MiniArt has released a good number of diorama type products recently; two of these offerings consist of European Gauge Rail Track and Rail Track with Dead Ends. As I look at these two releases I can see them being a great display aspect or story line in a diorama with armour crossing the line or even resistance fighter setting a charge. Now these items could also be used as what they are, rail line and one of the many trains displayed on them.
Contents
Both of these offerings from MiniArt are supplied in cardboard trays with separate card lids. The contents break down as follows. Railway Track European Gauge
8 grey sprues
Railway Track with Dead End
8 grey sprues
Review
The Railway Track European Gauge offering from MiniArt has been supplied with a good quantity of track, and I have to say looking at it I am quite impressed with what is offered. The rail track lengths are 172mm or 6 and ¾ inches; so you get with this offering 68.8cm or 27 inches of track that can be split as desired by the modeller. The tracks are supplied with 10 wooden sleepers per length and while there are only 5 different styles of sleeper wood pattern you can reverse them, which creates 10 wood patterns: you can of course add some detail of your own in order to add further differences. The fish plates are nicely detailed and supplied as separate parts, an aspect I approve of.
The Railway Track with Dead End that has also been made available by MiniArt consists of two of the lengths of track from the set above and a single end of track line blocker. The iron work for the end of the line stop has been well replicated; with aged paint and some rust work this really should look very eye catching. What I do like about this offering is that MiniArt has done a very good job of hiding any ejection marks. This product will again make for a nice diorama element, at least I know I like the idea of it.
Conclusion
These two track offerings are unusual in that I cannot think of any lows to the products, there is a good quantity of track in the pure track offering and it is well designed and presented. The track end offering only has the one element, but again makes for a nice diorama element. Regardless of why you invest in this product I do feel you will be happy with its quality and look.
SUMMARY
Highs: A good quantity of the straight track sections and both sets will make pleasing elements in a diorama or for displaying 1/35th scale train models.Lows: The only low I can come up with is that these are listed as European gauge track, I know that during WW2 and up to the 1980’s there was no single track gauge across Europe. Verdict: Two great products for the diorama addict and rail modeller.
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About Darren Baker (CMOT) FROM: ENGLAND - SOUTH WEST, UNITED KINGDOM
I have been building model kits since the early 70’s starting with Airfix kits of mostly aircraft, then progressing to the point I am at now building predominantly armour kits from all countries and time periods. Living in the middle of Salisbury plain since the 70’s, I have had lots of opportunitie...
Very good looking injection molded track. It looks like the rails slip through the tie plates - very efficient. I am glad they did not try to mold ballast since there are so many good products out there, even those scaled to 1/35 (Armor35).
Well, the only exceptions to the European standard gauge of 1435 mm were and are Russia/Soviet Union, Finland, Spain and Portugal, so you can use this track set for almost anything inbetween.
There are a number of narrow gauge lines, but except for the Balkans and parts of Switzerland, these never played any significant role.
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