Hints, tips and products for model train and railway enthusiasts.
The best aid to help see when your eyesight fades
It happens to us all. Some sooner, some later. But it happens. [more]
DCC Sound Speaker Comparison – make your locos sound better
Adding sound chips to your locos makes a world of difference to a layout but not all model train speakers are created equal as Richard Croft from Road and Rails finds out.
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Summer Heatwave: How to recreate the tortured sunburnt fields of 2018 in model form
Do something different with your model railway scenery and landscape and create the 2018 summer heat wave in miniature. [...]
FREE model railway card building kits
Looking for a cheap way to get buildings for your model railway? Paper and card building kits are simple to make, realistic and best of all there are lots of them available [...]
Add cropmarks to your fields and add novelty and realism to your layout: sunday scribbles
Here's a quick little tip to add realism and uniqueness to your layout. [...]
Building Bridges: How to make bridges for your model railway
Want a bridge on your model railway? There's more to it than you might think. [...]
Instant inspiration – modellers to follow on Instagram
I'm a BIG fan of Instagram. I find it a huge source of inspiration for my modeling and there are some really great folks there happy to share and suggest ideas. Here's my list [...]
Puzzled by Paints? Model Making Painting Basics 1: Acrylics – what you need to know
Acrylic paints are one of the most popular types of paint used for model making but what's the difference between the different makes, the varnishes, and thinners; when would [...]
How to outmanoeuvre the carpet monster
In the threads of my carpet lives a monster. [...]
A stable aid to let you keep modelling when your hands shake
If tremors and shakes are keeping you away from your model making, this handy accessory will be a game changer for your modelling. [...]
Baseboard backache be gone! Work under your layout in comfort with this handy aid
Car mechanics and model railways don't usually make great bedfellows but here's one garage accessory you might want to consider. [...]
Light up with Magnets – How to easily and flexibly illuminate your buildings
A simple technique for wiring your buildings for lighting while still allowing them to be easily moved and worked on.
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Solar Shed Power – how to harness the power of mother nature for convenient and efficient power
Need power for your shed or garage layout, workshop and workbench? Here's how to harness mother nature. [...]
Make your own mini-power sander: Sunday Scribbles
Here's a cheap way to make a useful mini-sander, ideal for smoothing edges of plastic models that are too delicate or small for typical off-the-shelf sanders. [...]
Stuck for space for your model railway? Here’s one uplifting solution
Stuck for space for your layout? Here's one modeller's solution. [...]
The undercover model railway: reader question
Regular reader Ed recently contacted me with an unusual question so I thought I'd throw it out to the Model Railway Engineer community. [...]
The number one tip for successful DCC upgrades: Sunday Scribbles
Want great running DCC conversions of your analogue trains? He's an often overlooked tip that will dramatically improve DCC conversion performance. [...]
What is Z gauge: Six things you’ll want to know before starting
If you're itching to build a model railway but don't have space, Z gauge is the answer. Here's a quick primer on what you need to know to get started. [...]
In a Galaxy Far, Far Away model railways are mono rail. Why not here?
Where are the monorail model railways?
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How to make scenic cement: my foolproof 3 part recipe for the best ground cover
There's a lot of misunderstanding around scenic glue but it's surprisingly simple once you know how to make it. [...]
And it goes clickety-clack, clickety-clack
If you watch and listen to any real railway you notice a particular noise. [...]
