What are the best train sets to buy in 2019? How do you start in the model railway hobby? Train sets are one option. Here I look at the best value sets available now.
Continue reading “The best train sets to buy in 2019 – Review.”Author: Geoffrey Whittaker BSc MA
Oxford 7 plank wagon, Rickett’s – Review.
The model
Welcome to another rolling stock review. Here we take a look at the Oxford models 7 plank wagon, from Rickett’s . Photos by the author. First released in 2014 the Oxford Rail range continues to grow.
Firstly, the model has a paint finish that is well done and some nicely applied lettering.
Secondly, this model has some amazing detail with metal hooks and buffers. The plastic moulded brake gear is incredibly fine. Wheels are metal with pin-point axles. The wheels also have some nicely printed white walls. These are proving controversial!
The Tampo printing of some minuscule signage, is truly remarkable.
Couplings?
Tension lock couplings are provided in NEM pockets.
Summary
The price is excellent and the amount of detail , amazing. The wheelbase is also correct. This wagon can be had for Around £13. Oxford Rail prices are on the rise, so buy now. New releases are approaching the £20 mark
Compare the detail with a Triang wagon from the 1960’s.
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Hornby Railroad Flying Scotsman- R3086, Review and buy links
The Prototype
The Hornby Railroad Flying Scotsman is based on the world famous Flying Scotsman locomotive .She was built in 1923, for the LNER. The incomparable Nigel Gresley was the designer. He was the chief mechanical engineer of the GNR. The Great Northern Railway was one of the constituent companies present for the grouping in 1923. Flying Scotsman is a Pacific locomotive with a 4-6-2 wheel arrangement. The first Pacific in the U.K was built for the GWR in 1908. That was the “Great Bear”.
Continue reading “Hornby Railroad Flying Scotsman- R3086, Review and buy links”Retro Review – Triang R15, UD Milk Tanker, 1955-75.
Welcome to another retro review. Here we look at a Triang wagon from my Collection. This is the R.15 United dairies four wheel milk tanker. All photos, the author.
Continue reading “Retro Review – Triang R15, UD Milk Tanker, 1955-75.”Retro Reviews – Triang, R112 Drop Door, Goods wagon, 1958-70.
Welcome to another retro review. Here we look at a Triang wagon from my Collection. This is the R112 drop door goods wagon, running number M2313. All photos, the author.
The prototype
The prototype drop side wagon was a common sight throughout the stream era. Compare the buffers with the model.
The model – Triang R112 Drop side goods wagon
R112 actually appeared in the first Triang catalogue from 1955, with a NE livery. It became No M2313 in 1958 and remained in the Triang-Hornby range until 1970.
How to Ballast track – top tips.
How to ballast track – ballasting the track will go a long way to making your layout more realistic. Unfortunately, it can also play havoc with your points and train running. Additionally it can take a long time. However, with a few simple tips you can get a good finish with minimal time and effort. First,lets prepare the baseboard and get the correct materials. You will need:
- Your choice of ballast
- PVA
- Syringe or eye dropper
- Ex detergent,bottle, spray type.
- Washing up liquid
- large flat brush, 1″
- Black ink for colouring
- Brown acrylic paint for weathered ballast
Ingrow Station, Reference Photos Set.
A set of reference photos of Ingrow station on the Keighley and Worth Valley railway, July 2019. useful for the Midland Railway colours.
Continue reading “Ingrow Station, Reference Photos Set.”Airfix Lineside Models – Vintage Ads. Signal Box
Originally released in 1957, the signal box ad below, dates from 1960. From the author’s collection
4F Locomotive Reference Photos Set
A set of photos featuring a 4F locomotive on the Worth Valley Railway, in July 2019. Photos by the author
Continue reading “4F Locomotive Reference Photos Set”Who Makes the Best Value Model Railway Trees? – Review.
There are many model railway trees on the market, from mediocre, to high end bespoke models. Bespoke models are expensive but look like the real thing. This article looks at model trees in order of cost.
So what is available?
Make your own trees
Sea foam is still the best for cheapness and realism, when modelling rough forested areas. Gaugemaster do a kit that contains sea foam and various scatters.(out of stock at the time of writing) You can also get sea foam in various sized boxes on Ebay. It is good value at £10.99 for a 2 litre box. All you need then is various scatters and some spray glue. I will write a separate post on how to use sea foam soon. Don’t forget to subscribe to get an email when new posts are released.
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Javis ready made trees
Javis make a selection of ready made trees that are good value but a little too manicured. They are best for parks and gardens. Mix a few different types together to make them less regular. You could also give one or two a “hair cut”. Javis trees are in the £2- £3 range.
Ready Made trees by JTT
JTT make trees primarily for war gaming, but there are some larger ones available, at 4″ high. They are quite expensive but more realistic than Javis. The two below are about £14. JTT also make twisted wire armatures for trees. These will save time and allow you to customise the look.
Garden Craft tree kits
Garden crafts (JTT) make a couple of landscaping tree kits. The “build your own Garden” set is great for making small dioramas. It contains trees, bushes and various scatters. It also comes with mat that has the ground cover attached. It costs £14, Approx.
Faller tree kits
Faller make a range of tree kits. you get a couple of plastic armatures, foliage and some scatter material.They are good value at £4 to £5 and are available from Gaugemaster.
The premium range from Faller is nicely detailed but expensive at £10 – £17 each. The structure is made of plastic with a join at the base, that needs filling. They would also benefit from some weathering on the trunk.
Gaugemaster tree packs
You can save money by getting a mutipack, Gaugemaster have a useful range, made by themselves.
Noch profi trees
Another German manufacturer with a large range of trees is Noch. Their profi trees range of large native species are up to 20cm high. At £14 approx they are good value and make a good centre piece feature.
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