When applying varnish to protect a model's paintwork, you should aim for a finish that exhibits the least amount of texture humanly possible as it will likely be your top and most visible coat.For that reason, it is best to use an airbrush or...

The hairspray chipping technique has been around for decades, but recently it seems to have been rediscovered and is being talked about on many forums. And with good reason too because the effects achievable using the technique are truly...

There are many occasions when modellers need to strip down a model or reclaim parts that have been previously glued together, and the temptation is often to apply a little force, maybe combined with a spot of sharp knife blade wriggling, to try...

If you don't oil your locomotives often enough, gradual wear and tear will eventually turn into quite significant wear and tear, your locomotives will start to run badly and parts could wear out prematurely. However, if you oil your locomotives...

In theory, all decoder brands conform to the same standards so should be compatible with all locomotives (providing the pins match).If you are pondering which decoder to purchase to upgrade a locomotive from DCC ready to DCC, which brand of...

If you are at the stage where you are about to add ballast to your model railway track, ask yourself if you think you will ever (if you don't already) want to operate your turnouts using point motors. If so, then consider installing them first...

When it comes to weathering models successfully, a mixture of techniques, research, products and equipment are all required to achieve desirable effects, and each element is as important as the next. Here we are looking specifically and what types...

There is no real reason why the height clearance of tunnels and bridges on a model railway should conform to any other rules except for making sure that any trains running on the line can pass through without fowling the roof of the tunnel.Of...

There are many stories of cheap alternatives to model railway locomotive lubricants. Unfortunately, there are also many stories about locomotives that have given up on life long before expected. The chances are, the two are linked.A model...

The distance between real parallel railway tracks can vary depending on the line speed, when the track was installed and any infrastructure encountered along the route. If recreating a real location, it is up to you how exacting you are with your...

If you ask forty accomplished modellers which brand of model paint is best, you will get forty different answers. So where do you start if you are a modelling newbie?The truth is, if you are new to modelling, paint will pretty much be paint....

If you don't have an auxiliary port on your controller, but want to power some accessories, what can you do?If that is a problem you are facing right now, you'll be pleased to hear that you have a few options. Firstly, you could buy a...