On this page you will find some very good articles on different aspects of model railways. Scroll down the page for downloads that you might find useful.
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Articles And Tutorials :
3rd and 4th rail : Dimensions and settings to help the 4mm scale modeller.
2mm Scale Association : British loading gauge and clearances.
Airbrushing : An article on using enamel and acrylic paints in an airbrush.
Airbrushing : Comprehensive site on this subject.
Athearn Locomotives : Maintaining and upgrading
Automatic Signalling - Using Relays : A really good article by Steve Chapman.
BA Screw Sizes : Plus tapping drill sizes.
Bachmann Class 159 "Sprinter" : A pdf file for converting to DCC.
Buildings - Model : A nice article by Stephen J Chapman.
Buying A Train Set : A good article from the New Railway Modellers site on buying a train set for both children and adults.
Card Modelling : A pdf file to download on this fascinating side of the hobby. My favourite material to use for my models.
Colour - Scale : What is scale colour? Article by Aidan Campbell.
Couplings - Kadee : This is the web site of the manufacturer.
Couplings - Kadee : The installation of Kadee couplers on British models.
Couplings - Kadee : Pages from Model Railway Magazine on fitting to UK stock.
Couplings - Kadee : Conversions on UK stock.
Couplings - Kadee : Using them on UK stock, one of two articles with links here.
Couplings - Kadee : Magnetic couplings for British 4mm stock. There is also a very good article, with photographs, on the Barchester forum.
Couplings - Kadee : Even more information.
Couplings - Sprat & Winkle : Fitting them.
DCC - Digital Command Control : A comprehensive article from Brian Lambert.Dremel : A very good article on using this tool and it's accessories.
Designing The Landscape : Good article by Stephen Chapman.
Drill Sizes - Comparative : These tables show the comparative size of standard drill bits.
Drills : How to sharpen them.
Electrostatic Grass : Do it yourself application tool. Fellas on the forum have made this so it works.
Enamel Paints : Good article on how to get the best from your painting efforts.
Figure Painting : A Model Master technical guide.
Flextrack : Basic track laying techniques.
Hand Laid Rail : It can be done.
Imperial Standard Wire Gauge : Dimensions.
Industrial Railways : Article from Wikipedia.
Layout Design : Good article by Stephen Chapman.
LED Circuitry Tutorial : A basic tutorial for people to get their LED's up and running without blowing them out.
Mercontrol : Point and signal operating system. What it is and how to use it.
Milliput : Tips on using this versatile modelling medium. The section on sculpting is worth reading even if you aren't going to do your own figures.
Model Locomotive Suspension : A fully comprehensive article on this subject by Russ Elliott.
Model Railroad Photography - An excellent site to help you get the best out of your digital camera when it comes to photographing your modelling efforts. Plenty of great pictures too.
Model Railway History : An interesting article on how it all began.
Multimeters : How to use them. Very clear instructions on how to use this very handy tool for the modeller.
NMRA : Introduction to model railroading.
Painting Plastic Figures : Another good article on this subject.
Painting Your Figures : An excellent article about making your figures look good.
Painting Guide - Online article by Aidan Campbell.
Photography : Some very good tutorials on digital photography to help you get the best out of your camera.
Photography : Digital, hints and tips, plenty of info here on how to get the best from your new camera.
Photography : Basic model railway photography for digital camera users.
Plastic Structures : The basics of building them.
Resin Casting : An introduction.
Rolling Road : Build your own
Soldering For Beginners : A pdf download. You will need the Adobe Reader to be able to read this.
Styrene - Working With It : An article from the Model Railroader.
Sound : Adding DCC sound to a Bachmann class 45.
Trees : A pdf file on making your own trees.
Wagon Compensation : Interesting article and 'How To'.
Water - Modelling : Help with modelling this sometimes difficult subject.
Weathering : A good article on easy, non permanent weathering.
Weathering Guide - Article by Aidan Canpbell.
Wire Sizes - Comparative : The tables cover the imperial and metric wire gauges (gauges) commonly available.
