Model Railway

Hornby model railways are OO Scale or 1/76th that is 4 millimetres to the foot (12 inches). It runs on a track with a gauge of 16.5mm (this is the gap between the inside edges of the track). This is one of the most popular scales to model with...

For wargaming figures, a small coin or washer glued to the under side of the base will usually to do the job. This may also work for larger static based models. However if you are going to be weighting your rolling stock or a plane, a more...

Yes, any OO scale loco, wagon or coach will work on any OO scale track, regardless of brand. Couplings are also compatible so they will connect together. You can have for instance a Hornby engine pulling a Bachmann coach. You will find that you...

According to Bachmann, as it states in their catalogue there are 9 eras. As they say in their catalogue this is not absolute and is a rough guide. Please note Hornby uses a slightly different system.Era 1. 1804-1875 Pioneering Era 2....

Yes, you can use a DCC ready train on your analogue layout. DCC ready just means that the train has been factory fitted with a socket that allows you to plug in the DCC decoder. In order to use it on DCC you will need to fit the decoder first....

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...

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...

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...

Tension lock couplings are the standard couplings for model trains in the UK. These are the ones we all know from Hornby and the couplers fitted to most new rolling stock. Basically it is a pair of latch like hooks which will connect to the next...

This will very much depend on what space you have available. The best starting point would be to get a starter set. You will then have everything you need to create a model railway, with controller, track, and train plus accessories. This is good...

The Inglenook layout was created by Mr Alan Wright (1928 -2005) and designed on a four foot by one-foot board. This is also known as a shunting puzzle. The idea is to have your loco and five wagons starting on the main line/shunt head and three...

This is really a matter of personal choice and what you want to get out of your model railway. There is a lot to be said for DCC as it allows you to control your locos with more accuracy and true to life performance, such as acceleration,...