Using several shades will add more realism to your layout and create depth. This is how trees are in real life: when you are next going past some trees, stop and take a look at the different shades of green, even take some photographs for...

It sounds like you are using a clear two-part casting resin, which although very smelly when mixing and setting, is a good medium for creating rivers. I would say that when mixing the resin, not enough hardener went in. You may be able to...

Ballast can be either colour. If you are creating a layout of a prototype line then you should try and stick as close to the real thing as possible, the stone would have come from a local quarry so the colour of ballast would change from region...

There are several ways to improve traction on those steep gradients. Below are a few ways to try. Consist: This method uses two or three engines joined together in a row. This is what is done in real life to pull very heavy loads. This is very...

It is difficult to say whether Peco or Hornby is better as it depends which criterion you are looking at. Peco sleepers are brown while Hornby are black. Which one is best is a matter of personal preference. If you want code 75 or electrofrogs,...

There is no problem mixing flexible and set track together you could even mix different manufacturers as well. They are all compatible with the same thickness rails and the same distance between rails so they will fit together. You may find that...

There are many reasons for derailments most of which can be remedied at the track laying stage of building your layout. By simply using a rake of two or three coaches, some of these can be avoided. By pushing the coaches around the track (no...

When trying to produce a metallic look to your figures rather than just adding a silver colour, try building up the colour. With chain mail, first give the area a base coat of black making sure you get the paint in to all those dimples. Then when...

This is quite straight forward as there are no real instructions on fitting 6-pin decoder. If you find that your loco won't run, try inserting the other way up, this should do the trick. Usually there is a small dot identifying pin number one on...

When it comes to value for money the complete train set has to be the way to go. With a typical train set, you will get: a controller, a locomotive, coaches or wagons depending on which set you go for and enough track to create a fair-sized oval....

When gluing parts, it is best to hold them in place especially if it is a large area you need to join together, such as the two parts of a fuselage of a model aircraft for example. Add your glue sparingly to the joins, taking care not to go too...

In theory, yes you can add smoke to your engines regardless of whether you are running analogue or DCC. You will need to get yourself a smoke generator which is fitted inside the body of your engine and connected to the pickups of the train, you...