Modellings tips and answers - Adding lights to a layout

This week in history

On April the 29th 1942, LNER A4 'Sir Ralph Wedgwood' was destroyed whilst at York engine sheds during a bombing raid over the city.

You'll find the Hattons Originals Class 66 in Colas Rail Freight livery is in excellent condition and comes DCC fitted. This workhorse of the modern railway has been fully tested and runs smoothly in both directions, with working directional lights that you can customise through separate functions. If diesels are more your cup of tea but you fancy something from an earlier period, the Hornby Class 37 in Railfreight Grey comes with three Shellstar bogie rail vans, giving you a ready-made freight consist. For those of you who prefer multiple units, the Bachmann Class 105 2-car Cravens DMU in BR green with speed whiskers is in "as new" condition and features cab lighting, directional lights, illuminated headcodes and interior lighting.

Now, if steam is what sets your heart racing, you're in for a treat. The Hornby Patriot in LMS Maroon is in excellent condition with no marks or blemishes. Moving into the BR era, the Bachmann Class A1 in BR lined green with early emblem is absolutely immaculate with no marks whatsoever and is an excellent runner. For something a bit more modest but equally charming, the Hornby Class 4P in BR black with late crest comes factory weathered to a great finish and has had a light service.

 

For the seasoned traditional modeller, the world of Gunpla (a portmanteau of "Gundam" and "plastic model") offers a refreshing yet familiar technical challenge. While your workbench may usually be occupied by OO gauge locomotives or intricate scenic foliage, these Japanese kits focus on articulated, high-detail humanoid mecha from the Mobile Suit Gundam franchise. Much like the transition from ready-to-run stock to fine-scale kit building, Gunpla rewards precision and patience. The modern kits are engineered with such sophistication that they require no glue, using snap-fit technology and multi-coloured moulding that puts traditional injection-moulded kits to shame.

Why you may want to consider them for your next project:

Engineering Marvels: The internal "Advanced MS Joint" frameworks mimic realistic mechanical skeletons, providing a masterclass in scale articulation.

Weathering Potential: Just as you’d apply soot and grime to a steam engine, Gunpla enthusiasts use pin washes, dry-brushing, and chipping to transform "clean" plastic into battle-worn industrial giants.

Scale Consistency: Kits typically come in standardised scales such as 1:144 and 1:100, making them fascinating studies in architectural geometry.

Customisation: Don’t be fooled by the lack of adhesive; the real joy for a scratch-builder lies in "kit-bashing" and airbrushing, where you can apply the same master-modeller techniques used on a Spitfire or wagon kit loco to a towering robotic warrior.

You can see the full range by clicking here however, for those just starting out, the Entry Grade 1/144 Gundam offers an ideal introduction to the hobby. This kit features snap-assembly with pre-coloured sprues, meaning you can achieve a satisfying result straight from the box without needing paint or glue. If you fancy something a bit more characterful, the SD Gundam Ex-Standard 00 Gundam in 1:144 scale brings that distinctive Super Deformed charm with limited articulation perfect for display, plus the clever ability to share parts with other 1/144 scale HG kits. Meanwhile, the HG 1/144 Gundam Lfrith from "Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch of Mercury" represents the latest generation of High Grade engineering, launched ahead of the newest Gundam series and offering excellent detail for its scale.

The High Grade line continues to impress with some truly spectacular releases. The HG 1/144 Gundam Aerial from "The Witch of Mercury" features an innovative shield that separates into 11 parts, which can be connected to various points on the Gundam, whilst the shell unit combines moulded parts with double-sided seals and clear parts for both light-emitting and non-light-emitting configurations. From the same series, the HG 1/144 Red Gundam from "Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX" showcases distinctive colouring and comes with a variety of weapons, plus two bits that attach via joint parts for plenty of display options. If you're after something from the latest film, the HG 1/144 Rising Freedom Gundam from "Mobile Suit Gundam Seed Freedom" is an absolute cracker, featuring the "Seed Action System" internal structure, transformation capability into MA form, and a shield with polarized moulding that changes colour depending on your viewing angle.

For those seeking the ultimate in 1:144 scale engineering, the Real Grade series represents Bandai's most ambitious compact kits. The RG 1/144 Z Gundam marks the 10th release in this prestigious line and answers the question everyone was asking – yes, it transforms into Wave Rider mode! The engineering required to achieve this in such a small scale is genuinely remarkable. If you prefer the original, the RG 1/144 RX-78-2 Gundam Version 2.0 features a completely redesigned internal frame inspired by semi-monocoque structure, with a joint system that reinterprets the movable axis so parts that look like joints actually bend properly. There's also the MGSD Freedom Gundam in 1:144 scale, which brilliantly combines Master Grade technology with SD proportions, standing approximately 115mm tall and packed with more mobility, gimmicks and details than any previous SD kit, including Bandai's new "Real Metallic Gloss Injection" technology.

If you're ready to step up to 1:100 scale, the Master Grade line offers larger, more detailed builds with impressive internal frames. The MG 1/100 Gundam Deathscythe EW Version follows on from the Wing Gundam and features enhancements to certain joints, particularly the wrists, allowing the Deathscythe to wield his scythe in a variety of dramatic poses, complete with green effect parts. Speaking of which, the MG 1/100 XXXG-01W Wing Gundam EW Version is essentially the same as the previously released Version Ka kit but with slightly different colour shades and the welcome addition of action base attachment points. For something from a different series entirely, the MG 1/100 Gundam Barbatos Lupus brings the brutal, close-combat aesthetic of "Iron-Blooded Orphans" to life in glorious 1:100 scale detail.

Modelling tips

We keep on adding modelling tips to our website. Here are a few: 

You can read all the articles sorted by categories or from the most recent published one on our website.

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Find all the latest events and exhibitions for the model railway world, on the UK Model Shop Events directory. Hopefully, 2026 will give us plenty of opportunities to attend events all over the country.

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