IN BUSINESS Kinky characters for model railway
HATTON’S Model Railways in Widnes is selling some very risqué figurines for rail fans.
Anyone thinking of kitting out their collection out with something a little saucy, could find these x-rated figures right up their red-light-districtstreet.
The steamy train accessories show tiny couples having sex, miniature doggers, prostitutes, peeping Toms and nudists – as well as amorous pigs.
Hatton’s recently moved out of its Smithdown Road home it held for 70 years to relocate to bigger premises in Widnes and have the raunchy collections available on their website.
The packs are part of a series named ‘sexy scenes’, and are manufactured by German firm Noch.
The website states that there is only limited stock but are ‘available for immediate order’.
They are not the only ones selling the naughty 5p-sized models.
Peter’s Spares in the Brighouse Business Village, Middlesborough, have said they are flying off the shelves and are finding it hard to keep up with demand for people wanting an erotic corner for their model railways.
Manager Martin Bunning told the Middlesbrough Gazette Live: “It’s shocking the amount of detail they put in.
“We have had people come in here and buy one of each as they want to construct quite a vulgar hotel.
“They have been around for quite some time, but they are a very popular seller.
“Noch actually make a scene, which I think is called the Red Light.
“The Germans tend to be a little more liberal with these sort of things!”
And their saucy nature is in sharp contrast to how model railway collectors are traditionally viewed.
But for 43-year-old Martin, it shows that the pastime is moving on with ● the times.
“Most people who see model railway fans see us anoraks who just take numbers down,” he admitted.
“But one of the things about model railway fans is that we strive for realism.”
So while there will always be a place for scenery, trees, and bridges, more and more kits – such as ‘sexy scenes’ – are being produced to better reflect the modern world and are available for all your rail enthusiasts now from Hatton’s Widnes store.
Norman Hatton founded the store in 1946, originally selling everything from firewood to bric-a-brac until it became a specialist model train shop in the mid1950s.
The first shop was at number 182 Smithdown before it moved to the larger corner premises at number 364.
Hatton’s has continued to expand over the years - from just six original staff members in 1999 to 64 working today.
The company made £14m last year, £12m of which came from internet sales.