Model Railway Features
Static Grass Tufts
Making your own static grass tufts can be a rewarding detailing exercise and offers something different to mass produced items? We show you how simple it is to make and use grass tufts.
BR Liveries: Sectorisation to Privatisation
In the 1980s British Railways was coming under considerable pressure from the country’s politicians to stem its losses. One of the most radical changes made was the splitting of the railways into sectors and the abandonment of regional boundaries. The changes lead to an explosion of new liveries, as EVAN GREEN-HUGHES relates.
EVAN GREEN-HUGHES
How to install DCC Concepts Powerbase on gradients
Gradients have always posed a problem to model railway builders. MIKE WILD tackles the subject using DCC Concepts Powerbase equipment to install two gradients on our much modified ‘N’ gauge office test track, with impressive results.
MIKE WILD
Weathering a GWR '64XX' 0-6-0PT
TIM SHACKLETON gives the Bachmann 'OO' gauge ‘64XX’ 0-6-0PT a convincing oily rag finish that recaptures childhood memories.
TIM SHACKLETON
The GWR ‘64XX’0-6-0PTs
The Great Western stood alone amongst the railways of the British Isles in its widespread use of ‘Pannier’ tank locomotives. EVAN GREEN-HUGHES takes a close look at the ‘64XXs’, and finds out what made this small class different from the rest.
EVAN GREEN-HUGHES
Updating the Hattons KWA Warwell
TIM SHACKLETON widens the scope of Hatton’s new KWA Warwell in a bid to bring it into line with 21st century military strategy.
TIM SHACKLETON
EQUIPMENT GUIDE: Rolling Roads
If you don’t have a continuous run layout, running in new models can be a challenge. However, a number of suppliers offer rolling roads to achieve this. MARK CHIVERS evaluates some of the more popular options.
MARK CHIVERS
Making Buildings from Scratch – Part Three
Building on the techniques of his new series, MALCOLM BRIGGS shows how to build a shop in ‘OO’ gauge ready for later interior fitting.
MALCOLM BRIGGS
Creating a unique wagon load in 'OO' gauge
TIM SHACKLETON recreates a rare sight on the rails which could occasionally have been seen almost anywhere - a wagon loaded with Invacars - in ‘OO’ gauge.
TIM SHACKLETON
MAKING A SCENE: Creating a railway cutting
Cuttings can offer an extra dimension to a layout, and provide visual variety. DAN EVASON shows how to create a simple scene in ‘OO’ gauge step by step.
DAN EVESON
RAILWAY REALISM: The British Royal Trains
The coronation of a new king in May will bring to the public’s attention one of the more unusual trains on our network, the Royal Train, which has been transporting our monarchs around the country now for almost 200 years. EVAN GREEN-HUGHES looks into its history.
EVAN GREEN-HUGHES
FAQ: Learning digital command control
We look to the enthralling world of Digital Command Control. MARK CHIVERS considers some of the terminology and jargon you may encounter along the way answering some of the most frequently asked questions.
MARK CHIVERS
Direct Rail Services Class 37s
Although they were one of the earliest British Railways diesel classes which could well have faded into history by now, Cumbrian operator Direct Rail Services has used them for many years. Now though, their seemingly charmed existence looks to be coming to an end, as EVAN GREEN-HUGHES reports.
EVAN GREEN-HUGHES
Class 08 Diesel Shunters
The Class 08 diesel shunters are amongst the most successful locomotives ever to run on Britain’s railways – yet they are often ignored by enthusiasts and modellers. EVAN GREEN-HUGHES argues this is a situation which should change.
EVAN GREEN-HUGHES
BUILDING A DIESEL DEPOT - THE BACKSCENES
In the third instalment of our diesel depot series, MIKE WILD explains how the backscenes were fitted and how the depot was detailed to create a realistic scene.
MIKE WILD
FAQ: Where to house your model railway
Looking for the best place to build your model railway? We highlights five of the best locations around the average home.
REALITY CHECK: Western Region Blue Pullmans
Remembered by many as the high point of the 1950s modernisation of British Railways, the Blue Pullman trains set new standards of comfort and design, yet had a short and unhappy life, with much of it spent by necessity on the Western Region. EVAN GREEN-HUGHES explains all.
EVAN GREEN-HUGHES
Heritage traction on the main line
Trains operated by individuals or small private companies have, for more than 50 years, provided a welcome variation to what we can normally see in everyday service. EVAN GREEN-HUGHES looks at how these workings came about and explains how they could provide variety on almost any post-1960s layout.
EVAN GREEN-HUGHES
FAQ: Railway Modelling Essentials
To help you get started in railway modelling we answer those most common Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on essential modelling techniques and ideas. MARK CHIVERS discusses the hot topic of what type of layout you should build.
MAKING A SCENE: Building a low relief Bus Depot
Low relief buildings are an excellent means of suggesting depth to a model railway where space is at a premium. DAN EVASON creates a unique bus depot scene in ‘OO’ gauge.
DAN EVASON
Development of the ‘Pacific’ steam locomotive
For enthusiasts and modellers one of the best-known types of steam locomotive is the ‘Pacific’, a design that once dominated express services in Britain and produced the fastest steam locomotives ever to run on our tracks. EVAN GREEN-HUGHES investigates how the 4-6-2 developed and why it was to prove so successful.
EVAN GREEN-HUGHES
Heljan Class 58 digital sound installation guide
The range of speakers available to sound installers is far greater than ever before. MIKE WILD investigates the use of Smart Phone speakers in a Heljan Class 58 using a LokSound decoder.
MIKE WILD
Installing Hornby’s Mk 3 Maglights
Hornby’s latest generation Mk 3 carriages have been designed with the manufacturer’s new magnetic switched lighting strips in mind. MIKE WILD adds a full set to a Blue Pullman HST set in ‘OO’ gauge.
MIKE WILD
TransPennine Express Mk 5 weathering guide
With the deftest of touches, TIM SHACKLETON breathes fresh life into some of the most outstanding models yet released in ’OO’ gauge.
TIM SHACKLETON
Model railway planning: A Fresh Look
Rather than building a new layout to replace one you're happy with, PAUL LUNN argues that changing the scene can be just as enjoyable - and much cheaper.
PAUL LUNN
Great Central Railway ‘A5’ 4-6-2T
Built originally for heavy suburban traffic out of London Marylebone station, the ‘A5’ 4-6-2Ts spread their wings to all corners of the London and North Eastern Railway’s system. EVAN GREEN-HUGHES looks into the history of this long extinct class.
EVAN GREEN-HUGHES
Beeching – reshaping the railway
While the Beeching report of 60 years ago is best remembered for the closure of a third of our railway network, it proposed investment and improvement in some areas, particularly freight and long-distance passenger services. Some of these proposals were then seen as radical, but were they as original as generally thought? EVAN GREEN-HUGHES set out to find out.
EVAN GREEN-HUGHES
DIGITAL PROGRESSION
Technology is always on the move and specialist model railway decoder manufacturer ZIMO is no exception. MIKE WILD discovers what this Austrian brand’s latest MS series sound decoders have to offer.
iTRAIN software for model railways
Digital Command Control systems are available in many forms, including the ability for full automation of a layout. One such system is iTrain Layout Control, as MARK CHIVERS explains.
MARK CHIVERS
DCC Concepts Zen Decoder family
DCC Concepts’ Zen decoder collection offers a comprehensive and flexible system with the option to add plug-and-play stay alives. MIKE WILD reviews the range.