Ralph Brammer (”Rockley Bottom” on the GnATTERbox) has sent in some tips for anyone who wants to try their hand at casting models.

“I was making the rounds at the chalk mine”, writes Michael Mott, “when I found Bertrand making a few oohs and ouches behind the shed. Upon investigation I had found him stuggling with this - it seems that someone had left an old roll of barbed wire some time ago.”

Barbed wire. Wonderfully versatile stuff, but how does one model it in Gn15? Richard Andrews found the answer and I can share his secret with you!

This is a paper by M. DECAUVILLE, Aîne, of Petit-Bourg (Seine and Oise), France which was read before the Institute of Mechanical Engineers and published in Scientific American Supplement No. 446 (July 1884). It offers a fascinating insight from one of the pioneers of minimum gauge railways.
Narrow gauge railways have been known for a […]

As requested, a quick how to on my methods for using balsawood for fencing. I’m not going to get into the debate over whether balsa or bass wood is better, simply to say that I prefer balsa, as it is quick to work, economical and extremely versatile, others will have their own preferences. I work almost always with sheets of balsa, which come in 10cm by 100cm sheets here in the UK, it may vary elsewhere. I have tried to photograph each step of the process, so those on slow connections, my apologies, this may take a while to load. OK, here we go.

Ever need a filler to quickly fill a hole or gap, here is a real quick one. Very simple, just a mixture of superglue/ACC/CA and either talc or a powdered plaster filler.

I find the gel type of superglue is easier to use and gives a little more time to work with. Just mix the […]

Time for something a bit different but continuing the experiments with the textured paint. As I made up a batch, I had better use it up :-). Don’t get too excited, this was just a little play to see what could be done. What I needed was a finished item which could be used on many layouts … how about a tree stump?

I find that a Hypodermic Syringe is very useful for placing fluids accurately when PVA is needed in small areas. Only use diluted PVA in the Hypo.
Now before I get comments the one I use you would never want to stick into yourself. It has a blunt end and half the tube is […]

Here’s a little project to keep things ticking over - it’s only a pile of firewood but a nice, attractive little feature that could find a home on many layouts. The best part is that it’s free and very simple to make.

Marc Witten has been in touch to offer Gn15 modellers his services of small turnout construction. You may already have seen his work, either in flesh at MOMING 07 or on one the Yahoo! groups.