Painting the backdrop behind the river scene: Part 12

This is dipping into another series of videos by The Bige61 on Youtube.

"Part 12. This is series where I paint the backdrop behind the river scene. In this part I continue painting the mountains on the backdrop.

Music Notes: The music on this video was recorded using Sonar Home Studio Ver 6.0. The drums and keyboards were played on an M-Audio Keystation 61 ES and/or sequenced in the MIDI Editor. The bass used is an YaMaha 270F Fretless with Dimarzio Pickups. "

Happisburgh at spalding train show

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03 Select Acceleration Programming

Program your locomotives with realistic acceleration using the Hornby Select.

Make sure you check out the full "Hornby Select" Playlist, and don't forget to WATCH IN HD!

02 Select Second Loco Programming

Programming a locomotive with the Hornby Select.

Make sure you check out the full "Hornby Select" Playlist, and don't forget to WATCH IN HD!

01 Select Quick Start

Getting started with the Hornby Select.

Make sure you check out the full "Hornby Select" Playlist, and don't forget to WATCH IN HD!

Crest form royal train replica at windsor station

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T gauge railway layout

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Hornby Collectors Club Special LSWR 4-4-0 Clas T9 'Drummond' Decoration Sample

A decoration sample of the Collectors Club special T9 Drummond Locomotive. For more information about purchasing this limited edition locomotive, or becoming a member please visit:

www.hornby.com/collectors-club/

Building the River Scene: Part 2

Part 2 from thebige61

"Part 2: This is a multi-part blog where I make the scenery on the river scene on my model railroad. In this video I start putting in the river banks with Florist foam."

Building the River Scene: Part 1

From The bigE -

"Part 1: This is a multi-part blog where I make the scenery on the river scene on my model railroad. In this video I start putting in the river banks with Florist foam."

R2821/X Hitachi Class 395 Decorated Running Sample

Presenting the Hornby Hitachi Class 395 Decorated Running Sample. Available in both DCC Ready and DCC Fitted versions.

R2846/X BR 4-6-2 'Clan Buchanan' Clan Class Locomotive

Decorated Sample of the 2009 Clan Class locomotive.

Length: 287mm
Detail: Extensive. Sprung Buffers
Special Features: DCC Ready/DCC
Fitted Motor: 5 Pole Skew Wound Loco Drive

click here to save £30 on the new New Br Early Clan Class Clan Buchanan

BR Clan Class 4-6-2 No.72000 Clan Buchanan in lined BR green with early emblem.

Designed by Mr. R. A. Riddles, the Clans were a slightly scaled down version of the BR Britannia Class and featured a smaller boiler and cylinders. Ten of the class were built at Crewe between 1951 and 1952 with a further 15 planned which were intended for the Scottish and Southern regions, however, the final 15 were cancelled due to British Railways modernisation plans. The 10 completed Clans were "shedded" at Polmadie, Glasgow and Carlisle and were consequently seen working mixed traffic trains on routes between Manchester, Liverpool, Carlisle, Perth and Glasgow. The last Clan was removed from service in 1966.

click here to save £30 on the new New Br Early Clan Class Clan Buchanan

Deltic D9009 - Alycidon at Nene Valley Railway 4 July 2009

Another video from the Nene Valley Railway Rail Mail Real Ale event from 4/5 July 2009. This video concentrates on the Deltic D9009 which is on loan from Barrow Hill for the rest of the 2009 season (4/5 October) having arrived late June.

Travelling post office demo

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Nene valley railway rail mail event

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Copenhagen Fields - Model Railway

Simon Farmer presenter of the 2004 TV series Model Town and Tim Watson the President of The Model Railway Club,
take us on a guided tour of the amazing Copenhagen Fields layout.

Greasing and Oiling Your Locomotives

Learn about lubricating and servicing your trains. We demonstrate these techniques on a contemporary steam locomotive, but the same concept can be used on vintage equipment or diesel locomotives.

Javelin train on 140mph test-run and Pre Production Video of Soon To Be Released Model

Guests on a test-run of the "Javelin" - Britain's fastest commuter train with a 140mph (225km/h) top speed - have been whisked from London to Kent and back.

The Hitachi train took 30 minutes to travel from St Pancras station to Ashford at an average speed of 114mph. The return journey took 29 minutes.

Southeastern will begin a limited high-speed service on the line on 29 June with a full service from 13 December.

