Model Railway

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...

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...

In theory, OO gauge can be used outdoors, modern nickel silver track, although will require a lot of cleaning, will stand up to the weather just fine, however, O gauge or G scale remains the preferred choice.If you are considering a OO gauge...

If you are thinking of installing a bridge over your track on a model railway, how high should it be?You may think the answer to that question is high enough for your trains to fit through! and you would be correct, but there is more to...

Most, if not all, model railway clubs are welcoming of new members that still have a lot to learn, so don't let inexperience put you off approaching one.Model railway clubs are a great way for you to meet like-minded individuals who share a...

There is no real reason why the height clearance of tunnels and bridges on a model railway should conform to any other rules except for making sure that any trains running on the line can pass through without fowling the roof of the tunnel.Of...

The standard height for a station platform in the UK is three-feet (915 mm) above rail height. That equates to a correct OO gauge platform height of 12mm above rail height.Many ready-to-plant plastic platform sections are a couple of...

If you're considering installing dropper wires to your model railway track, you may be wondering where and how to attach them for the best results.There are several ways you can attach dropper wires to your track, for example, power clips or...

If you are thinking about installing turnout motors (also referred to as point motors) on your layout, you may well be wondering which type is best for you.Firstly, it would be fair to say that no particular type of motor can be declared the...

When used as a noun, and in railway terms, a 'consist' refers to a formation of rolling stock put together to make a train.In the UK we mainly call that a rake, especially when referring to coaches, but over in the US, the word 'consist' is...

A reversing loop is a railway track that splits at a turnout, the diverging track then makes its way around in a big loop before joining the same turnout, but from the opposite direction.For modellers who have enough space to fit a reversing...

In theory, any analogue model railway locomotive can be converted to DCC, but instead of having a socket to plug a decoder into (like you would on a DCC-ready loco) you will need to hardwire the decoder directly to the locomotive yourself.But...