Community Forum

Do trains come into your house and never leave? As your interests change or skills improve, there is nothing wrong with financing part or all of your next purchase by selling off some of the old.

Be aware, though, that model trains are a poor investment if you're looking to make money. Don't expect to get back what you paid for a model—even if it has been lightly used or is still almost "new in the box." In most cases, though, the monetary depreciation should be more than offset by the enjoyment you've had. And the money you make can be put toward new pieces that reflect your current interests.

If you have ever wondered what to do with those colourful paper tissues lying in packages for months in your cupboard, the decoupage technique could answer your question. You can cut out parts of those tissues and cover jewellery or trinket boxes, creating unique compositions.

All you need, besides the tissues or paper cut out from magazines, is a frame or a box to cover, some appropriate glue, and some varnish or other sealant. You may also apply paint on top if you feel it would add to the overall appearance.

I recently had the opportunity to examine a number of resin cast kits and aftermarket parts from several suppliers. I am truly amazed at how far the aftermarket has come in terms of product selection and quality. At the same time, I am amazed at how far it has to go.

The quality of today's resin products is all over the board. Certainly, there are some casters whose quality is always top-notch, yet others vary. In speaking to modellers and through my experience, I know that some cottage casters have ready excuses for poor craftsmanship. Commonly heard rebuttals to customer complaints include, “That's not so bad, any modeller can fix it,” and “It's better than no model at all.” Of these people, I ask, “If any modeller can fix it, why didn't the modeller who prepared the master do it right in the first place?”

Casting techniques have advanced to the point at which they are no longer the problem. The issues of most resin casters seem to exist in the preparation of their master models. Some aftermarket business owners appear to be happy with masters that look like the car they are patterned after, yet have visible flaws such as unfinished putty work, jagged or incomplete panel lines, crooked emblems or thick pillars. Such sloppy work should not be good enough for any resin caster.

Every resin master itself should be prepared as though it was destined to be a contest model. All surfaces should be smooth and blemish free, bodies should be 100% symmetrical, panel and door lines should be crisp and straight, and any add-on parts should be test fitted before casting. In other words, a master body should need only a paint job to prepare it for entry in a contest.

As you begin any modelling project, spend some time doing research on the project.  Then let your imagination take over to expand the potential of your creation. To make an accurate representation of your subject, you must understand the prototype. This should not prevent any chance for you to express your creativity. A careful check of your spares supply can often let you produce a unique custom model. Either way, you will not reduce the anticipation of seeing your finished model. In the end, that is your great reward.

Choose your project's kit based on your current skills. You can decide just how detailed you wish to make the finished piece. This will give you a more enjoyable and satisfying result. The level of commitment will decide if you have a successful outcome.

Most modellers are in the hobby for their satisfaction. They are not pressured to meet deadlines, or meet other people's expectations. They work on each project at a pace which they determine. Not only that, but they build to a level of detail and finish that meets their personal standards.

Interests and skill levels for each modeller are unique. Regardless, every modeller has a talent for some aspect of modelling. Even if their skill in certain areas may be basic, they can learn from others who have skills which they do not. A great way to learn a new skill is to have someone who is already an expert show you. The vast majority of modellers are always more than willing to share their skills.

Personally, I enjoy researching a new project almost as much as building it. Not only do I get information about the real thing which directs the building process, but it's interesting to learn about the technical or historical aspects. I also enjoy swapping parts from one kit to another, holding up bits of one kit against another model to see what's possible and trying to envisage whether the wheels from one kit will fit the tires from another, or whatever. And I still get a buzz from lifting the lid off a brand-new kit for the first time, looking at the sprues and trying to imagine what the finished model will look like.

Each one of us modellers has a talent for some aspect of modelling, even if we aren't all completely comfortable with every element. But we can all learn from those who have skills which we don't possess. The best way to learn is to watch someone who is an expert. We can't all do that, but it is possible to follow the expertise of skilled modellers through the pages of the numerous modelling magazines currently available. Back issues can often be found at your local library.

You might build for your personal satisfaction. In this case, you can build models of subjects that appeal to you. You can use techniques that you are most familiar with and build to a level of detail and quality that satisfies you.

Then again, if you build to display your work, whether for family, friends or other club members, you are going to work to a different set of standards. While your family might share your interests and be pleased with similar subjects, your friends might have a better appreciation of models of topics with which they are more familiar. Club members might be more interested in seeing a model which displays a novel modelling technique or a variation on one of their subjects.

If entering competitions is the reason you build, you will probably be working with yet another range of subjects and looking to utilize aftermarket parts and additional specialized techniques to make a unique and prize-winning model.

Understanding the audience for which you build will allow you to plan the way you will select a subject and apply the appropriate techniques. This will add to the pleasure you will get from working on the project and result in a more apt model for your audience to view.