The Japanese-built trains will reduce journey times by up to 43 minutes.



Hornby will be producing a version of the Javelin and here is a video of what their pre production sample looks like.

Class 04 Diesel Shunter

I am modelling the BR era of steam around 1956-58 and I have decided that for my birthday I am going to invest in a diesel shunter that would have been in use at the time. Fortunately I have found one that is almost spot on and it is pictured below:



Like other shunters of this size, the Class 03 was built for light duties where a larger locomotive was not needed, especially for shunting at locomotive and carriage depots and as station pilots. The reduction over time in the demand for shunting locomotives meant that they were progressively withdrawn from 1968 onwards, many being sold to private industry. However, some remained in service much longer, with two examples on the Isle of Wight lasting until 1993.

What's more this 'OO' model from Bachmann comes in at under £40.00 so I think that it is a real bargain. Click here to find out more about this Diesel Shunter.

NVMRA Peterborough Model Railway Exhibition 07/06/2009

EWS60008 says

"This video is from the NVMRA (Nene Valley Model Railway Association) Peterborough Model Railway Exhibition held on the 7th of June 2009 in Sacrewell (near Wansford).

The first Layout is Stockwell Road that is 1996-Present Modern Image in OO gauge and features my sound fitted 60008 (sound was drowned out by the background noise!) while other stock was provided by Chris himself. The second layout is Wallingford which is a OO gauge GWR region 1920's based era and the amount of detail on this layout is very impressive!

The third and final layout in this video is an N gauge USA-type Layout set in the 1950's which has mostly GM EMD F7's, Alco's and some steam that were remaining in that period. There were a fair amount of visitors we had but its not quite as busy as you would expect at Warley which is in November this year! "

To be honest we made the event and it was quite good for a family day as Sacrewell Farm also had an open day so there was plenty to do after the trains.

Fred Dibnah Railway/Steam Collection

Just released last week was the Fred Dibnah Railway/Steam Collection [DVD].

English steeplejack and cult British television figure, Fred Dibnah was renowned for his love of Railways history and steam engines. Join him in this celebration of British Railways and steam heritage, with almost 15 hours of archive footage. Features previously unseen footage.

click here for more info

Nene valley railway modellers exhibition at sacrewell farm peterborough

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R4397 DVT Virgin Trains - Hand Decorated Sample

Introducing the brand new Hornby Mk3 DVT!

http://www.hornby.com/dvt

Arriving at peterborough station

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Model Trains For Beginners Review

http://tinyurl.com/modeltrainclub - Model Trains For Beginners has rapidly become the No 1 selling model train help guide on the net. In this video Model Trains Today take a look at the PDF book and also has a look at some extras that you get with this product. If you are interested in the book but are not sure if it is for you then don't worry because you get 60 days to review the product and if you are not satisfied then there is a 100% money back guarantee.

This book covers a lot of areas in a short space but if you make use of the forums shown in the video then you can contact the author and request further information. There is also a free update for life facility so you will be mailed updates as and when they become available.

To find out more visit: http://tinyurl.com/modeltrainclub

You can also download a free report from Model Trains Today by visiting http://modeltrainstoday.com and signing up for the free report.

Please note that the commentary on this video is not very loud so you may have to turn up your volume whilst watching this video.

Hornby Class 395 Javelin First Run

A pre-production sample of the Hornby Class 395 Javelin stretches it's legs on the Hornby showroom layout.

Hornby Class 395 Javelin Pre-Production Sample

A first glimpse of the new 395 Javelin from Hornby.

Streamlined Duchess of Hamilton

I visited the National Railway Museum at York at the weekend to see the new exhibit (actually the return of an old one) - Duchess of Hamilton which was paraded in the art deco streamlining that she last wore in 1947. I found the following information on her from Wikipedia

"6229 was built in 1938 at Crewe as the tenth member of its class and the last in the second batch of five red streamliners (the original five 6220-4 having been given a unique Caledonian blue livery), complete with silver speed cheat stripes. In 1939 6229 swapped identities with the first of the class 6220 Coronation and was sent to North America with a specially-constructed Coronation Scot train to appear at the 1939 New York World's Fair [1]. There was therefore for a while a blue 6229 Duchess of Hamilton in the UK and a red 6220 Coronation in the USA. R.A. Riddles drove for most of the tour, owing to the illness of the assigned driver. The locomotive (though not its carriages) was shipped back from the States in 1942 after the outbreak of the Second World War, and the identities of the locomotives were swapped back in 1943.

