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Q&A
All your most common questions about model railways are answered here by Andy and expert contributors to MRE.
How big (or small) are N gauge trains: photos and dimensions
If you are thinking about getting an N gauge train you might be concerned about how small (or large) they are? Are they too small see or handle? How do they [...]
The Best Thickness For Plywood Model Railway Baseboards
What thickness of plywood is best for a model railway baseboard? [...]
How many inches in height do I need for my incline
Confused about inclines and how many inches you need to raise your track to go over other track? Here's what you need to know. [...]
Black, grey or white: What colour to use for plastic model primer
There's a lot of debate about what colour to use as a primer and undercoating on models and miniatures but for me the answer is simple. [...]
Is Z scale smaller than N scale
N and Z scales are the two smallest widely available model train scales, but which is smaller? [...]
How long is an N scale Mile?
How many feet will you need to recreate one mile in N gauge and how to work around the space challenge. [...]
How to fill gaps between your rails
If you've ever laid track and found you have an unsightly gap between two sections here's an easy little trick to conceal it and help your trains run easier. [...]
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. [...]
How to clean model train wheels, fixing a train that stops and starts. UPDATED for 2024
You've found it. Abandoned in your childhood, a long-forgotten Hornby loco has been rediscovered. A childhood memory is reborn. You dust it off and plant it on [...]
How To Make Your Own Rerailer – Z, N or OO gauge
This is a creative DIY tip for making your own portable rerailer is almost too simple. [...]
Track Cleaning: How to clean track, the 2024 definitive guide
Here's a little secret. [...]
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. [...]
How to easily fit rail joiners perfectly, everytime
It's undoubtedly one of the most frustrating, annoying, downright infuriating jobs in constructing a layout. My fingers bleed and I've ruined track ends doing [...]
How to work with Styrofoam and polystyrene
Styrofoam and Polystyrene are amongst my favourite landscape construction materials. [...]
How to Fit SEEP Point Motors
How to fit SEEP point motors. Michael Campbell details his approach. [...]
How I Now Make My Own Plaster Cloth For Hills, Tunnels and Landscapes
I'm a huge fan of plaster cloth. It's messy, it works and it's super satisfying but it also costs. Until now. [...]
How I keep my track clean
You can't stop your model railway track getting dirty but it doesn't have to cost a lot to keep it clean and your trains running smoothly. Here's what I do. [...]
How one modeller joins track across boards
How to join track across baseboard sections is one of the most common questions I get asked here on ModelRailwayEngineer. Here's an interesting technique one [...]
Model Railway Backscene, what is it
What is a model railway backscene? Find the answer here in the Internet's biggest model railway glossary. [...]
How model trains work
Tom Hanks, Elton John and Phil Collins have them and Rod Stewart reportedly hires whole hotel rooms when on tour to play with them. Yep, model railways are a [...]