The term Gibbet is most commonly associated with the kind of gallows-like structure used to hang people, but thanks to their resemblance, the term is also used to describe a type of crane with a t-shaped frame.Gibbet cranes could once be found...

Railway modellers love details, but sometimes a prototype's details can leave us scratching our heads and wondering why various bits and bobs exist and what they are used for.If you have ever wondered what the filler caps are for on the...

Airbrushes can be somewhat mysterious to anybody who doesn't already own or have experience using one. Probably the biggest and most unfortunate surprise for any modeller is the discovery that when buying an airbrush, it often doesn't include the...

If you are new to modelling or considering your first layout, you may be wondering if it is possible to run locomotives either independently or in opposite directions when placed on the same track. And the answer is yes, but there's a but!...

Whether or not it is realistic to consider fitting a decoder yourself depends on numerous factors. And not one of them has anything to do with actually plugging one in!Assuming you're asking the question because you have never fitted one...

Perspective is something we see every day out there in the real world. A tree in the far distance, for example, will appear very small, despite it being as large as a tree close by. Our brains know this, but, our brains can also be easily tricked...

Fortunately, incidents where track gets damaged after installation are relatively rare, but spare track, and track awaiting installation, is another matter, and if not stored carefully, can often get bent or misshapen. But is there anything that...

Most enamel model paints will be fully dried (cured) between 48 and 72 hours after application.Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule, and a lot depends on the type of enamel paint used, how much of it is applied, and where it is...

Code 83 track is used to represent North American railway track prototypically used on main lines and for heavy trains.Railway tracks differ slightly from country to country. Even two countries using the same gauge can have tracks exhibiting...

There are a couple of reasons why a modeller would want to know how much their railway is worth including: for insurance purposes, to sell, or sadly a family may need to know after bereavement for various administrative purposes.Valuing a...

Setting your couplings to the correct height is more important than you might think. If the height difference between your rolling stock's couplings is too great, you could be heading for a derailment.Fortunately, setting your couplings to the...

The correct height and other dimensions for HO gauge couplings are covered by NEM document 360 which states that couplings should be positioned at a height of 8.5mm above rail height. OO gauge couplings appear to follow suit with most...