6229 was painted wartime black livery in November 1944. Her streamlined casing was removed for maintenance-efficiency reasons in December 1947 and she was then given the LMS 1946 black livery. In 1948 she passed into BR ownership. BR added 40000 to her number to become 46229 on 15 April 1948. She was painted in the short-lived BR blue livery in April 1950, but was soon repainted on 26 April 1952 into Brunswick green. The semi-streamlined smokebox was replaced with a round-topped smokebox in February 1957, and in September 1958 she was painted maroon. The lining was BR style to begin with then in October 1959 she received the current LMS style lining which she has carried for all her years in preservation.

46229 was saved from the scrap yard along with classmate 6233 Duchess of Sutherland as a result of Sir Billy Butlin's efforts to place these locomotives as children's playground exhibits at his holiday camps. Duchess of Hamilton survived at Minehead Holiday Camp and it returned to steam on the main line under the auspices of the Friends of the National Railway Museum. The Museum accepted the locomotive from Butlin's in 1976 on a twenty-year loan, and purchased it in 1987. It first ran as the Museum's flagship locomotive in 1980 and was operational until 1985. After an extensive overhaul, it resumed running in 1989 and was finally withdrawn from main line duty in 1996 when its seven-year boiler ticket expired.

From 1998 to 2005, 46229 was a static exhibit in the National Railway Museum, standing next to Mallard. She is one of three preserved Duchesses, the others being 6233 Duchess of Sutherland and 46235 City of Birmingham.

In September 2005 the National Railway Museum announced that the streamlining would be re-instated, returning the locomotive to its original appearance. This work was undertaken at Tyseley Locomotive Works and on 18th May 2009 it was returned to the National Railway Museum, going on display in a new exhibition called "Duchess of Hamilton Streamlined: Styling An Era"."

Unfortunately apart from a limited edition model from the NRM there are no other Duchess Class locomotives available for model makers. That said Hornby do do the similar Coronation Class locomotives which could be converted.
Click here to find out more about the Coronation Class loco.

Evel Knievel Stunt Set

I couldn't help it! When I saw this I had to post it even though it has nothing to do with Model Trains! Its the Evel Knieval Stunt Set which I remember so well from the 70's.

"The 1970s may well have been the decade that taste forgot but it was peppered with all-American heroes: from the Six Million Dollar Man and Vegas-era Elvis to Fonzie, Muhammad Ali and Burt Reynolds. But for lovers of derring-do, there was only one idol worth worshipping: Evel Knievel.



Whether he was plummeting down a canyon, careering headfirst into the side of Caesar's Palace, or going for a burton whilst attempting to leap over a load of London buses, our bourbon-soaked hero managed to generate more column inches than any other accident-prone stuntman in history.

But the main thing Evel Knievel will be remembered for is the ludicrously popular toy bearing his name. This gloriously entertaining stunt cycle single-handedly saved the ailing 70s toy industry and eventually grossed over $350 million dollars. Not bad for a wind-up bike with a bendy figure sitting on it!

And now you can recreate those wonder years with these re-issued classics. The Evel Knievel Super Stunt Set and the Evel Knievel Super Stunt Cycle have been made using the original 70s moulds. The memories will come flooding back the second you start cranking the energiser. Evel's incredibly sturdy stunt bike still shoots down staircases, whizzes along corridors and scares the living daylights out of cats and dogs. It also allows you to perform the frankly insane stunts Evel made famous over 30 years ago - including wheelies, jumps, flips and wince-inducing wipe-outs...."


click here to see a video of the Evel Knieval Stunt Set!!!!

Sundance Central Modular Railroad - 1

The Sundance Central is a 1:20.3 scale modular model railroad consisting of 22 modules for a layout size of 45' by 20' in its original configuration. The layout consists of 235' of hand laid code 250 aluminum rails that are hand spiked with individual tie plates onto wood ties. This is video 1 of 3 in the series.

Grand Central Railway HST leaves York station. View from NRM viewing gallery

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0-4-0 No. 3 at NRM

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Bachmann's VDA Vans

These freight vehicles for the 1970's to 1990's were recently reviewed in British Railway Modelling magazine and were given favourible reviews. "A lovely looking model with a sharp lively livery application, good colours and some really fine detail. It's going to be a popular choice of D&E modellers."

