Kit Building for Railway Modellers


Book Description

Most modellers, regardless of what scale they work in, rely heavily on the humble plastic or metal kit, and this book will help both novice and more experienced modellers to achieve the very best results. George Dent presents here a clearly written foundation course in constructing rolling stock from kits. Examines tools, glues and materials; Describes how to successfully construct a chassis for wagons and carriages; Covers work in plastic, resin, white metal and brass; Presents an essential in-depth guide to soldering; Considers detailing, modifying and scratch-building; Discusses painting, transfers and weathering. A comprehensive guide to constructing rolling stock from kits, aimed at railway modellers of all abilities - it helps the modeller to achieve the best results form every kit. Volume one outlines all the necessary foundations and techniques relating to the construction, painting, detailing and finishing of rolling stock kits. Superbly and extensively illustrated with 591 colour photographs. George Dent is a highly respected model-maker and author.




Making Model Railway Buildings


Book Description

This invaluable book is essential reading for all railway modellers, whatever their level of expertise. The author provides an overall understanding of the purpose of making buildings for a model railway and covers their construction, their positioning and how to light them. Topics covered include: Railway and non-railway model buildings, explaining how the latter can also enhance your trains. Modelling attitudes, the use of scale, levels of detail and both regional vernacular and railway architecture. Ready-made buildings that you can buy and demonstrates how you can adapt them to your own particular purposes. Different materials available for building structures and ways of choosing, finding, measuring and recording suitable prototypes. Step by step construction of a cardboard building kit to illustrate the use of basic modelling tools and to explain essential procedures and techniques. Using and modifying 'out-of-the-box' model buildings and explores the subtleties of making model railway buildings from scratch without the use of a kit, or anything more than hand-tools and a few sheets of suitable material. Guidance on the appropriate use of texture and colour, and shows how walls, doors, windows, roofs and chimneys can be created, painted, detailed and finished off. Many aspects of lighting, including external lighting, such as street and platform lights, and the internal lighting of buildings, the problems they pose and how they can be resolved.




Weathering for Railway Modellers


Book Description

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.




Making Model Buildings for Garden Railways


Book Description

Whether making buildings to complement a garden railway, creating an entire model village, or simply one stand-alone structure, there is something immensely satisfying in seeing your model building standing proudly outside where it truly belongs, in all weather conditions and throughout the seasons. Here, Peter Jones shows you how to make a variety of buildings, from churches to Tudor houses to locomotive sheds, using different materials and producing different finishes to suit each type of construction.




Building and Painting Model Trucks


Book Description

This richly illustrated book offers a complete guide to building model truck kits, across all of the popular scales. Concentrating on civilian vehicles, renowned modeller George Dent describes the fundamental processes involved in kit-building, including preparation and assembly of components, detailing and modification work including custom fittings, plus an in-depth look at painting and weathering techniques. Featuring a range of popular, readily available kits in all of the popular scales: 1:72, 1:48, 1:35, 1:32 and 1:24, and suitable for modellers of all abilities, each project is clearly explained in an illustrated, step-by-step format with over 680 colour photographs.




Airbrushing for Railway Modellers


Book Description

The airbrush is an essential tool for modelers striving for professional-looking results. It can greatly enhance the quality of your modeling output, whether applying a full livery scheme or simply blending in areas of new paintwork. A good airbrush will offer unparalleled levels of finish and consistency, as well as the chance to create unique effects such as weathering and stenciling. This book reveals how anyone can use an airbrush effectively, provided that a few basic rules are followed. All of the necessary techniques are described, along with a wealth of practical guidance and detailed advice on choosing a spraying set-up to match your own needs and budget.




Building Coaches


Book Description

This beautifully illustrated and practical book covers a wide variety of materials and processes, and tells you everything you need to know about building model railway coaches. Master modeller George Dent guides the reader through the necessary techniques and skills, covering all aspects of the subject, from kit building in metal, plastic, resin and wood; through soldering, weathering, painting and lining; to 3-D printed kits and components; and adding passengers to the carriages. Also includes upgrading off-the-shelf models; kit assembly, scratch-building and finishing. He provides important advice on choosing the right tools, materials and adhesives, covers kit building in metal, plastic, resin and wood and presents many ideas for detailing, modifying and converting ready-to-run and kit-built coaches. With essential step-by-step guides to soldering, weathering, painting and lining, this will be of great interest to all railway modellers, particularly those with some experience. Superbly illustrated with 604 colour photographs.




Making Urban Buildings for Model Railways


Book Description

This fascinating book is aimed at all those modellers who wish to create a model railway set in an urban landscape. It covers the selection and the construction of a wide range of urban buildings, and presents many detailed photographs of real buildings from which the modeller can gain ideas, identify specific features and draw inspiration. Special attention is paid to modelling architectural details and to the effects of weathering. Scratch-building techniques and materials, as well as ready-to-plant buildings and kits are covered. In addition to the buildings themselves, the author also considers the urban setting and infrastructure, and demonstrates how to construct roads and pavements, create authentic street scenes, and make realistic models that accurately reflect, for example, urban decay and dereliction. Finally, consideration is given to persepctive modelling, a concept that provides the modeller with an opportunity to make much better use of a limited amount of space.Essential reading for all model makers, especially those with a passion for railway modelling. Superbly illustrated with over 300 colour illustrations, including step-by-step photographs.




Building 00 Gauge Wagons and Vans for Model Railways


Book Description

This fascinating and detailed book is essential reading for all those railway modellers who wish to build their own wagons and vans. After examining the types of modelling materials that are available and discussing the basic tools that are required, the author demonstrates how the modeller can move on from building simple kits to constructing more complicated kits in a variety of materials, including plastic, white metal and brass. He then considers how kits can be detailed, converted and significantly modified (often referred to as 'kit bashing') before covering the ultimate in rolling stock construction - scratch building. Brimming with practical advice and tips, this remarkable book uses worked examples and step-by-step photographs to show what can be achieved with the application of research, patience and modelling skill. Moreover, although the volume deals with 00 gauge, the ideas and techniques discussed can easily be applied to other gauges/scales. Superbly illustrated with 294 colour photographs and two drawings.




Making Rural Buildings for Model Railways


Book Description

This invaluable, well-illustrated book is essential reading for all those who are interested in developing their modelling skills and creating realistic models of country houses, cottages and farm buildings for their railway layouts. The author encourages and inspires the reader and, moreover, emphasizes that railway modellers can achieve their objectives without purchasing expensive materials. Indeed, all the materials recommended in the book are either recycled or can be obtained quite cheaply.Topics covered include: The materials and equipment required to build models; Modelling methods and construction techniques; Painting, weathering and finishing; Creating a sympathetic setting for your models; Improving kits and 'off-the-shelf' models. The author presents in detail three different rural, scratch-built projects and , in a separate appendix, provides a colour reference guide, thus enabling the modeller to apply the correct colours and shades in order to create authentic and convincing-looking model buildings. An invaluable guide which provides all the information required to create convincing models of rural buildings. Aimed at all those interested in railway modelling whatever their level of ability, and those interested in modelling in general rather than in just railway modelling. Materials and equipment, modelling methods and construction techniques are covered. Superbly illustrated with 320 colour step-by-step photographs and diagrams. David Wright is a professional artist and model maker and provides hands-on experience at railway modelling workshops.