Calculators :
Hobby Calculator - Another very handy calculator for converting your chosen scale/ratio to full size measurement. Unlike the two calculators shown below this one can be used off line if you follow the instruction lower down the calculator page.
Scale Calculator : Especially for 1/87 modellers but can be used for any scale. It's a small download so you don't have to be online to use it. Very handy.
Scale Conversions For Drawings : Easy to use if you are copying a drawing in one scale and want to print it in another. Handy.
Scale Speed Calculator - Ever wondered just how fast you are actually driving your trains in real terms. This calculator lets you quickly find out. Very nifty and might surprise you with the results.
Scratchbuilders Scaleware - This is a very handy calculator for getting the actual size of any measurement in your chosen scale. On the calculator itself there isn't a 00 4mm choice but there is a custom one that you enter your own scale/ratio in. Very handy indeed.
Downloads :
Acela Express Card Model : Try your hand at making this card model which is easily downloaded.
Backdrops : Buildings and pictures to use as backdrops.
Blue Brick - Download : Download this handy blue brick sheet. The colour may not be to everyones taste but can soon be altered in any paint program.
Brick Bonds : A PDF download of the different brick bonds. Necessary if you are modelling a prototype and want to be accurate.
British Rail 'Sausage' Totems : These download in PDF format.
British Railways Electrification Warning Signs : PDF format.
British Railways (Scottish Region) DMU/EMU Destination Blinds : Two sets, 1950's and 60's and '70's onwards. PDF format.
Building - Free : Download this free building from Model Builder.
Buildings - Free: H0 buildings of Illiniois Main Street but I'm sure they could be resized for other scales
Buildings : In American N, H0, 00 and N scales.
Cinder Blocks : Download and fold to shape. Aready coloured for you.
Container : A free pdf download of a BBC container. Makes an excellent model and dimensions are given for printing different scales.
Containers : If you are into the modern era then look at this huge variety of containers.
Containers : Another free download. These containers with English names.
Dwarf Signals : A PDF file for making these items.
Graffiti : Very colurful free graffiti for you to download, several good examples.
Graph Paper - Online Generator : Any size you like, choose what you want and then download in a pdf file.
Illinois Town Buildings : Some beautiful buildings here to download, some simple ones too.
Kadee : A pictorial pdf download of delayed action, magne-matic uncoupling by this famous manufacturer.
Label Maker : Unusual one here. Use the font you want and then download the produced label. Can be used for almost anything especially building signs.
Lockup Garages, Roof Slating & Brick Paper : All in 4mm scale but could be resized for other scales.
Model Railway Buildings : In American N, H0, 00, N
Name Boards - Town & Country : Get your own name free board on line, save and resize to scale and also download a small program to do your own town and country direction signs. Very easy to use. A good 'un.
Outhouse : Very nice little model for you to download and put together.
Posters - Free : Some nice posters to download, good quality for resizing.
Roof Tiling Sheet : Download this very nice roof tiling sheet.
Scale Rulers : A free download from this site. Very handy, wish it was for 00.
Scale Rulers : Full size scale rulers for 1", 1/2", 1/4", 1.144 and N scale. Excellent rulers.
Signs : Mainly for the American scene but some are suitable for the UK layouts.
Sound Transit : Sounds from all round the world that you can download, trains included of course.
Staining Stripwood : A three part pdf file download. Excellent and very effective. These stains also work on card.
Stone Walling - Download : Download this textured stone walling sheet.
Textures : Loads of useful textures to download, great for model building and best of all they are free. Well worth a look.
Textures : Even more wonderful textures for you to download.
Textures : Yet more textures to download and make use of. It all saves money.
Timetable Operation : One man's thoughts in a pdf download.
Trailers - Road : Ideal for the background on a modern era layout or as the basis for a full scale model.
Train Songs & Sounds : These railroading songs and sounds are free to use on your web pages or forum, or just to listen to.
Vintage Signs : The old 'enamel' signs. American but some are appropriate for other places.
Walling Of Many Types : A lot of good stuff here. Definition is great, very high quality.
Windows : You just have to have a look at this selection. Brilliant.
Workstation : PDF download of a very neat, easily made work station for the neat and tidy modeller.