These vans are currently available at a 20% discount with a further 5% discount of purchases of 5 more or more.

Click here for details of how to order

Circus Train Big Top Circus

The Circus comes to town with this exciting new Railroad train set. The Circus train brings the excitement and the fun of the Circus straight to your door.

This exclusive Hornby Railroad set is complete with colourful locomotive, assortment of wagons plus an oval of track with siding and controller.

This set also includes a card Big Top, and a Circus Midimat on which you can gradually add to your track layout in easy stages (using the Hornby Track pack).

A full range of die-cast metal Circus vehicles are available with additional circus wagons, tents and side shows from the Hornby Thomas range.

Contents:
Bartellos 0-4-0 Diesel locomotive.
Circus closed wagon
Big Top flat bed with tent
Wild Cats Circus lorry on flat bed.

Track:
3rd radius starter oval. Track packs A&B
C990 wall transformer
R8250 train controller
Power track
Hornby Midimat 1600x 1270mm
Bartellos Circus big top card kit.

Click here for details of how to order

Current price £45.00 which is a saving of £34.99 on the RRP - Bargain!

Hornby East Coast Sleeper Value Package - over £75 off

Pick up a bargain with this value package from Hornby.

Pacakge comprises the folowing items in individual packaging.

R2691 BR 4-6-2 Robin Hood Britannia Loco
R4264A BR 61ft 1st Class Sleeper Coach
R4264B BR 61ft 1st Class Sleeper Coach

Available while stocks last only.

click here for more info

Class A1 60163 Tornado BR Apple Green from Bachmann

A1 Class No. 60163 Tornado in lined BR apple green with BRITISH RAILWAYS in full on the tender.

The A1 Class, which numbered 49 locomotives in total, has usually been accredited to A H Peppercorn of the LNER, but in reality their construction was authorised when Thompson was still the CME at Doncaster.

The first 16 were authorised for construction at Doncaster, in October 1945, followed by an additional 23 in 1946, built at Darlington.The remainder of the Class was built at Doncaster in 1949.

Tenders linked to Darlington engines had countersunk (flush) rivets, whilst Doncaster tenders had snap-head rivets clearly visible on their surfaces. Originally the locomotives were un-named, but later took names removed from Class A4’s, whilst others were named after previous CME’s, and a few named after constituent companies which formed the LNER.

On their introduction, the A1’s were allocated to principal sheds between London and Edinburgh on the East Coast Main Line, working many of the prestigious expresses. The arrival of Type 4 and ‘Deltic’ diesels on the ECML saw the A1’s quickly withdrawn from service, sadly after only fifteen years working life and all were scrapped.

The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust - a registered charity - has built a completely new 'A1' to the original design and with the help of the latest technology. Fitted with additional water capacity and the latest railway safety electronics, Tornado is fully equipped for today’s main line railway. The loco is currently hauling specials on the main line and details can be seen at www.a1steam.com

Release date Nov/Dec 2009 - Pre order yours now

How To Avoid Model Railroad Derailments

Are you frustrated because your model trains derail from time to time?

This was a major frustration for me. I would fix one section of the track and the next day the train would derail on another section.

It frustrated me to the point of wanting to give the hobby away..!

A smooth running model train is a dream for most model train beginners. But it is actually quite easy to achieve with a little attention to detail.

Here are 7 ways to stop your model train derailing:

1 - Ensure every joint on your track is level, aligned and properly fitted.

Sounds like common sense? But poorly assembled track joints are the worst offenders for derailing model trains.

Slide your finger across the joint. It should feel level with the gap between the tracks kept to the absolute minimum. I solder my joints because this stops any problems with expansion and contraction opening and closing of the joints.

With a small file I am able to create a continuously level track and have a beautifully smooth running model train.

2 - Check your track gauge on joints, turnouts and frog assemblies.

Another common problem for model train derailments is incorrect track gauge. A tight track gauge will cause the wheels to climb up and derail off the track.

A wide track gauge will also derail your model train as the wheel flanges can not span the track properly. The gauge can be adjusted using a soldering iron to gently heat the rail, moving the rail to the correct position and allowing it to cool.

3 - Check your switch points for sharpness when they switch.

