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How to Build a Model Railway (Hardback)

Military > Modelling P&S History > By Century > 19th Century P&S History > By Century > 20th Century Transport > Railway Modelling Transport > Trains & Railways

By David Ashwood
Imprint: Pen & Sword Transport
Series: Train Craft
Pages: 112
Illustrations: 200 colour integrated
ISBN: 9781399094849
Published: 8th November 2022

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Moving from a train set out of a box to making your own model railway can seem a daunting proposition. Whether you go your own way, wish to follow a prototype tightly or have an inherited stock that you want to make the best of, this book covers the act of deciding on a design that will keep the interest alive. In easy stages, the book shows how executing your project can extend your skills set, finish it to a quality you are satisfied with, while within a time and financial limit. Here, learning from those who have had both successes and the occasional false start will assist you in the development of your project while maintaining its interest. The book aims to explain jargon and includes such subjects as project design and planning, alternative baseboard construction methods, track laying and basic electrics, all accompanied by rich and varied imagery. The Market Deeping Model railway club rose to public notice in May 2019 following the sad overnight vandalism of their annual railway show. The breaking news story became a worldwide cause célèbre bringing a whirlwind of kind support from modellers and the general public. The rebuilding of the club’s damaged layouts and new projects for replacements gave the rare opportunity of experienced modellers to photograph and document the build process and revisit the basics. The results are incorporated into this book making a positive and cathartic activity from a distinctly negative situation.

As featured by

The Broad Gauge Society

As featured on Military Model Scene

Military Model Scene

"For anybody contemplating building their first layout it would be an excellent primer."

Ffestiniog Railway Magazine - Spring 2023

Out of these metaphorical ashes the club is now working to promote the hobby and open it up to people who may not otherwise have thought of modelling - such as through schools - and this book is a manifestation of that ambition. Now that is an excellent reason for the book, and I really hope it helps bring people into the hobby.

Read the Full Review Here

Michael's Model Railways

The book will help you understand how to pick a scale, perform some woodworking, lay down track, do some wiring, and maintain everything once its up and running.

Read full review here

The Historical Miniatures Gaming Society

Readers will remember with a shudder the appalling vandalism to the Market Deeping Model Railway Club exhibition just before it opened in May 2019. Years of work heartbreakingly trashed by a group of morons.

Member’s plight attracted worldwide sympathy and donations including one from Sir Rod Stewart. Club members responded positively, using donations to set up a charity promoting school model railway clubs, assist good causes and look after historical assets representing the model railway hobby.

This book is a result of that endeavour. It explains scale, planning a layout (with examples), storing a portable track, constructing baseboards and ensuring access, track laying, planning a layout, electrics and power supply. All a lot more complicated than in my young days of attempting to build a TT3 layout but these days operation is helped by Digital Command and Control. For further information there are lists of model railway associations and magazines.

A helpful book for someone starting in this absorbing hobby. So it deserves to sell well as any profits from this book go back to the Club’s charity fund.

York Model Engineers Newsletter - January 2023

Article: 'Modellers secure four-book deal'

Stamford Mercury

Article: 'Attacked train buff group in book joy'

The Sun

A nice overview for those considering starting a layout. Covers the basics.

James Simmonds

About David Ashwood

David Ashwood first visited a model railway show at the Central Hall Westminster in 1974 and has been through many iterations of layout type and scale through the years. At one time being a part time die cast and kits trader at model shows and exhibitions. He is now an active member of the Market Deeping Model Railway Club and Gauge O Guild. He is enjoying a personal model railway renaissance.

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