Build a Model Railway
Pt1: From Start to Finish
★★★★★ "Build a Model Railway is exactly what anyone starting out needs! It is a really comprehensive guide for the budding model railway hobbyist." Metcalfe Models
The first of three professionally filmed programmes, this 60-minute production, jam packed with graphics, illustrations, hints and tips for both the model train set newcomer and model railway hobbyist. Filmed over 12 months, it takes the viewer through a step-by-step process of locomotive selection and planning your layout through to completed construction including viaduct, scenery & backdrop and water feature.
With many of the big brand names used in the construction process such as Bachmann Europe, Hornby, Gaugemaster, PECO, Metcalfe Models, Javis, Woodland Scenic and Oxford Rail to name but a few, the production is both educational and entertaining.
Director of photography Stewart Menelaws gets to relive a boyhood hobby when the production studio turns one of its offices into the railway hobbycraft project room. Originally planned for television, the production changed direction as Stewart saw the need for a concise product that would help both newcomer and enthusiast alike.
Available in both DVD and High Definition Video-on-Demand.
Build a Model Railway
Pt2: Detail & Technology
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Part 2 Trailer (2 mins)
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PAL format only
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Also available as Video-On-Demand (High Def)
★★★★★ "Building a Model Railway No 2 is a superb video, with a wealth of information and ideas. Congratulations on a great production!" DCC Concepts
In Part 2 of the series, we take the railway hobbyist to a new level – delving into greater detailing and engineering, filming around the country with interviews from leading manufacturers and dealers such as Bachmann, PECO, Metcalfe, DCC Concepts, TMC and more. You will be getting to grips with ballasting, static grass, Digital Command Control technologies, scenery, locomotive, rolling stock weathering and building effects such as setting your warehouse on fire.
This highly informative and engaging 70-min production makes it an ideal gift as well as an excellent resource to have at hand.
This 70-minute film is available in DVD & High Definition Video-on-Demand.
Build a Model Railway
Pt3: The World of Modelling
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Part 3 Trailer (1 min 26 sec)
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PAL format only
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Also available as Video-On-Demand (High Def)
★★★★★ “Very enjoyable, informative and helpful. Builds on the topics shown in the previous videos. It was fascinating to see what can be achieved both indoors and in a garden. The experience of learning from other modellers in a club environment, whatever the scale, was clearly demonstrated”. Thistle Modelmakers Society
Another professionally filmed 60-minute production, jam-packed with film, interviews, hints and tips for both the model railway newcomer and keen hobbyist. Part 3 takes the viewer into the world of railway modelling, filming around the country with interviews from leading manufacturers and dealers such as Bachmann, PECO, Hornby, DCC Concepts and many more.
From the garden shed to the garden itself – featuring both modeller and model railway clubs. Visit model railways that tell a story and discover the marvels of 71/4 scale engineering that will take you on a journey through forest and hillside. This highly informative and engaging presentation makes it an ideal gift as well as an excellent resource to have to hand – the perfect complement to DVD 1 & 2.
This 60 minute film is available in DVD & High Definition Video-on-Demand.
Model Railways Documentary
A Comprehensive Look
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Documentary Trailer (1 min 14 sec)
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Available as Video-On-Demand (High Def)
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Currently available on Amazon Prime TV
A highly informative and entertaining 60 minute documentary that is jam packed with so much to see and experience, a visual treat for both model rail enthusiasts and just about anyone who loves to watch programmes of interest.
This documentary has been carefully produced by taking many elements from the Build a Model Railway DVD series and includes additional interviews and footage.
This 60 minute film is available in High Definition Video-on-Demand.
Trailer Transcript for Pt1:
The world of model railway construction is presented is this 60-minute program packed with film, graphics, illustrations and detailed photography. This concise, how-to build a model railway layout, filmed over nine months, takes the viewer on a journey through site preparation and on to layout completion. With such a vast range of products available, we take a look at track, trains and rolling stock that will help to make informed choices that will start the planning process. We look at choosing the correct timber materials and construction methods for your baseboards that will even include a styled finish to match the room.
Electrical wiring is covered with practical hints and tips for the newcomer with further help on our dedicated website www.buildamodelrailway.com (see support page links).
Choosing buildings and accessories and the use of scenic materials to blend platforms and structures to the baseboard. Learn how to build a Viaduct drop section complete with water effects, trees and shrubs. Every railway needs a tunnel and we show, step-by-step, how to create one utilizing various scenery products that will bring the layout to life. Taking a sheet of hardboard cut into strips and see how to create a simple backdrop for the layout. Join us as we construct a model railway from start to finish.
Trailer Transcript for Pt2:
Welcome to build a model railway. In Part 2, we look into Detail & Technology. Join us as we develop our layout with the help of leading manufacturers. We take our card building kits to another level and visit the Metcalfe family business.
We're a family business. We are passionate about models and passionate about this hobby. We absolutely love what we do. We are really thrilled when we see people making beautiful models out of our kits. (Nick Metcalfe)
Watch as we weather, electrify and create special effects. We visit the home of PECO, synonymous for its rail track, as we go deeper into track ballasting and static grass application.
PECO is a very well-known brand in the world of model railways. People see us as a traditional business in some sense, a traditional family business and that's nice because we are. We're very proud of the fact that we manufacture everything here on the site. The hobby is actually very strong, very much alive and certainly it's becoming more visible in the public eye. (Steve Haynes)
We look at a range of exciting rolling stock, some from Oxford Rail, and go behind the scenes of Bachmann Europe.
Bachmann Europe started in 1989. So, as well as locomotives that might be produced exclusively for a certain retailer or group, we do the same with our Collectors Club. We do a range of limited edition models. Model railways really are encompassing for all. You can be part of the modelling club or you can be modelling on your own. (Richard Proudman)
Join us in the Yorkshire Dales as we watch how the professionals weather our F3 (locomotive) with Deeley Tender.
I'm Alex Yates and I run TMC The Model Center, here at Beck Hole. Out of demand we set up a small weathering service and now we offer various services if you're wanting something really bespoke. You want rust in certain places, limescale, all that kind of thing, then you move on to our deluxe weathering service.
Technology specialists DCC Concepts come to the studio to bring our layout to life with lights, smoke and sound.
I'm Richard Johnson, manager and founder of DCC concepts. We're a company that works in the Model Railway area trying to make technology usable for the average railway modeller.
Often people see DCC as a black art or something mystical or something complicated. It's very straightforward; it's just two wires delivering command to locomotives; that's it. But what it does is, it allows you to drive the train not the track. (Richard Brighton)
Following on from Build a Model Railway - from Start to Finish, Part 2 is another jam-packed production taking the hobbyist to the next level.
Trailer Transcript for Pt3:
Building a Model Railway DVD 3 continues our series in the world of model railways. A 60-minute documentary taking the viewer on a journey to discover this wonderful hobby which has given such pleasure to both young and old for over a century. Join us as we travel to film models that will fit in the palm of your hand and others that will take you, family and friends on a journey through woodlands and forests.
Meet the modellers who patiently create model railways that tell a story and those that bring another dimension to the garden. We visit a leading exhibition centre, go behind the scenes of some of the most respected names in model manufacturing and take a glimpse into the world of club exhibition layouts. Jammed-packed with a feast of goodies for all involved in the hobby.
Building a Model Railway Part 3 is the perfect complement to DVD 1 & 2.