Bespoke Barn Build
What do you do when there are no suitable buildings available as kits or ‘ready to plant’? DAN EVASON shows that making your own structure can be simple and provide a unique aspect to a layout.
Quarry Hunslet Digital Sound
Fitting DCC sound in Bachmann’s tiny ‘OO9’ gauge model is difficult – but as John Gay explains, is possible, bringing it to life beautifully.
Class 104 conversion – Part 2
Having already rebuilt the underframes as part of his Class 104 conversion, TIM SHACKLETON turns his attention to the bodywork. 3D-printed components come to his aid, as he explains.
Modelling a West Coast Railtour
Railtours are a superb way of bringing variety to a layout. In the first of two step-by-step guides, RICHARD HALL shows how to recreate the railtour carriages – which can be very different.
Woodland on a Budget
Model trees are readily available, but DAN EVASON reckons you can make them yourself for pennies – as he demonstrates in this latest ‘OO’ gauge scene.
Locoman Sounds for the Hornby BR ‘2MT’ 2-6-0
The recently released Hornby BR ‘2MT’ 2-6-0 is an attractive locomotive, but challenging for sound installation. MIKE WILD explains how he fitted a powerful speaker into the tender with an ESU chip from Locoman Sounds.
Customising limited edition Class 40 40145
The Key Publishing limited edition model of 40145 in large logo blue prompted DAVID DOLMAN to take an already good model and make it even better.
Class 104 Conversion
In a classic piece of hands-on modelling, TIM SHACKLETON takes a brutal-looking selection of saws, files and knives to an elderly Hornby model. In the first part, he tackles the chassis.
Creating a Waterfall
For a very different feature on a layout, DAN EVASON shows how to create a stunning waterfall scene in this detailed step by step modelling guide.
The short and winding road
A veritable spider’s web of country lanes links villages and farms in the countryside. DAN EVASON shows how to model one in 4mm scale.
LESS IS MORE
TIM SHACKLETON takes a scaled-down approach to giving ‘N’ gauge models a life-like finish.
Speaker upgrade for the Accurascale ‘Manor’
Accurascale’s GWR ‘Manor’ 4-6-0 is a superb model, but it left room for improvement in the speaker setup. MIKE WILD shows how he fitted Locoman Sounds’ latest profile for these two-cylinder locomotives together with a speaker upgrade.
MAKING A SCENE: Submerged Spitfire scene
DAN EVASON was inspired by a story to create this stunning scene in 4mm scale - which, with adaptation, could be set in any era from the dawn of flight to the present day.
WORKBENCH: Tyne Dock steam finale
The Tyne Dock-Consett iron ore circuit has always fascinated modellers. TIM SHACKLETON blends consistency and variety within a nine-wagon rake of KR Models iron-ore hoppers.
MAKING BUILDINGS FROM SCRATCH PART 6
In the final part of his series, MALCOLM BRIGGS shows how to add the finishing touches to model structures to make them look as realistic as possible.
Making a scene: Snow covering tips
Recent weather and the arrival of two new steam locomotives with snowploughs in the accessory pack prompted MIKE WILD to give Shortley Bridge’s viaduct scene a quick winter makeover.
Making a Scene: Locomotive Rescue!
What do you do with a model beyond repair? DAN EVASON creates a scene of salvation in ‘OO’ scale using in the latest Making a Scene modelling guide.
Cleaning Up Dirtying Down
Are you unhappy with factory weathering or unsure what to do about unwanted paint and pigments? If you want to change the appearance of your models, TIM SHACKLETON has the solution.
MAKING A SCENE: Modelling a Pill box
As Britain braced for invasion, pill boxes were built to defend the country. DAN EVASON builds a scene in ‘OO’ gauge which also pays homage to a famous and much loved comedy series.
Modelling a three-car Class 205 Thumper DEMU
Southern Region Class 205 DEMUs make popular and distinctive models. Ten years after the Bachmann/Kernow model was launched, TIM SHACKLETON adds an extra coach to create an authentic three-car set.
Converting an American station for a British layout
Looking outside the usual sources for a building can reap big rewards. TIM SHACKLETON explains how Grosvenor Square’s imposing terminus building came into being using an American outline kit as the basis.
Grosvenor Square: Building platforms
There is a myriad of methods and materials which can be used to make model platforms. Mike Wild explains how with a combination of timber, plastic, card, resin and ballast the extensive platforms for Grosvenor Square were built.
Building a low relief backdrop
Creating a backdrop to a railway scene doesn’t have to rely on printed or painted backscenes. Mike Wild explains how the low relief scene at the back of Grosvenor Square developed.
Station detailing at Grosvenor Square
There are many ways to bring life to a station scene. Mike Wild offers 10 top tips to make your layout’s signature location stand out from the crowd.
Grosvenor Square: A roof over our heads
Hornby Magazine’s roofing contractor TIM SHACKLETON describes the construction of Grosvenor Square’s imposing overall canopy.
Bricks and Mortar
Even empty wagons show traces of the work they do and the loads they carry. TIM SHACKLETON shows how to lay the foundations, using paint and powder as the key building blocks.
MAKING A SCENE: Building a Harbour
Railways and harbours complement each other very well. DAN EVASON shows how he built a typical scene in ‘OO’ gauge whose techniques can be used in any scale.
DMU weathering – multiple options
Continuing his series on improving models of Diesel Multiple Units, TIM SHACKLETON outlines some innovative methods for weathering first-generation vehicles.
Building a ‘OO9’ micro-layout - Part Two
Having completed the base layer and laid the track to his new narrow gauge micro-layout, DAN EVASON adds further fine detail and buildings to the ‘OO9’ pizza-style scene.
'OO' gauge Diesel Multiple Unit upgrades
Concentrating on some older 4mm scale Diesel Multiple Units, TIM SHACKLETON looks at ways of bringing them up to something like present day standards.