Modelling – Alton Model Railway Group

Latest Modelling Articles

The most recent modelling articles

DCC in Tight Spaces

Adding DCC where it should not fit, by James Taylor

‘As a long time user of DCC and in prototype terms proponent of the odd, small and unusual I have had occasion to install mobile decoders in some tight spaces’

Scenic Modelling Tips and Techniques

Some thoughts, tips and techniques, by Roger Joel

‘…the ballast should be applied ‘dry’ and brushed into the desired position and thickness using a small paint brush…’

A Shorty Maintenance of Way Train

Modelling a Maintenance of Way train, by Paul Joel

‘…it took a bit of searching (and some funny looks in Hobbycraft) to find scale lumber that matched Peco’s On30 sleepers…’

A Guide to Scale & Gauge

A brief introduction to commonly used model “sizes” – by James Taylor

‘…when someone starts taking an interest in model railways, quite frequently, they get bombarded by different information on scale and gauge and get utterly confused…’

The Mixed Goods

A variety of articles on various aspects of the hobby, including rolling stock, layout building and more

A Guide to Painting Your Model

A Short Guide to Quality Paint Finishes Without the Use of an Airbrush, by Steve Cook

‘Whether you are … an experienced modeller or new to the hobby the task of painting your model can spell the difference between satisfaction and frustration.’

A Guide to Scale & Gauge

A brief introduction to commonly used model “sizes” – by James Taylor

‘…when someone starts taking an interest in model railways, quite frequently, they get bombarded by different information on scale and gauge and get utterly confused…’

Is Bigger Really Better?

Trials and Tribulations in Gauge 3 – an interview with Mark Pretious of ‘Blackgang’ fame

‘…there is a great social aspect to Gauge 3 because to have a meaningful operating session you need more than one persons baseboards and stock…’

Making the figures on Pine Bluffs Depot

Creating some unique figures for Pine Bluffs, by Denis Holland.

‘First I scraped off the jeans and shaped the legs to appear bare. Then I had a cold shower!’

Scenic Modelling Tips and Techniques

Some thoughts, tips and techniques, by Roger Joel

‘…the ballast should be applied ‘dry’ and brushed into the desired position and thickness using a small paint brush…’

DCC - Digital Command Control

Find out how to drive the locomotive and not the track

An Old Modeller Once Told Me – DCC

A.N.Oldgit considers the importance of good electrics when wiring for DCC.

‘…don’t forget to keep the track clean and if you use a ‘track rubber’ have a final wipe around to remove any rubber dust…’

Bringing DCC to Group Layouts

How the Group have approached using DCC on our layouts, by Roger Joel

‘The OO Gauge Section…chose to adopt Digitrax equipment from a commonality standpoint…’

DCC from a UK perspective

A beginners guide to DCC, by Roger Joel

‘DCC…has been the norm in the USA for many years. But it is only in the last decade that these systems have taken off in the UK.’

DCC in Tight Spaces

Adding DCC where it should not fit, by James Taylor

‘As a long time user of DCC and in prototype terms proponent of the odd, small and unusual I have had occasion to install mobile decoders in some tight spaces’

Narrow Minded - Adventures on the 30" Gauge

A series of articles on modelling American On30.

A Shorty Maintenance of Way Train

Modelling a Maintenance of Way train, by Paul Joel

‘…it took a bit of searching (and some funny looks in Hobbycraft) to find scale lumber that matched Peco’s On30 sleepers…’

An On30 kit bash – the Scrap Car Challenge

Kit-bashing an On30 scrap car, by Paul Joel

‘…anything I had suitable in my ‘bits box’ – I don’t actually have a bits box, but I do now wish I had – I kept finding things I could use that I didn’t know I had…’

The Road to FebEx

Progress with an On30 layout, by Paul Joel

‘…if you have older Porters from Bachmann it is best not to chip them, but get a new one instead – believe me it’s far less hassle that way…’

What is it that makes a layout ‘work’

Why believability is important in a layout, by Roger Joel

‘…there should have been plenty of interest for both the operator and the viewer, but it did not all gel as we had hoped…’

An Old Modeller Once Told Me

Hints and tips from A.N.Oldgit

An Old Modeller Once Told Me – Baseboards

A.N.Oldgit muses on the importance of good baseboards for your layouts

‘…in order to achieve true ’right angles’ and spot on dimensions in the baseboards there is no substitute for a calibrated saw table…’

An Old Modeller Once Told Me – Rocky Scenery

A.N.Oldgit discusses the art of building and colouring rocky scenery.

‘…I employed the tried and tested method of rubber rock moulds (Woodlands Scenics) and plaster of Paris…’

An Old Modeller Once Told Me – DCC

A.N.Oldgit considers the importance of good electrics when wiring for DCC.

‘…don’t forget to keep the track clean and if you use a ‘track rubber’ have a final wipe around to remove any rubber dust…’