Step by Step Guides

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Class 104 Conversion

TIM SHACKLETON

In a classic piece of hands-on modelling, TIM SHACKLETON takes a brutal-looking selection of saws, files and knives to an elderly Hornby model. In the first part, he tackles the chassis.

TIM SHACKLETON
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Creating a Waterfall

DAN EVASON

For a very different feature on a layout, DAN EVASON shows how to create a stunning waterfall scene in this detailed step by step modelling guide.

DAN EVASON
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The short and winding road

DAN EVASON

A veritable spider’s web of country lanes links villages and farms in the countryside. DAN EVASON shows how to model one in 4mm scale.

DAN EVASON
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LESS IS MORE

TIM SHACKLETON

TIM SHACKLETON takes a scaled-down approach to giving ‘N’ gauge models a life-like finish.

TIM SHACKLETON
Locoman Sounds GWR Manor sound demonstration video. Feature Premium

Speaker upgrade for the Accurascale ‘Manor’

MIKE WILD

Accurascale’s GWR ‘Manor’ 4-6-0 is a superb model, but it left room for improvement in the speaker setup. MIKE WILD shows how he fitted Locoman Sounds’ latest profile for these two-cylinder locomotives together with a speaker upgrade.

MIKE WILD
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MAKING A SCENE: Submerged Spitfire scene

DAN EVASON

DAN EVASON was inspired by a story to create this stunning scene in 4mm scale - which, with adaptation, could be set in any era from the dawn of flight to the present day.

DAN EVASON
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WORKBENCH: Tyne Dock steam finale

TIM SHACKLETON

The Tyne Dock-Consett iron ore circuit has always fascinated modellers. TIM SHACKLETON blends consistency and variety within a nine-wagon rake of KR Models iron-ore hoppers.

TIM SHACKLETON
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MAKING BUILDINGS FROM SCRATCH PART 6

MALCOLM BRIGGS

In the final part of his series, MALCOLM BRIGGS shows how to add the finishing touches to model structures to make them look as realistic as possible.

MALCOLM BRIGGS
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Making a scene: Snow covering tips

MIKE WILD

Recent weather and the arrival of two new steam locomotives with snowploughs in the accessory pack prompted MIKE WILD to give Shortley Bridge’s viaduct scene a quick winter makeover.

MIKE WILD
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Making a Scene: Locomotive Rescue!

DAV EVASON

What do you do with a model beyond repair? DAN EVASON creates a scene of salvation in ‘OO’ scale using in the latest Making a Scene modelling guide.

DAV EVASON
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Cleaning Up Dirtying Down

TIM SHACKLETON

Are you unhappy with factory weathering or unsure what to do about unwanted paint and pigments? If you want to change the appearance of your models, TIM SHACKLETON has the solution.

TIM SHACKLETON
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MAKING A SCENE: Modelling a Pill box

DAN EVASON

As Britain braced for invasion, pill boxes were built to defend the country. DAN EVASON builds a scene in ‘OO’ gauge which also pays homage to a famous and much loved comedy series.

DAN EVASON
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Modelling a three-car Class 205 Thumper DEMU

TIM SHACKLETON

Southern Region Class 205 DEMUs make popular and distinctive models. Ten years after the Bachmann/Kernow model was launched, TIM SHACKLETON adds an extra coach to create an authentic three-car set.

TIM SHACKLETON
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Converting an American station for a British layout

TIM SHACKLETON

Looking outside the usual sources for a building can reap big rewards. TIM SHACKLETON explains how Grosvenor Square’s imposing terminus building came into being using an American outline kit as the basis.

TIM SHACKLETON
Building Grosvenor Square's platforms. Feature Premium

Grosvenor Square: Building platforms

MIKE WILD

There is a myriad of methods and materials which can be used to make model platforms. Mike Wild explains how with a combination of timber, plastic, card, resin and ballast the extensive platforms for Grosvenor Square were built.

MIKE WILD
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Building a low relief backdrop

MIKE WILD

Creating a backdrop to a railway scene doesn’t have to rely on printed or painted backscenes. Mike Wild explains how the low relief scene at the back of Grosvenor Square developed.

MIKE WILD
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Station detailing at Grosvenor Square

MIKE WILD

There are many ways to bring life to a station scene. Mike Wild offers 10 top tips to make your layout’s signature location stand out from the crowd.

MIKE WILD
Grosvenor Square station canopy construction Feature Premium

Grosvenor Square: A roof over our heads

TIM SHACKLETON

Hornby Magazine’s roofing contractor TIM SHACKLETON describes the construction of Grosvenor Square’s imposing overall canopy.

TIM SHACKLETON
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Bricks and Mortar

TIM SHACKLETON

Even empty wagons show traces of the work they do and the loads they carry. TIM SHACKLETON shows how to lay the foundations, using paint and powder as the key building blocks.

TIM SHACKLETON
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MAKING A SCENE: Building a Harbour

DAN EVASON

Railways and harbours complement each other very well. DAN EVASON shows how he built a typical scene in ‘OO’ gauge whose techniques can be used in any scale.

DAN EVASON
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DMU weathering – multiple options

TIM SHACKLETON

Continuing his series on improving models of Diesel Multiple Units, TIM SHACKLETON outlines some innovative methods for weathering first-generation vehicles.

TIM SHACKLETON
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Building a ‘OO9’ micro-layout - Part Two

DAN EVASON

Having completed the base layer and laid the track to his new narrow gauge micro-layout, DAN EVASON adds further fine detail and buildings to the ‘OO9’ pizza-style scene.

DAN EVASON
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'OO' gauge Diesel Multiple Unit upgrades

TIM SHACKLETON

Concentrating on some older 4mm scale Diesel Multiple Units, TIM SHACKLETON looks at ways of bringing them up to something like present day standards.

TIM SHACKLETON
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Building a ‘OO9’ micro layout – Part one

DAN EVASON

With a new influx of models in this narrow gauge scale, DAN EVASON shows how you can create a grand scene the size of a pizza.

DAN EVASON
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How to weather an Accurascale DRS Class 37/4

MIKE WILD

The arrival of the all-new Accurascale Class 37/4s for ‘OO’ gauge prompted MIKE WILD to give DRS-operated 37425 an equally detailed weathered finish. He explains all in this step by step guide.

MIKE WILD
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Building a Permanent Way Depot

DAN EVASON

You’ll often see the ‘orange army’ and their equipment maintaining the railway. DAN EVASON shows how to build a small maintenance depot in ‘OO’ gauge.

DAN EVASON
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Triplex Sound for the Hornby Class 08

MIKE WILD

Hornby’s new Bluetooth Triplex Sound chips provide a simple means of adding stay alive, but can you fit all the components into the Hornby Class 08? MIKE WILD shows how in this step-by-step guide.

MIKE WILD
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Modelling Low Moor Fairburn ‘4MTs' in 'N'

TIM SHACKLETON

TIM SHACKLETON successfully migrates weathering techniques he developed for 4mm scale across to an ‘N’ gauge 2-6-4T.

TIM SHACKLETON
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The Italian Job: Upgrading Lima diesel locomotives

TIM SHACKLETON

Lima produced accurate models for the time which can be acquired very cheaply today. TIM SHACKLETON shows how upgrades to detail and chassis can transform their appearance and operation at a fraction of the cost of a brand-new model.

TIM SHACKLETON
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Dig for Victory

DAN EVASON

If your 1940s layout has houses and gardens in it, the odds are it will have an Anderson shelter amongst the fruit and veg. DAN EVASON unearths a range of techniques to create this fascinating scene.

DAN EVASON