Assembling a model train set for the first time can be intimidating, but anybody can do it. Whether you're just building a display for the holidays or starting out on a life-long hobby, every layout starts with simple basics. Model railroading is a great family activity, and with a little adult help the kids can do this too.

This "quick and dirty" approach to getting started should have you running trains within the hour. Everything you do will be reversible so you can make changes and impro...

Final preparations are under way for Expo-NG next weekend, with some small jobs being done. One was loads for wagons, as with my 014 stock it struck me that shunting empty open wagons around is both dull and generally unrealistic. I realize so is shunting loads into then out of the same station, but at least the trains look more interesting!

These loads are all quite easy. Coal is a piece of black plasticard to fit in the wagon, with an off-cut of plastic in the middle to space it up close to ...