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  • What is PVA glue used for?
    What is PVA glue used for?

    If you are a modeller, then you have likely heard of PVA glue, but you may not be aware that PVA comes in many forms and is known by several names such as wood glue, white glue, school glue or carpenter's glue. These names suggest that PVA glue...

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  • Why were the railways grouped?
    Why were the railways grouped?

    By the early 20th century, the railways had grown to such an extent that competition was fierce and the market was fast becoming saturated, as a result, the railways were not run particularly well or efficiently. Just how wasteful the network had...

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  • What is a wagon turntable?
    What is a wagon turntable?

    Wagon turntables were similar in principle to full-size ones used to turn locomotives, they were however smaller and performed a different function.Wagon turntables were as the name suggests only large enough to accommodate wagons (or other...

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  • What does a paint primer do?
    What does a paint primer do?

    Primers are a special type of paint used to prepare surfaces that are to be painted. The primary purpose of a primer is to create the best possible surface for a topcoat of paint to adhere to. Primers are also handy for creating a consistent, even...

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  • How to use a static grass puffer bottle
    How to use a static grass puffer bottle

    Static grass puffer bottles work by manually charging model grass fibres with static electricity. When the charged grass is then sprinkled onto a diorama prepared with glue, it will stand on end giving a realistic portrayal of grass.The process...

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  • What kind of solder should I use on white metal kits?
    What kind of solder should I use on white metal kits?

    If you are soldering a white-metal kit together, you will need to use a lower temperature setting on your soldering iron (or a low voltage iron) to avoid damage to the metal. A standard 25W iron will be way too hot and will melt the kit itself if...

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  • Is it possible to model Era 1 (Pioneering 1804-1869)?
    Is it possible to model Era 1 (Pioneering 1804-1869)?

    Having experienced the incredible talent of many scratch-builders over the years, one would have to concede that almost anything is possible in the world of modelling, even a realistic portrayal of 'Era 1' from 1804-1869.But before you toddle off...

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  • What is a DMU?
    What is a DMU?

    DMU stands for Diesel Multiple Unit. DMUs are a type of train where the coaches have their own diesel-powered engines to propel them along negating the need for a locomotive at the head of the train. The driving controls on DMUs are situated in an...

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  • What is a distance marker (milepost)?
    What is a distance marker (milepost)?

    Railway mileposts (or distance markers) are signs placed at specified intervals along railway lines to give reference to locations along the route. The reference is always relative to a defined point (often a large station or junction). The usage...

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  • What is soldering flux?
    What is soldering flux?

    Flux is a chemical agent that can be used when soldering to give joints good adhesion, facilitate the solder's flow and create a better electrical connection.Flux does this when heated to high temperatures by dissolving any impurities in the...

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  • What is a puffer bottle?
    What is a puffer bottle?

    A puffer bottle is a manually operated specifically-shaped container that is used to prepare static grass for application to a railway layout or other diorama. Static grass is a type of model grass that stands on end when sprinkled onto a layout,...

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  • What is miniature-figure basing?
    What is miniature-figure basing?

    'Basing' is a term mainly used in wargaming and is the process of attaching plastic bases to miniature figures enabling them to stand upright. Bases can be purchased from most model shops that deal in miniatures and come in a variety of shapes and...

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