Category Archives: Hints and tips

Model Railway Journal no. 235

Posted on December 23, 2014 by snitchthebudgie

I used to buy the MRJ regularly, enjoying the high quality of model making, and sometimes even taking away an idea that I could use myself.  Why did I stop?  I’m not sure – I stopped buying most railway magazines … Continue reading →

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Book review – ‘Great Model Railroads 2015’

Posted on December 15, 2014 by snitchthebudgie

One essential purchase every year is the Model Railroader ‘Great Model Railroads’ special.  I may have given up Model Railroader itself, but this annual magazine, and also the ‘Model Railroad Planning’ issue in the new year, are always worth buying … Continue reading →

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And a DVD review – ‘Layout Planning and Design’

Posted on November 13, 2014 by snitchthebudgie

Following my purchase of the BRM layout design special, I almost immediately came across a DVD review on the excellent ‘Basilica Fields’ blog.  (At least, it’s an excellent blog if you can cope with someone with a 30-year plan for … Continue reading →

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Book review – ‘The BRM Guide to Trackplans & Layout Design

Posted on November 3, 2014 by snitchthebudgie

Browsing in WH Smiths (as one does) today, I came across a new British Railway Modelling publication, their ‘Guide to Trackplans & Layout Design’.  I’m a sucker for any book of track plans, so I quickly parted with my £5.99 … Continue reading →

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From the ridiculous to the sublime (couplers #2)

Posted on September 15, 2014 by snitchthebudgie

Of course there is nothing new under the sun.  Looking on the RMweb community and N-gauge forum, I find that people have been making their own transparent Rapido couplers, and that Mathieson fit their PO wagons with them, and offer spares.  I … Continue reading →

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An amazing N-gauge coupler

Posted on September 12, 2014 by snitchthebudgie

The challenge for the railway modeller (at least this one) is always the couplers.  You want a balance between something that works well and maybe even uncouples remotely, and something very inconspicuous.  And if you don’t use the industry standard … Continue reading →

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Railway modelling is not fun

Posted on August 17, 2014 by snitchthebudgie

Originally posted on The Erratic and Wandering Journey:
My friend Mike Cougill has made a few posts recently about model railroading and “fun”. He even went so far as to pose 20 questions on the subject. As he has recently…

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OCE – Three Steps Closer to Perfection

Posted on August 2, 2014 by snitchthebudgie

Originally posted on The Erratic and Wandering Journey:
Have a look at this simple, beautiful picture: Picture reproduced by kind permission of Trevor Marshall Just a train running through some woodland, next to a river, right? Yes. And also, no.…

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Track cleaning tips

Posted on July 15, 2014 by snitchthebudgie

This month’s Model Railroad Hobbyist has an excellent article on track and wheel cleaning.  Here are a few excerpts…. The author, Brent Ciccone, starts with the question, “Problem #1: My track is dirty and I have an open house tomorrow!”… … Continue reading →

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Layout design – different voices – Carendt.com is back

Posted on June 27, 2014 by snitchthebudgie

After a lot of work, the new version of the best micro-layout site around, Carendt.com, has been launched.  Hopefully new content in the form of new ‘Small Layout Scrapbook’ posts will follow soon. The site has been updated as to its … Continue reading →

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