released, so if they are not already in stock, they will be soon!
Hornby Recent Releases: 5th June 2025
Take a look through the recent releases from Hornby. These items have been recently released by the manufacturer, and if they are not already in stock, they will be soon.
Dapol Announce: New Stroudley Coaches
In keeping with Dapol's commitment to produce as many of their products in the UK as possible, they are delighted to announce the launch of the fourth production run of Stroudley 4-wheel coaches.
Dapol P&D JHA Hoppers In Stock Now
In stock now from Dapol are their new range of P&D wagons, including middle and end hopper variations.
Graham Farish Latest Releases: 4th June 2025
Take a look at the recent releases from Graham Farish. These have just been released, so if they are not already in stock, they will be soon!
Continental Railway Announcements
LGB Announcements: Summer 2025 New Items
LGB have announced their new items for the Summer 2025 range. This is the perfect time of year to start laying the foundations for a garden railways and why not take the opportunity to preorder one of these fantastic new items.
LGB Releases: May 2025
LGB have announced all the new items that were released in May. These will be arriving with us soon, so make sure you have your pre-orders in now.
Märklin have announced all the new items that were released in May.
These will be arriving with us soon, so make sure you have your pre-orders in now.
Trix have announced all the new items that were released in May.
Trix have announced all the new items that were released in May. These will be arriving with us soon, so make sure you have your pre-orders in now.
Minitrix have announced all the new items that were released in May.
Minitrix have announced all the new items that were released in May. These will be arriving with us soon, so make sure your have your pre-orders in now.
End of the Line
That's the end of the line for this week. We will be back next week with another packed edition of Main Lines
Until then,
Happy Modelling!
Before You Go...
If you are interested in modelling beyond the railways, why not check out one of our sister publications? Published monthly, check your email preferences to subscribe!
KITS & BITS
Your Monthly Model Kit Newsletter
Published First Friday of the Month
This newsletter will focus on everything plastic kit related, including news from Airfix, Tamiya, and Revell.
PIT STOP
Your Monthly Slot Car Newsletter
Published Second Sunday of the Month
This newsletter will focus on everything slot car related, including news from Scalextric, SCX and Carrera.
THE CABINET
Your Monthly Collectables Newsletter
Published Third Thursday of the Month
This newsletter will focus on everything collectables related, including Corgi, Oxford, and Herpa.