Rolling stock

Ready to run kits are good if your modelling skills are limited, simply buy and add to your layout. You also know the finish will be good and they will be square and run correctly. But many railway modellers prefer to build them and add their own...

There are figures on the market designed purely for populating coaches. The ones that spring to mind are the Noch passenger figures which are all seated minus their lower legs which helps them to sit nicely on any coach seat. You could obviously...

There are lots of manufacturers making OO gauge engines. The most common ones are Hornby, Bachmann but there are also a plethora of smaller actors such as Heljan or Dapol. You can also find engines sold exclusively by certain shops under their...

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...

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...

Three link couplings are exactly that: they are three links of chain that will connect your wagons. These "loose" couplings were used in Britain on low speed trains till the 1970s. These trains did not have any automatic braking system and...

When it comes to value for money the complete train set has to be the way to go. With a typical train set, you will get: a controller, a locomotive, coaches or wagons depending on which set you go for and enough track to create a fair-sized oval....

You can use OO figures with OO9 trains as OO9 is OO narrow-gauge track. It means the track has a width of 9mm rather than a standard OO track which is approximately 16mm but the trains themselves are OO scale which is 4mm to the foot. These...

The best way to check the wheels of your locomotives is to use a tool called a back to back gauge. They are available for all scales/gauges. They are made of brass and you simply slide it over the axle and the back of the wheels. If it proves...

One easy way is to get yourself a Peco cleaning kit containing a wire brush, wheel scraper, foam cradle and oil. The foam cradle allows you to turn your loco upside down and give support while cleaning the wheels, or any other form of...

A back to back gauge is a tool which when placed between the back plates of the wheels of your wagons, carriages and locomotives will give you an accurate gap measurement allowing you to adjust the wheel spacing. This enables to always have your...