Model train tips and techniques

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

The six must-have Dremel Bits & accessories for model train enthusiasts

Tools

Don’t Get Derailed

Getting crafty with track: Ballast Collection with Polymer Clay

Polymer clay,track cleaning

How to re-fix stickers on old rolling stock

Glue,Q&A

Spaghetti free wiring

Wiring

Background scenic sounds

Sound

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War game & diorama scenery tips

Rivers, ponds, hills, roads, fields, trees and grass making tips and techniques to help you make landscape and scenery for table top war games (Warhammer, Malifaux, Warlord Games etc), model railways and dioramas.

What’s the best paint for expanded Polystyrene / Styrofoam

Diorama,Polystyrene foam boards,Q&A

The definitive guide to making model scenery

Landscape

Six simple steps you can use to make glorious model mud

Diorama,Miniatures,Mud

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,War game terrain & buildings

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Scale modelling & mini painting 

From Airfix and Dark Sword to Tamiya and Warhammer, bring your scale models and miniatures to life with these painting tips and tutorials.

The best head magnifier

Tools

Best Static grass applicator – which is best, applicators reviewed and rated for 2023

Static Grass

EPS Foam or XPS Foam – which is best for diorama making

Polystyrene foam boards,styrofoam

Top 7 most common polymer clay mistakes to avoid

Polymer clay

How NOT to clean your paintbrushes

Painting

Handle with care: the parts of a paint brush and how to clean them

Painting

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From the archives

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

Spaghetti free wiring

Electrics

Background scenic sounds

Electrics,Model Railways

Never Use These Three Materials For Your Baseboard

Baseboards

Model train wiring for dummies

Electrics

How to attach wires to model train track

Electrics,Model Railways,Trackwork

Signalling – Basics: Point Roding

Track planning

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Model train track tips

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

Don’t Get Derailed

Getting crafty with track: Ballast Collection with Polymer Clay

Polymer clay,track cleaning

How to attach wires to model train track

Q&A,Soldering

Is cork underlay needed for track?

Cork

Signalling – Basics: Point Roding

Signalling

A prototype inglenbook track plan

Inglenook

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From the workbench

Workbench updates, layout progress and show reports, engineering projects and life in the man-cave.

MRE still on track?

Taking a new tool for a spin

Diary of a miniaturist

The gimlet hand-tool, what is it and why you need one

Old-Hand-Tools

Keeping your shed, cabin, garage warm in Winter

Shed

Making a model derelict barn

Corrugated roofing

Making miniature pumpkins

Air Drying Clay

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Reviews   

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

The best head magnifier

Tools

Best Static grass applicator – which is best, applicators reviewed and rated for 2023

Static Grass

Best stripping tool for bus wiring

Model Railway Electrics,Q&A Electrics,Tools,Wiring

Don’t let model making put you in hospital

Accessories,Diary of a miniaturist

The best model railway controllers for DC / Analogue layouts

Controllers

The Best Ballasting Tool For N Gauge Model Railways

N Gauge

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Diary of a miniaturist   

Taking a new tool for a spin

When old and cherished hand tools meet the ease, speed and convenience of a modern ...

I didn’t mean to do that

How working on the model river lead to flooding one of my points with masking ...

Don’t let model making put you in hospital

It won’t do for me. Now. Updated:Wednesday, February 22, 2023 ...

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