Model train tips and techniques

Tips and guides to planning, designing, building and maintaining layouts for model trains.

The best head magnifier

Tools

I didn’t mean to do that

Exhibition Layout

Making OO scale model plants and pots

flowers,plants

Hornby’s 2021 range launch

Hornby

Mission impossible: The impossible railway

Setting up my Christmas tree train

Christmas

Model Snowmen: how to make an oo gauge Snowman

Christmas,snowman

Is cork underlay needed for track?

Cork

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Scale modelling & mini painting 

From Airfix and Dark Sword to Tamiya and Warhammer, scale modelling and miniature painting tips and tutorials to help you get the best from your plastic and metal kits and minis.

Making OO scale model plants and pots

flowers,plants

How to make model roses

plants,Valentines Day

A quick & proven method for making modelling putty / paste

Glue

Model Snowmen: how to make an oo gauge Snowman

Christmas,snowman

How to painting horses for wargaming

Miniatures,Painting

Making miniature muddy swamp water bases

Bases

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From the archives

Answers to common model railway construction questions from the MRE archives.

Building Bridges: How to make bridges for your model railway

Model Buildingsbridges,Common Model Railway Q&A

Laying track across baseboard joints

TrackworkCommon Model Railway Q&A,Copper sleepers

Model railway minimum curve conundrum – what’s the smallest radius?

TrackworkCommon Model Railway Q&A,Radius

How To Build Inclines Your Trains Can Climb – Maximum and Recommended Gradients UPDATED

Tunnels, Inclines & CuttingsCommon Model Railway Q&A,inclines

How to ballast a model railway, the definitive guide

Ballasting,Model Railwaysballasting,Common Model Railway Q&A

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Model train track tips

How to plan, lay and wire model train track for all gauges, including Hornby OO.

Is cork underlay needed for track?

TrackworkCork

Signalling – Basics: Point Roding

Track planningSignalling

Track planning on modular base boards

Track planningExhibition Layout,modular basenboards

A prototype inglenbook track plan

Track planningInglenook

Protecting your rails while painting track

TrackworkPainting

The Best Ballasting Tool For N Gauge Model Railways

BallastingN Gauge

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Diorama / scenery modelling guides

Rivers, ponds, hills, roads, fields, trees and grass making tips and techniques to help you make stunning scenery for model railways and dioramas.

The definitive guide to making model scenery

Landscape

Creating landscapes, tips from Constable

Landscape

Legendary railway modeller John H. Ahern’s advice on the best material for landscaping

Landscape

What’s the cheapest way to make wonderful water for your models

Harbour,lake,pond,Wargame Terrain & Buildings,water

How I Now Make My Own Plaster Cloth For Hills, Tunnels and Landscapes

Plaster cloth,Wargame Terrain & Buildings

Cry me a river – layout update

Rivers,water

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Latest articles

Tales from the workbench, show reports, engineering projects and life in the man-cave.

Mission impossible: The impossible railway

Old hand tools: the scratch awl

Old-Hand-Tools

Rails of Sheffield falls out with Hornby

News

A present to myself

man-cave

Organising and storing my paints

Painting

It’s a Grand Design

Fun

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Reviews   

Tools, accessories, trains and models tried, tested and reviewed.

Best stripping tool for bus wiring

Electrics,ReviewsModel Railway Electrics,Tools,Wiring

Best Ballast Spreader for N, OO and HO track in 2021

Ballasting,Reviews

Masters Brush Cleaner, review

Model Making,ReviewsPainting

A rotating tool holder, it’s not what you might expect

Reviews

A stable aid to let you keep modelling when your hands shake

Model Making,ReviewsTools

Review Märklin 81701 Z Gauge Train Starter Set

Model Trains,Reviews,UncategorizedZ Gauge

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