Some new switch points can be fairly blunt on the movable section where it strikes up against the stock rails. This can grab on the wheels and cause a model train derailment.

A small file can be used to gently smooth the moveable part of the points to allow a nice smooth transition. Remember to check the gauge in both positions.

4 - Check all your model train couplers.

A snagging coupler will cause model train derailments. Some new carriages can come with unpolished couplers which can catch and force derailments.

Clean off any rough edges and adjust the couplers for proper centering. The manufacturers usually provide these instructions.

5 - Add extra weight to your freight cars.

I find that most freight cars are too light and sometimes all the wheels do not contact the rails equally. By adding a small amount of weight to the cars your model train will run smoother and you will eliminate derailments, especially on the tight radius’s.

Just make sure you add the weight as low as possible to the car and in the centre, keeping a low center of gravity.

6 - Check all your wheel sets for proper operation.

Wheel sets that are out of gauge, not aligned or moving freely will cause your model train to derail. Check your wheel sets and make sure that your carriages are not crabbing and forcing the wheel flanges into the rail, making it prone to derail.

The carriages should rock freely to take up any small imperfections in your track.

7 - Lubricate the squeaks.

Sometimes the smallest drop of light oil will cure a problem with your model train derailing. An unlubricated or snaggy wheel, or coupler, can cause a slight tip over, or jar, which usually forces the wheel flange to snag the rail and derail your model train.

Oil attracts dust and can damage paintwork, so make sure you use only the smallest amount required.

Now you have no reason to put up with your model train derailing.

It usually comes down to a small bit of maintenance from time to time. With the quality most manufacturers are producing today, and some ongoing maintenance, you can make model train derailments a thing of the past.

Hornby Roadshow Event - London Festival of Railway Modelling 2009, Alexandra Palace

The Hornby Roadshow team visit Alexandra Palace, London, for the London Festival of Railway Modelling.

North Eastern Steam Main Title Sequence 'Revised Version'

"Seen as things have been quiet, I decided to upload the revised title sequence which also has the release date for Episode 1. Enjoy "

British Railway Modelling June 09 Out Now

The lastest edition of British Railway Modelling came through subscribers letter boxes earlier this week and it comes in at a big 180 pages with a free supplement Layout of a Lifetime: 5.

British Railway Modelling is the quality model railway monthly for modellers of all scales and gauges. Featuring beautifully photographed layouts and detailed articles to inspire both the new and experienced railway modeller, together with product and book reviews, diary dates of model railway events and pages of retail outlets. Subscribe to British Railway Modelling today and experience railway modelling at its best. Save up to 25% off the newsstand price and receive your copies direct to your door!
Lets Subscribe

Hornby Standard 4 Pre-Production Sample

An HD look at the forthcoming Standard 4 class locomotive. WATCH IN HD.

Out Now - The Railway Magazine June 09

This months Railway Magazine is now out. You can now order the magazine so that it is delivered to you electronically which is a great way to ensure that you get your copy as it is released. By ordering the digital version you can read the magazine online or download to your PC to read offline later. If you click the link below you can test the magazine out by getting three free zoomed pages from the latest copy. The best thing to do is to open it up and browse the limited version before deciding which pages to enhance.

The Railway Magazine has been published since 1897 and is now the UK's best-selling general interest rail title. Every month, The RM provides enthusiasts and professionals with authoritative and informed news coverage of the following: - Network Rail and the train operating companies- Locomotives, multiple units, carriages and wagons- Steam, heritage and the preservation world, inc narrow gauge- Metro and underground systems- In addition, the magazine carries frequent items of overseas interest.The Railway Magazine is also renowned for its wide-ranging and innovative

Click here to test the electronic version of Railway Magazine

The Ivatt 4MT 2-6-0 arrives

My Ivatt 4MT 2-6-0 that I ordered from OnTracks turned up yesterday which was a turn around of just a few days. I have managed to get it onto our current layout and take the picture that you see above. I will be looking to totally redesign the layout shortly and the Ivatt will be a core engine in that layout as I will be modelling a small village station on the old Spalding to Yarmouth line which was shut in 1959.

You can see what else OnTracks have to offer by clicking here.

Ivatt 4MT 2-6-0

I've been spending some time looking into trains that would have ran on the M&GN lines in the area around Spalding in Lincolnshire. There seems to be a lot of Ivatt 2-6-0's and J6 0-6-0 on the line up to the closure of a lot of the line in the area in 1959.

