Make. Paint. Build: Tips and tutorials for model train enthusiasts, modellers and miniature painters.
Projects
Progress reports, track plans, tips and updates from the construction of my model railways. Includes N, OO and 009 gauge layouts. Based on railways in Cornwall and a 1980s Network South East themed railway.
A new loco
I wasn't going to miss this. The limited edition Hornby Merton.
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Hidden Away – the genesis of a quick mini project
Hidden away behind a wall of trees, perched half way up a hillside, on the banks of Tamar in deepest Devon, is a small railway.
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Tri-ang Merton Factory
One of my layouts, the Wandle Valley, will feature the old Tri-ang factory in Merton. Sadly, the building is no longer there which makes modelling it difficult [...]
Rebuild, revise or carry on?
Well that's annoying. [...]
Railway in a box, Hobbit vineyard
A while back I acquired a wine box. I was about to throw it out when I idea struck me. [...]
Cornwall Continued…
As long term readers of MRE will know, I've got a bit of a thing about Cornwall and it's where the first element of my bigger layout is being based on. [...]
£35 Model Railway Update: Building the buildings and cliff face
It's been a while, too long, but here's an update on my £35 model railway challenge project. [...]
The £35 model railway challenge: project history
In the summer of 2017, I set myself a challenge to see if a model railway could be built for £35. [...]
Railways in a box, the £35 project update
More haste, less speed.
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Can it really be done? Project Update
It seemed like a good idea... But then reality came knocking. [...]
The £35 model railway challenge
Can a working model railway be built for £35? I'm going to try and I'll give £100 to charity if I fail. [...]
The Name Game
Looking for a realistic British name for your model railway. Here's 200 to get you started. [...]
Third Rail Tips
Building a modern era electric track layout? Wondering about that third rail? Here are a few tips to get you started. [...]
Progress update: Wandle Valley Railway
It's all go for my new layout, the shed is sorted; baseboards are down and the layout design complete. The track plan however... That's another story.
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What is EM Gauge track and why I’m using it on my new layout
If you read my last post and were intrigued by the reference to EM gauge or have been thinking about moving from OO to EM gauge this is for you. [...]
Announcement
An apology, time for something new and a bit of the old.
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Little England or how to model a large area in a small space
If you've been following this blog you'll know I'm working on a big new layout. But creating England, from Margate to Penzance, in miniature is anything but [...]
Great South Railway – Go Go Go
This is most exciting, important and frankly insane moments in the four years I've been writing Model Railway Engineer.
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Landreath – Model Railway Update
It's been a struggle but I finally have enough field and documentary research for my Cornish mine and have started on the model construction. [...]
St Blazey Model Railway Prototype Pictures – Close Ups
I spent the early May bank holiday week in Cornwall and not being one to miss an opportunity I sneaked off to do some more research on the railway at St Blazey [...]
