Techniques
Our aim is to help you become a better railway modeller by giving you the latest railway modelling advice from our team of experts. This section includes modelling techniques covering track, weathering, kit building, scenery, DC-DCC plus other essential model railway skills.
Ask Phil: No more floating buildings
How do I avoid gaps underneath the buildings on my layout? John, Budbrooke.
26 November 2020
Ask Phil: Which hairspray do I need for scenic work?
I've heard about using hairspray for scenery, but don't know what to buy. Can…
19 November 2020
Ask Phil: How were coal wagons unloaded?
My question concerns end doors on wagons. I know these were flagged with a…
12 November 2020
Ask Phil: Which loco do I need for an industrial layout?
For my new adventure, a UK small shelf switching layout, I have been thinking…
04 November 2020
Ask Phil - What is a Sprat & Winkle coupling?
In your recent podcast, you mentioned something called a "Sprat & Winkle"…
29 October 2020
Ask Phil - Making a model road
Can you advise me how to model a road? I'm not keen on stick-on versions. Ian,…
20 October 2020
Ask Phil - Private Owner wagons on British Railways
I have a load of private owner wagons, but my layout is set in the British…
15 October 2020
How to build a custom layout vehicle
When die-cast manufacturers don't produce the specific vehicle you need,…
13 October 2020
Top 5 model railway layout animations
As an owner of 10 Tri-ang operating Giraffe cars, Phil Parker is a big fan of…
13 October 2020
Smartphones and DCC: The changing face of connectivity
DCC users are increasingly swapping traditional DCC handsets for smart phones…
09 October 2020
Ask Phil - Curing sticky point motors
Question: I have fitted Peco point motors to my layout and while most work…
08 October 2020
How to model litter and industrial waste on your model railway
Bringing your post-1950s layout to life is all in the detail, as Michael Russell…
01 October 2020
Ask Phil - Track weathering without an airbrush
Question: How can I make my track dirty? Everyone seems to use an airbrush but I…
01 October 2020
How to model overgrown grass
Howard Smith creates an area of neglected and abandoned land, as commonly-found…
01 October 2020
How to build a burning hut for your layout
What can you do with an old and battered model? Set fire to it of course!
21 September 2020
