Valid to UK only - excludes oversized items
The best way to check the wheels of your locomotives is to use a tool called a back to back gauge. They are...
A resin kit is made from a liquid synthetic polyurethane resin, which is poured into a mould. Once it has set, the...
When it comes to constructing the baseboard for a model railway layout, there are a few materials that are commonly...
A fibreglass pen, also known as a glass fibre pencil or brush, is an incredibly handy tool for any scale modeller. It...
'Basing' is a term mainly used in wargaming and is the process of attaching plastic bases to miniature figures...
Christmas and New Year
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The shop in Sandown is closed from 25th December, reopening on 30th December.
Locomotives, coaches and wagons.
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Yes, it is realistic to mix Pullman and non-Pullman carriages on a train. In fact, it was quite common to see a mix of different types of carriages in real-life trains. Pullman carriages were known for their luxurious interiors and comfortable...
A DVT stands for "Driving Van Trailer" in railways. Some key points about DVTs:They are railway carriages that have a cab at one end for controlling the locomotive that hauls the train. This allows the train to be driven from either end. The...
ATP stands for "Automatic Train Protection" which refers to a type of train safety and control system. Some key things to know about ATP speed control:It is a signaling and control mechanism that monitors a train's speed and will automatically...
In railways, a DMBS coach stands for a Driving Motor Brake Second carriage. The key features of a DMBS coach are:Driving Motor (DM): It has a driver's cab or compartment from which the train can be driven and controlled. Brake (B): It is...
A Post Office sorting van refers to a type of specialised railway vehicle or wagon that was used by the British Post Office (Royal Mail) to sort and process mail while in transit on trains. These sorting vans had some key features:Could be...
The GP7 and GP9 are types of diesel-electric locomotives that were produced by the American locomotive manufacturer Electro-Motive Division (EMD). While they share some similarities, there are a few key differences between these two models: Power...
'Broad gauge' refers to a track gauge (the distance between the two rails) wider than the standard gauge of 4 feet 8½ inches (1,435 mm). Specifically, the broad gauge in British railway history was a track gauge of 7 feet ¼ inch (2,140 mm), which...
A Brush diesel locomotive refers to a range of diesel-electric locomotives built by Brush Traction, a prominent British engineering company. Based in Loughborough, Leicestershire, Brush Traction has a long history of manufacturing railway...
Sand pipes on a steam locomotive are essential components used to improve traction, especially under slippery conditions. Here's a detailed explanation of their function and importance:Purpose: The primary function of sand pipes is to...
Buckeye couplings, also known as Buckeye knuckle couplers, are a type of railway coupling used primarily in North America but also found in the UK and other regions. These couplings are designed to connect railway rolling stock, such as carriages...
The LMS Coronation Class, also known as the "Duchess" class, was a series of express passenger steam locomotives built by the London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS) between 1937 and 1948. Designed by Sir William Stanier, these locomotives were...
Kadee couplings are a popular choice for railway modellers, particularly those modelling in HO and OO gauge. Originating from the USA, Kadee couplings are known for their realism and reliability. They feature a knuckle design that closely...