I'm intending to model a stretch between Spalding and Holbeach and to that end I have ordered an Ivatt 4MT 2-6-0 as the first train that properly fits the line being modelled. A number of other Ivatt class trains can be found at OnTracks

70350 City of Peterborough at Nene Valley Railway

The 70350 City of Peterborough leaves Nene Valley Railway station on its way to Peterborough on 4 May 2009.

City of Peterborough steam train at Nene Valley Railway

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Make a static grass applicator with an electric fly swatter: Part 3

This is part 3 of a 3 part series on how to make a "Poor Man's" static grass applicator out of an electronic fly swatter. I had read a forum post over at trains.com that this could be done and I had to try it myself. If you play your cards right, you'll spend less than 10 dollars to make this thing. Happy grassing on your model railroad!

Make a static grass applicator with an electric fly swatter: Part 2

This is part 2 of a 3 part series on how to make a "Poor Man's" static grass applicator out of an electronic fly swatter. I had read a forum post over at trains.com that this could be done and I had to try it myself. If you play your cards right, you'll spend less than 10 dollars to make this thing. Happy grassing on your model railroad!

Make a static grass applicator with an electric fly swatter: Part 1

This is part 1 of a 3 part series on how to make a "Poor Man's" static grass applicator out of an electronic fly swatter. I had read a forum post over at trains.com that this could be done and I had to try it myself. If you play your cards right, you'll spend less than 10 dollars to make this thing. Happy grassing on your model railroad!

Barrow Hill Roundhouse Event 040409

More from the Barrow Hill Roundhouse event.

Action from the days events at the Barrow Hill Festival with 5000 spectators. A1 60163 Tornado, A4 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley, A4 60009 Union of South Africa, K1 62005, O4 63601, A2 60532 Blue Peter, N7 69621 (failed), J17 8217, GC Director 506 Butler Henderson, long term resident Black 5 45110, 1F 41708 and Peckett 2000.

Barrow Hill Roundhouse Steam Gala Photos

It's taken me a week but I've finally got around to uploading the photos that I took at last weeks steam gala. You can see them in the slideshow below:

Barrow Hill Roundhouse Steam Day

This video from 5 April 2009 features the stars of the weekends event at Barrow Hill Roundhouse - A1 - 60163 Tornado, A2 - 60532 Blue Peter, A4 - 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley and A4 - 60009 Union of South Africa. Many other trains were on show to make this a great day out.

Sir nigel gresley at barrow hill

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Sir Nigel Gresley and Tornado

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Tornado under steam

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National express gets a pull at Alexandra Palace

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Blackmill layout

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Hampton End at Ally Pally train show

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Landscapes For Model Train Villages

Landscapes for Model Train Village -- powered by ExpertVillage.com

In this video you can see how easy it is to make some landscapes for your model train layout. By just using some styrofoam, glue and a wire cutter the actual mountains can be easily constructed.

How To Avoid Model Railroad Derailments

Are you frustrated because your model trains derail from time to time?

This was a major frustration for me. I would fix one section of the track and the next day the train would derail on another section.

It frustrated me to the point of wanting to give the hobby away..!

A smooth running model train is a dream for most model train beginners. But it is actually quite easy to achieve with a little attention to detail.

Here are 7 ways to stop your model train derailing:

1 - Ensure every joint on your track is level, aligned and properly fitted.

Sounds like common sense? But poorly assembled track joints are the worst offenders for derailing model trains.

Slide your finger across the joint. It should feel level with the gap between the tracks kept to the absolute minimum. I solder my joints because this stops any problems with expansion and contraction opening and closing of the joints.

With a small file I am able to create a continuously level track and have a beautifully smooth running model train.

2 - Check your track gauge on joints, turnouts and frog assemblies.

Another common problem for model train derailments is incorrect track gauge. A tight track gauge will cause the wheels to climb up and derail off the track.

A wide track gauge will also derail your model train as the wheel flanges can not span the track properly. The gauge can be adjusted using a soldering iron to gently heat the rail, moving the rail to the correct position and allowing it to cool.

3 - Check your switch points for sharpness when they switch.

Some new switch points can be fairly blunt on the movable section where it strikes up against the stock rails. This can grab on the wheels and cause a model train derailment.

A small file can be used to gently smooth the moveable part of the points to allow a nice smooth transition. Remember to check the gauge in both positions.

