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  • What is 2mm scale?
    What is 2mm scale?

    2mm scale (1:152 scale) is an even more accurate version of what we commonly refer to as N gauge. It refers to 2mm of the model being equivalent to 1ft in real-life. 2mm scale is often labelled Finescale N gauge.But why are regular N gauge...

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  • Is a double slip better than a regular point?
    Is a double slip better than a regular point?

    A double slip is an X shaped crossover with a difference. That difference being that there are point blades attached to it, so the train does not have to just cross straight over the junction in a straight line, now it can turn onto the track that...

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  • What is flash on a model?
    What is flash on a model?

    Flash on a model is the flat bits of extra material that you will often see attached to the various pieces of a model when you open the box. These are not to be confused with the sprues (or nubs) which are the pieces of plastic or white metal that...

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  • What is Sandite?
    What is Sandite?

    Sandite is a solution made up from antifreeze, sand and steel-shot (tiny round steel grains). It is used on the UK rail network to combat that age-old-problem of "leaves on the line".Leaves on railway tracks can cause massive disruption even...

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  • How do you calculate scale speed?
    How do you calculate scale speed?

    Most modellers will not need to calculate scale speed as our passion for railways would undoubtedly have led us at one time or another to experiment with our trains speed on our layouts until we have found one that looks about right, but for...

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  • What is departmental stock?
    What is departmental stock?

    Departmental rolling stock is great for modellers. Often it is an excellent excuse to run much earlier locomotives and carriages alongside more modern examples because most departmental stock is only usually inherited at the end of its useful...

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  • Beginner's guide to semaphore signals
    Beginner's guide to semaphore signals

    Over the years, signals have been at the mercy of numerous legislative introductions to improve safety on our railways, that together with regional variation means that you would have to pretty much be an actual signalman to get signalling...

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  • What is the difference between enamel and acrylic paint?
    What is the difference between enamel and acrylic paint?

    Enamel was the original paint for modellers, acrylic being quite modern by comparison. Essentially the two paints start off the same, using the same pigment, however, enamel uses an oil-based solution mixed with the pigment to turn it into paint...

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  • What is the difference between 00 and H0?
    What is the difference between 00 and H0?

    If you have ever wondered into your local model shop to admire, dream about or even treat yourself to a 00 gauge loco, then you might have noticed a few of the engines on display are modelled in H0 gauge, even though they appear to be the same...

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  • What model railway gauges are available?
    What model railway gauges are available?

    We often use terminology in the world of model railways interchangeably, when people ask about gauge, they are usually referring to the size of model locomotives and carriages. Technically, this would be scale not gauge as gauge refers only to the...

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  • What model railway gauge is best for children?
    What model railway gauge is best for children?

    We would loosely suggest that the best model railway gauge for children is 00 gauge, of course, each child has different tastes and ways of playing, which would influence the answer, but from a purely factual point of view, 00 gauge ticks most the...

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  • What is a fiddle yard?
    What is a fiddle yard?

    We often hear modellers refer to their "fiddle yard", but unless you already know what one is, the name doesn't really give away any clues as to what it is or what it is used for.A fiddle yard is the bit of a model railway layout that is off...

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