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Why are groups of wagons on a train sometimes referred to as a rake?
Posted in: Rolling stock
25th July 2023
Historically, a group of wagons connected together and forming a train was often referred to as a "rake." This term...
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What are the advantages of photoetched parts on plastic kits?
Posted in: Kit building
31st October 2022
Photoetched parts are small parts made of metal, manufactured using the photo etching technique. This technique...
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Can I add smoke to my trains?
Posted in: Model Railway, Fix, restore and customize
27th November 2019
In theory, yes you can add smoke to your engines regardless of whether you are running analogue or DCC. You will...
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Which lubricant to use on model railway locomotives?
Posted in: Best practices
7th January 2022
There are many stories of cheap alternatives to model railway locomotive lubricants. Unfortunately, there are also...
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Is it possible to motorise Ratio semaphore signals?
Posted in: Power and control
3rd May 2022
In theory, all Ratio signal kits can be motorised, but the conversion can be a little fiddly.In truth, it's the...
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What is epoxy resin?

The chances are that if you have ever tried to research what an epoxy resin is, you were bombarded with phrases like monomelic or oligomeric. Equally, the chances are that if you knew what monomelic or oligomeric meant, then you would know what an epoxy resin is, which leaves us mere mortals back at square one!

Simply put, an epoxy resin is one of the strongest adhesives available. It comes as two separate substances that require mixing together. Once mixed, it will set in a fairly quick time and produce a material not too dissimilar to plastic that is extremely durable, hardwearing and waterproof. If you have ever seen tree sap that has set then you will understand what kind of substance to expect from epoxy resin. The fact is, the two substances have a lot in common.

Because of its strength and plastic qualities, epoxy resin has many uses in our modelling world. Modellers use it not only as an adhesive but also in moulds to fashion anything from buildings to girders.

Epoxy resins are often clear so can also be used to model excellent water features such as rivers, waterfalls, lakes, rivers, ponds or even the sea. Colour can be added at the mixing stage to produce murky or blue tints and ripples or waves can also be added as the substance sets.

There are many different kinds of epoxy resins for many different modelling uses. So before you rush out to buy some and start mixing, it is important to talk to your local model shop or fellow modellers to take advice on which type to use as well as the techniques that should be applied.

Posted in: Kit building

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