Garden Railway Forum

Welcome, new guy. Your ideal beginner locomotive depends on what you like, in terms of your interest in modelling in addition to other things. You have a choice of many different kinds of locomotives. Engines that are suitable for beginners all tend to have some things in common. For one thing, they...

Why not use varnish AS the adhesive? Varnish the body shell, then lay the panelling in the wet varnish, and put a flat weight on it until the varnish dries. Do one side at a time, until the pieces are all stuck together, then sand and continue with the final coats. I bet that would work.

The only guess I have is that registered businesses must have more responsibilities than just "putting something in a box and posting it" the way you or I might if we were selling something. Some condition of having a business license, if that's even a thing. What's confusing is why some w...

Hi guys, I know I've posted about this before and received answers, sort of, but I can't remember what the answers were. I don't actually think I've ever received a satisfactory explanation for this. Yet again while looking at a small-scale manufacturer's website, I saw a note saying "at the pr...

Guessing is so much more fun when there is no photograph!

I’m guessing it’s a Wilesco “Lukas”.

I never knew 3d printing could produce something so realistic! The whole thing is amazing. It couldn't be more realistic.

My guess is it's some kind of feedwater heater. If so, it's the biggest one I've ever seen.

No, not pushy at all. I think I would like to convert to 32mm. I'm just concerned about damaging my models. One or two of them will be difficult to convert, and they are my favourite ones!

I'm after getting locomotive nameplates made... but that was over ten years ago. John Shawe made really good ones, and they were sold by Rhos Helyg Locomotive works. I looked on "The Internet" and it looks like they are still on offer. I am very pleased with the ones they made for me. http...

As always Aaron I appreciate your opinion. i am still on the fence about converting, because it has occurred to me that I wouldn't care what gauge my train run on if it wasn't for the profusion of UK 32mm lines and people who talk about "The One True Gauge" which, although silly, still has...

You're right- I am at a fairly ideal point really as I'm building the odd model but running them very infrequently. All my models are from the U.K. other than the track, which is "Sunset Valley Railroad" in America. He does provide SM32 track, and is very affordable (especially for shipmen...

It sounds like you've successfully modified your Service Railway Express Radio Control Train Set to improve its performance. It's great to hear that the bogies now spin freely and the wagons no longer rock from side to side. It's also impressive that you were able to salvage the loco red headlight ...

Funny I've only just noticed this. Interesting, 'cause I am in the same boat. No railway yet, anyway: my wife convinced me to build a deck over the entirety of our pathetic little garden, so I just set up a circle of Sunset Valley SM45 (yes that is a thing) track when I want to see something move. I...

I've always found the Jessie and the Jessica to be very nice-looking little diesels. In fact I think they are a more aesthetically consistent addition to a fleet of Roundhouse live steamers than Roundhouse's own diesels. Ivan got the look of this one right. Having said that, as I am still operating ...

Aren’t all railway locomotives “traction engines” if one is being really, really annoyingly technical and pedantic?

I'm after getting some nameplates made. English is funny. When someone says "I'm after getting some nameplates", most of us understand they mean "I'm in search of some nameplates". However, in Ireland as well as Newfoundland in Canada, it would mean "I got some nameplates&q...

Some of you must, by now, be aware of the models being built and modified by Kyle of TRS Trains in Wales. His "smoke" installations using miniature atomizers on OO scale trains, steam AND diesel, are absolutely brilliant. He's presently working on a cylinder draincock effect to go along wi...

Charming little engine, and looks very nice indeed in your blue livery.

It's also nice to hear from you again Zack. I'm pleased you're still doing model railways and congratulations on your PHD. A solid bit of work, that.

Keith

Very clever. A unique railway and strangely, more realistic than most

I recommend a "momentum wagon" as well. I am a massive supporter of the idea. I personally like it when the train has momentum, not just the locomotive. I run my "Billy" with manual control, and I find the van makes it run more realistically, as it makes the engine work a bit to ...