Outbuildings come in a variety of roofing styles and many can be modelled quite easily and cheaply with materials that might be readily at hand. Many modellers scratch-build buildings for a layout or diorama, or wish to add a little more texture...

Periodically, it is good practice to clean the wheels of locomotives as they can pick up dirt, grease and other contaminants over time. These contaminants, if left unchecked can hinder the electrical connectivity between the track and the...

Stretched sprue is a modelling technique frequently used by modellers that can be utilised to create a number of additional parts and effects for models. On most injection moulded plastic kits the parts will be provided on a series of plastic...

Ballast Magic is a non-toxic powder-based adhesive specially formulated to allow ballast granules or coal to be secured onto a layout. As this is a powder-based adhesive it avoids the likelihood of points being glued in one position which...

Razor saws are frequently used by modellers for cutting a number of different materials including light woods such as balsa. Inevitably, with continued use, these blades can go dull, so it is important to look after them to aid longevity. One of...

One of the perennial problems of being a modeller is that our models or layouts sometimes become very efficient dust traps or adventure playgrounds for household spiders and other unseen denizens lurking in the shadows. There are many ways to deal...

Fuel drums are a great feature to add to a layout or diorama that can help add realistic scene elements. One way to create additional fuel drums is to use an existing plastic kit part as a template. Take strips of tin foil suitably cut to the...

Model railways have long been used as a tool for studying and understanding the complex systems and networks involved in transportation logistics and supply chain management. Through the use of miniature trains and track layouts, researchers and...

Modellers work with a wide variety of substances when producing models or layouts. The most common are forms of injection moulded plastic, such as styrene. Other kits can be produced using resin parts. Resin offers the manufacturer the ability to...

Realistic Water is a product that is manufactured by Woodland Scenics. It has been specifically designed to allow modellers to create realistic-looking water effects on a layout or diorama. It is usually supplied in a 16 fl oz bottle and is a...

Ejector pin marks are distinctive, consistently sized circular effects that can appear on the surface of model parts. These are an inevitable part of the manufacturing process used by manufacturers to help eject plastic sprues and other parts from...

Some modellers may wish to create specific effects to a layout to help create that specific seasonal effect. There are a lot of products available to help create various effects but these can be expensive to purchase in bulk and time-consuming to...