Valid to UK only - excludes oversized items
White metal, also known as pewter or spelter, is a popular material used in scale modelling for its durability and...
Many modellers of steam locomotives like to install engine drivers into their cabs to add realism, and some even like...
DCC ready means that the loco is designed to be fitted with a DCC chip. At the factory a small piece of circuitry is...
There are several reasons why some trains are provided with two locomotives. Let's explore a few of them:...
Sand pipes on a steam locomotive are essential components used to improve traction, especially under slippery...
Countryside or urban decor, how to bring realism to your layout.
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Select the area where you want the scatter, then apply a layer of PVA glue, sprinkle your grass covering the glue. When the glue is set, simply remove the excess scatter that has not been glued. You can use a small vacuum cleaner or if it is on...
This is where it helps to take notice of your surroundings every time you go out, as nature is continually changing with the seasons. For spring you will require a lush green scatter to represent the starting of a new year. Young sprouts will...
How big is your farm? If your farm is predominantly dairy cattle, then you may only have 50 sheep however if your farm is mainly sheep then you could have over 400 sheep. The trick is to have enough to make your layout look believable. Putting 10...
It would very much depend on what part of the summer you are trying to create. If it is at the beginning of the season then everything is still lush and spring fresh, but as you move through the season and things start to dry up due to lack of...
I was talking to a very nice gentleman who asked me "what is the best way to create seaweed?" He wanted to affix it on the underside of a pier for his seaside layout. I explained that there are various forms of scatter and foliage available,...
If you think of the different seasons, autumn follows summer so therefore if the summer has been hot and there has been little rain most plant life will suffer due to lack of water and start to die, as is the natural progression of the seasons....
On the real railway line, the ballast would have come from a local quarry so the colour would reflect this. The colour will mostly epend on the type of stone common ones are limestone and granite, with colours varying from white to grey and brown....
Ballast is not really a uniform colour. Although it would have started off the same colour on a prototype line, over time the ballast would be susceptible to everyday dirt and grime from the locos. Here is an example taken at Havenstreet Steam...
Once you have made your river leading to the edge of your cliff, you will need to measure the distance from the top of the cliff to the bottom, then add approximately two inches (5cm) to your measurement.Using a piece of grease-proof cooking paper...
In theory, the only limit to the width of your layout is the amount of space you have available. The reality is slightly shorter: bear in mind that if you have a derailment you will need to be able to reach your locomotives, coaches and wagons....
You can buy ready-made roads which are ideal if you do not have the time to create your own. They are available in most scales and with all the features you might need like markings, potholes, etc. Alternatively, you can make your own with road...
If you are modelling a road, you need to know how wide the real thing is so your model can be accurate. Road widths were standardised in the UK in 1993 however there are still exceptions depending on specific circumstances such as having a wider...