Model Railway

Barrow crossings are designated crossing points found at some railway stations where staff and sometimes even passengers are allowed to cross the tracks between platforms.These days, physically crossing the tracks is not a favoured method for...

A fan fiddle-yard is a permanent fiddle yard where each track is accessed via a series of turnouts 'fanning' out from the layout's main operating line. But with so many turnouts connected in series, the space required for a yard of this type is...

Long before computer systems were introduced, signal boxes, stations and goods yards communicated with each other by sending telegraphs to ensure the safe and efficient running of trains. Telegraphs are a bit like an early form of text message and...

Most of you will be aware of the basic principles behind the workings of a steam locomotive, fire heats water, water turns to steam, steam moves pistons. But if any water was to find its way through to the pistons, significant damage could be...

Many modellers have enjoyed great success using hinges with the pivot pin removed to connect portable baseboard sections together.Split hinges do a great job of lining up portable baseboard sections accurately, although it has to be said,...

Generally, hardboard does not make a great baseboard because it can warp unpredictably and will not take track pins easily when laying track.Although there has no doubt been at least some modellers who have been successful using hardboard for...

Decoders are definitely not all the same, they have different numbers of pins, can control different functions, come in different shapes and sizes, and often, have different amp ratings. But how important is the latter?Well, it is both very...

So the kids have all grown up and moved away, you finally have a little space, a bit of extra cash maybe, and a couple of hours a week to fill, and you decide to rekindle your love of model railways that's been sidetracked since you were a mere...

British Railways owned and operated many ships from when it was formed in 1948 until 1984. British Railways inherited much of its fleet from the former railway companies it replaced and also commissioned several vessels during the years that...

A flywheel is a heavy metal disc-shaped weight that is used to aid the momentum of a motor.Flywheels are added to some model railway locomotives for exactly that reason and are typically located on the driveshaft just after it leaves the...

Sometimes we all make little modelling mistakes, but what can you do if you have snipped your point motor's pin too short?This is something that happens a lot, and your initial response is probably going to be one of horror at the value of the...

Regardless of whether your locomotive uses analogue or DCC to operate, the principles of its motor will be the same, and both can come with either a 3-pole or a 5-pole motor. But what's the difference?Ignoring any posh or sophisticated...