Make. Paint. Build: Hints, tips and advice for model train enthusiasts, model makers and miniaturists
Model Buildings
How to assemble, make and paint scale model buildings and structures for railway modellers, dioramas, fine scale modelling and war gaming.
Unlock your inner architect: making exquisite polymer clay model houses
With creativity, patience, and a dash of imagination, polymer clay artist Beni Grob makes diminutive model railway dwellings.
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Making a model derelict barn
Making a scratch built barn to hide the fiddle yard entrance on the layout was a lot of fun. [...]
Handy station building resource
A goldmine for station modellers. [...]
Vintage Signs For Your Layout
Looking for vintage advertising artwork for shop signs and posters on your layout or diorama? This is a fantastic resource.
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Making an entrance
Progress update on my temporary mini diorama / model railway layout and how I'm making the timber mine entrance. [...]
Make a realistic thatched roof
Living in Surrey, I see a lot of thatched roofs. There's no denying their beauty. But recreating them in miniature for a model railway or diorama is [...]
Holding foam board and plasticard in place when gluing
When making buildings from either foam board, plasticard (styrene sheet) or card - such as Metcalfe kits - a common problem is how to hold the various pieces [...]
FREE model railway card building kits, updated for 2023
Looking for free 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 [...]
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. [...]
Garden Railway Buildings – The Best Materials To Use
"Honey, do we have money in the railroad budget for replacing the movie theatre building"?
Why do we need to replace it, it's only three years [...]
What glue to use to stick tinfoil: Sunday Scribbles
What's the best glue to stick Aluminium (tin) foil? It makes great corrugated roofing but how to glue it? [...]
How to fix your buildings down without fixing them down
If you're still building a layout and continually moving buildings around while working on it, this is for you. [...]
Plant your buildings – Manic Monday Tip #2
Another quick job that can be carried out on your model railway when time is tight. [...]
Scratch Build: Slate Roofs
Most model railways are seen from above so roofs are one of the most important aspects but making realistic, credible, roofs is a skill that escapes many. [...]
How to make your own stone bridge.
Want a stone bridge on your railway? You could go and buy a plastic kit... Or you follow these 7 steps and make you own. [...]
Adding realism to your plastic buildings
Plastic kits make it easy to add buildings to your layout but they often lack the finishing touch and can look like fake. Here's an incredibly quick and easy [...]
Where darkness resides
Adding internal lighting to the buildings on a layout is increasingly easy and growing in popularity amongst railway modellers but if you've done it you'll [...]
How To Make A Cornwall Tin Mine
I'm now getting to one of the two main focal points and most demanding model making elements of Landreath, my Cornwall mine themed model railway. Here's [...]
Build An Authentic Coal Staithe In 5 Steps
No steam model railway is complete without a coal yard. Here's how to get make and paint your own staithe in 5 easy steps.
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Achieving An Authentic Finish For Model Railway Buildings
Looking to add a stunningly detailed and authentic finish to your buildings? Get your paintbrushes ready...
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