4 - Check all your model train couplers.

A snagging coupler will cause model train derailments. Some new carriages can come with unpolished couplers which can catch and force derailments.

Clean off any rough edges and adjust the couplers for proper centering. The manufacturers usually provide these instructions.

5 - Add extra weight to your freight cars.

I find that most freight cars are too light and sometimes all the wheels do not contact the rails equally. By adding a small amount of weight to the cars your model train will run smoother and you will eliminate derailments, especially on the tight radius’s.

Just make sure you add the weight as low as possible to the car and in the centre, keeping a low center of gravity.

6 - Check all your wheel sets for proper operation.

Wheel sets that are out of gauge, not aligned or moving freely will cause your model train to derail. Check your wheel sets and make sure that your carriages are not crabbing and forcing the wheel flanges into the rail, making it prone to derail.

The carriages should rock freely to take up any small imperfections in your track.

7 - Lubricate the squeaks.

Sometimes the smallest drop of light oil will cure a problem with your model train derailing. An unlubricated or snaggy wheel, or coupler, can cause a slight tip over, or jar, which usually forces the wheel flange to snag the rail and derail your model train.

Oil attracts dust and can damage paintwork, so make sure you use only the smallest amount required.

Now you have no reason to put up with your model train derailing.

It usually comes down to a small bit of maintenance from time to time. With the quality most manufacturers are producing today, and some ongoing maintenance, you can make model train derailments a thing of the past.

Miniatur Wunderland Hamburg *** official corporate video *** largest model railway in the world

The image video of Miniatur Wunderland Hamburg, the largest model railway in the world and one of the most successful permanent exhibitions in Germany.

Model Railroad VLog: I'm finally painting the backdrop - Part 8

Alright! I finally started painting the backdrop behind the interchange on my model railroad. Here's part 8 in accelerated format. This is the last part in this series.

Peterborough Toy Fair @ the Cresset

I went to the toy fair at Peterborough today and managed to pick up some carriages on the cheap and also managed to get some new Y points and some small straight pieces of track at a slight discount to retail. It has to be said that under the current economic climate that this is a getting yourself to a toy fair is a great way to get the pieces you need for your layout.

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Model Railroad VLog: I'm finally painting the backdrop - Part 7

"Alright! I finally started painting the backdrop behind the interchange on my model railroad. Here's part 7 in accelerated format."

Huntingdon toy fair

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Bankruptcy derails toy train maker Märklin

Germany’s storied model train maker Märklin said on Wednesday it had filed for insolvency after delighting fans of tiny railways for the past 150 years.

Based in Göppingen some 40 kilometres east of Stuttgart, Märklin said it hopes to continue operations while it undergoes restructuring.

“We hope to work with insolvency regulators to overhaul and re-establish our company with its long tradition and cult status according to German bankruptcy law,” Märklin executive Dietmar Mundil said.

The beleaguered toy train company employs 1,050 people – 650 in Germany around 400 in Hungary. Founded in 1859, the firm has belonged to British financial investor Kingsbridge Capital since 2006.

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Columbia Historical Society HO Model Railroad Video 8

This video shows a Reading freight and Pennsy Passenger train traveling the Columbia Branch near Port Interlocking. The small building on the upper level that fell off its foundation has since been fixed, and the high fascia in this area has been lowered down. As Ken shoots more videos of both Columbia layout and the Stiegel Valley Model RR, I'll post them.

Accessories For Your Model Railway Layout

Whilst thinking of adding accessories to your model train layout you will need to carefully consider the scale of your layout. As a quick guide the following scales are some of the most common - O Scale (1:48), S Scale (1:64), OO Scale (1:76), HO Scale (1:87), N Scale (1:160) and finally Z Scale (1:220).

As you can see from the paragraph above there are lots of different model railway scales and thus you have to make sure that when you are buying any accesories for your railway that you are buying the right ones. For example you may wish to change the name plate on your locomotive or add some decals to the engine then you need to make sure that you buy the right size plate or decal if you want the engine to look great. Some of these differences are quite obvious when it comes to items to go onto your train but are less so when it comes to tree systems and sometimes buildings. For example I have first hand experience of a retailer telling me that some of the Bachmann trees were not suitable for OO scale which was not strictly true as firstly using the dimensions on the back of the packet it specifically said that they were suitable and in any case if I was building a layout which had perspective then I may have needed some N scale trees to go at the back of the layout.

