Make. Paint. Build: Tips and tutorials for model trains, scale modellers and miniature war games.
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.
Making a model derelict barn
Making a scratch built barn to hide the fiddle yard entrance on the layout was a lot of fun. [...]
Adding animals, update 10
As a break from building construction for the layout, I painted a few more animals that will be live around the railway. [...]
Modelling a smithy, exhibition layout update 9
With the goods shed almost complete, I've moved onto to the smithy. [...]
Finishing touches
I've recently finished another building for my exhibition layout. Well, it'll do for now. [...]
Layout wiring, update 8
For a change I decided not to break anything on my exhibition layout. [...]
I didn’t mean to do that
How working on the model river lead to flooding one of my points with masking fluid! [...]
Making a river, exhibition layout update 7
Starting on the scenery. [...]
A moving waterwheel, update 6
My exhibition layout will feature a mill with turning waterwheel. This article explains the simple electrics behind this. [...]
How to create convincing corners with Plasticard
Plasticard, aka Styrene sheet, is a great material for making buildings but just gluing sheets together can leave you with ugly corners. This article looks at [...]
Building an OO scale mill house, update 5
Building a mill house. [...]
Revision, exhibition layout update 4
With the baseboard construction and track laid down, I've had a chance to plan some of the detail of the layout and typically this highlighted a problem. [...]
Track laying – exhibition layout update 3
Now for the fun part. [...]
Backscene Selection
For me, the backscenes of layouts are critical. [...]
Track planning on modular base boards, update 2
My exhibition layout has been designed with a track plan finalised but track plans for modular baseboards are slightly different to normal layouts. [...]
Making my first exhibition layout, part 1
It was just another email. [...]
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. [...]
