A static mainline is a dummy mainline track on a viaduct or embankment that spans the width of a smallish baseboard. It is used as a scene-break to hide the other side of the baseboard, but, as it doesn't go anywhere, it's generally not...

If you are wondering what model you should choose as a gift for someone, it would suggest two things, firstly, you are a really nice person and secondly, you are not absolutely sure what the lucky recipient would like.Sub-interests within a...

British locomotive classes 44, 45 and 46 were an early design of diesel-electric locomotive intended for mainline passenger duties. They were built between 1959 and 1963 and collectively became known as 'Peaks' thanks to early locomotives being...

The name 'Crab' is a nickname given to a type of 2-6-0, mixed-traffic, steam locomotive built by the LMS between 1926 and 1932. In total 245 Crabs were produced at Horwich and Crewe works and were considered to be a successful design of locomotive...

Most Airfix kits do not include any paint or glue, if you are not used to making models this may seem like a bit of a con, but there is a valid reason for the absence of these important materials and that is that most modellers have very different...

If you've ever shopped for a soldering iron, you'll know that there's a wide range of soldering irons available from 15 watts to 60 watts and sometimes higher. This can present you with a head-scratching choice when shopping for one, you can...

AWS stands for Automatic Warning system. It's a device fitted to British trains since the 1950s to warn drivers that they're approaching a signal. Originally AWS alerted drivers only to distance signals set to caution but was later developed to...

A scale model is a smaller recreation or representation of a real-life object or thing, this could be anything from a plane, boat, car or train to buildings, figures or trees. There is no limit to what a scale model can portray.How small a...

Bridge identification signs have been used for many years but didn't become commonplace until around 1999. Their function is to provide a reference number for bridges where a road passes underneath a railway (underbridge). The signs ensure that...

Although there are many different types of buffer stops, they can be primarily separated into two types, fixed or friction.Fixed buffer stops are a type of permanently fixed railway buffer that won't move or absorb energy when a train makes...

If you have never built a model railway before then it may not be obvious how to supply your model railway tracks with power. Starter packs provide all the equipment, connections and instructions needed for a new modeller to get started, however,...

A conventional baseboard for a model railway consists of some legs supporting a wooden framework finished off with a nice flat top surface on which we can build our layout.An open-top baseboard is similar in the respect that it has legs...