Some common accessories that you may wish to consider range from fishplates, track pins, buffers, uncoupling ramps, track supports, level crossings, fencing, lighting systems for stations and buildings and underlay for your track. And that doesn't really touch the sides as there are any number of scenery accessories and buildings that you can buy or build.

A simple accesory that can significantly add to the look of your layout is a tunnel portal. You often see tunnel systems with a brick facia going into the hillside and you can buy any number of different types of these to add realism to your model railway layout. Alternatively with brick patterns available to purchase or to download you can make your own bespoke tunnel portals.
When it comes to adding lights to the inside of your buildings then the bulbs or diodes that you use can be the same across a number of scales but if you are to have the lights on view such as a street lighting system or station lighting then you will need to make sure that the accessories are the right size for your layout.

If you are really into making the models yourself then you should consider the level of detail that you like to put into your models before deciding on your scale as it is likely that at the smaller scales a level of detail will need to be sacrificed because of the size.

To summarise therefore there are an abundance of accessories that are available for model railway enthusiasts and these are available in many different scales. Whilst there may be some crossover between scales this would tend to be very limited so it is important that when visiting your store that you know exactly what scale you are working to and/or what you are trying to achieve if you buy a product in a different scale.

One of the best places I have found for buying my accessories is at On Tracks as they cater for many different scales and have a huge range of products available online.

Making Tunnels: Part 3

Part 3 of a short tutorial on making tunnels

Making Tunnels: Part 2

Part 2 of a short tutorial on making tunnels

Making Tunnels: Part 1

Part 1 of a short tutorial on making tunnels

5 Tips To Restore Your Old Lionel Trains

by Nathan Griffin

Has your Lionel train seen fresher days? Wouldn’t it be pleasant to see it chugging around on it’s track once more, beaming the same sweetheart as the day it was seen that Christmas morning so long ago?

Repairing and reconstructing your old Lionel train can be very accomplishing. You can savor in the warm glowing of memories of past, and so make new memories to go on with them!

The nice thing is, you can do this yourself with just a little patience and know-how! Once you’ve fixed it, conserving your old train’s glory is for the most part a topic of a pat of oil nowadays and so in the exact positions to keep it running smoothly.

How do you reconstruct Lionel Trains?

The introductory step in restoring an old Lionel train is to make it all cleaned up.

Rub it all off with a soft cloth to get rid of junk and stain.

You can take out rust with rust remover or sand paper. If you see green or crusty white spots, that is oxidisation, and you can get rid of it with oxidisation remover.

The final part in your cleaning is to wipe down the tracks, the wheels of the cars, and any moving parts with a light oil spray. Use Q-Tips soaked with the oil to get into smaller areas, like the wheels, and use a soft cloth soaked with the oil for the tracks. Buff it all up with a clean part of the cloth.

Put a pat of the oil on some running parts, and function it in so that they run smoothly and easily. You can utilise a toothpick to catch tiny pieces of oil for the reasonable areas.

Now that it is clean and shining, you can begin your repairs.

Make sure all the pieces of the path blended together tightly. If they don’t, and then bend the connectors back into position with moderate pairs of pliers. It might take a few attempts to get them merely right, merely you should be capable to get a hard fit.

Take the bodies off of your cars, and visit the insides. Clean them as earlier, and attend for broken functions. It Is truly simple to exchange these sections yourself. You can buy them at a Lionel trains specialization store, some hobby storehouses, or order them from Lionel trains functions catalogs. Simply unscrew them and screw in the replacement part.

Lastly, does your train move? See it after you’ve cleaned it all, because built up dirt and grime could cause the connector ‘tween the train and the track to be so hard that it keeps it from running. If its clean and still doesn’t run, check to see if the plug is working. If the plug appears Right, it may be that the transformer wants repair or substitute.

You can find detailed directions about how to make the transformer, and every of the different regions of Lionel trains at LionelManuals.com. They have a 2 CD set of full guides, blueprints, and diagrams for all Lionel train manufactured from 1906 through 1986. The set also takes on a parts and accessories catalog for your convenience.

Use the repair manuals to complete any other necessary repairs for your train.

Ready to hold your Lionel train, plainly keep it clean and furbished, oil the moving parts every so often, and it should make you many more yr of enjoyment!

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