"My hobby has been model railways for many years, since I was given a Tri-ang Princess Elizabeth train set for Christmas as an eight-year-old schoolboy. Over the years I have gained much modelling knowledge from practical experience, and belonging to model railway clubs, quite apart from the wealth gained from working on the 'real thing' from a young post-school teenager through to my retirement. My first published book, The Newcomer's Guide to Model Railways (ISBN 987 1 85794 329 0) has I am told proved to be very popular and has given many readers a great helping hand in their hobby. So it has been deemed necessary that I should produce a second book, which would enhance the first without covering the same ground too much. While in these pages I write about generic items and often reference the real thing, there are many regional variations, and these cannot be taken into account within the confines of this book. Therefore I would recommend that, before staring any regional or era-based project, you undertake a good deal of research to gain the correct facts. Internet searches, books and perhaps visits to preserved railways or to the national network will usually reveal plenty of detail. If you are starting out in the hobby or returning to it after several years of absence and have not obtained a copy of The Newcomer's Guide to Model Railways, I suggest it might be an advantage to obtain one. I hope you enjoy the items you are about to read and hopefully, they will help and possibly nudge you into producing a great model railway layout. Remember -- think safely, then act." -- From back cover.

Sections include: Selecting a suitable scale and gauge; Finding a home for the railway; Building the baseboard; Laying the track; Constructing the landscape; Electrics and control; Point operation; Panels, indications, and lighting, Digital Command Control; Maintenance and tools.

There's a nostalgia associated with model trains and railroading -- even if it's unspoken. Railroads take us back to an earlier era. A more basic time. When spending a week or more on a train was seen as a luxury -- an event in itself -- not at as merely a mode of transportation. You've probably already scouted some model railroad shows. You've no doubt recognized the camaraderie and the passion these folks have. And yes, you're interested in becoming a part of that. "The Wonderful World of Model Trains" will help you do just that! It's a comprehensive guide to model railroading written for someone who is new to this hobby, starting with some basic "train knowledge" & terminologies, and continuing on to the more detailed aspects of the hobby. And yes, this hobby can indeed get quite detailed. And that tends to be intimidating to some people. The beauty of this hobby is that you can get involved at just the level you care too. You'll discover that every model railroader is in it for the love of the trains and the history. The vast majority of us are not out to make a fast buck from our interests. Here's some of the things you'll learn in "The Wonderful World of Model Trains": - How to create stunning terrain in your scenery with these 3 simple techniques... - Different scales, gauges, standards in the world of model railroading and what they all mean... - 2 simple keys (that are right in front of your eyes) to build your own benchwork... - WARNING: 3 things you should never do when it comes to wiring... - A pennies on the dollar approach to finding model train parts... - How to avoid derailing problems... - 3 proven steps to running multiple trains on one track... - 6 time tested and proven strategies for laying out train tracks... - When to add onto your set with locomotives and rolling stock... - 7 everyday but often overlooked tips and tricks for building the best layouts for your scenery... - How to do general maintenance on your model trains and tracks... - And much more...

In railway modelling, getting the technical components correct is essential for a realistic-looking layout but, unfortunately, these often present the biggest challenges for the hobbyist. Using his own experience as a railway modeller and electronics engineer, Andrew Duckworth provides a guide suitable for all railway modellers, from beginners to the more experienced. With instructions on how and where to use specialist electronic circuits to enhance your layout, this book will help you to achieve a reasonably sophisticated layout. It provides: an overview of the geometry required for building successful model railways; clear explanations of electronics and electrical components; comparisons of direct control and digital command control (DCC); step-by-step instructions for wiring the track, signals, buildings and lighting; reviews of electrical systems, power supplies, wires and cable, control panels and switches and finally, it covers detection, testing and troubleshooting tips.

If you want to build a model railway but feel constricted and frustrated because you only have a very limited amount of space available, then this is the book for you. The author demonstrates that a railway modeller need never be 'stuck for space', and shows the reader how to design and construct a rewarding layout in even the smallest of spaces. He emphasizes that once you have found a home for your layout, be it in a garden shed, a spare room, a bookcase or even the top of an ironing board, the same guiding principles apply. These are all fully explained in a very practical way and include the basic layout shapes, the importance of scale, standard and narrow gauges, fiddle yards, train length, curves and turnouts as well as track design elements such as head shunts, kickback sidings and run-round loops. There are individual chapters on: potential spaces; design principles; basic layout shapes; the art of compromise; levels, layers and shelves; planning your layout; baseboards; classic designs and micro-layouts. This fascinating book shows the reader that no matter how small the space, there is always a model railway layout that can be built in it. Aimed at all railway modellers of all levels of ability. Covers how to design, plan and construct a rewarding layout in the smallest of spaces i.e. garden shed, bookcase and even a micro-layout in a box file. Superbly illustrated with 131 colour photographs. Richard Bardsley is an experienced small-layout builder in N gauge and 00 gauge and exhibits widely at numerous shows.

Covers the essential techniques needed to make electrical connections for a three-rail toy train layout of any size or complexity. Addresses fundamental electrical concepts, wiring and expanding a layout, accessory wiring, automatic train control, and troubleshooting. By Peter Riddle.

Once seen as a niche practice, the craft of weathering has now become firmly rooted in the railway modelling mainstream. Not simply a means of rendering models in layers of dirty paint, weathering involves a myriad of techniques aimed at improving realism, including distinctive surface textures, highlights and shading, burnishing and peeling paint finishes. The weathering process brings out the best in a model, making moulded relief or a lustrous livery really stand out. As well as replicating the real world more closely, weathering also helps a model to look at home within a scenic setting. Aimed at modellers of all abilities and eras, this book is an essential guide to creating the most realistic locomotives and rolling stock in any scale. It includes: a guide to tools, paints, washes, dry pigments and other innovative media; the correct techniques for model preparation; a wide range of techniques for wagons, carriages, locomotives and multiple units in any scale; how to replicate authentic surface textures and effects, from polished surfaces to corroded metal and worn timber; how to bring models to life with faded paintwork, peeling and chipped finishes and subtle highlights and shading; the secret to successful airbrushing. This book will be of great interest to railway modellers of varying abilities, particularly those interested in rolling stock and locomotives, and is fully illustrated with 660 colour photographs.