 Joined: 22/07/2022(UTC) Posts: 62 Location: New South Wales, Sydney
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Would anyone be able to recommend some model train books for an amateur to mid-level modeller ? You read that right, books. Yes, I know the Internet is flooded with info, but I'd prefer an old school book and don't mind buying something 2nd-hand from the 70's etc... My day job is behind a computer and I'd rather flip through physical pages than stare at a screen even more  (rubbing my eyes). I'm planning my first layout and want to get some more ideas before I commit. Topics in particular that I am interested in are: Benchwork (especially open grid/frame) Blocks and signalling Scratch building/Kit-bashing Yards and switching A book/books preferably in N-scale as I model in Z-scale (I could easily translate N into Z scale). As a bonus, any Z-scale modelling books out there ?  Preferably with ISBN 
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 Joined: 15/09/2014(UTC) Posts: 682 Location: London
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Asuming you just want stuff in English, you can try:
"The Professional Approach to Model Railways" - John Wylie published by PSL -it's from the 1980.s ISBN 0-85059-833-8
Kalmbach Books publish lots of books on your subjects - from a US perspective.
For scratchbuilding/modifying search for "George Dent" on Amazon.
Carim
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 1 user liked this useful post by Carim
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 Joined: 17/09/2006(UTC) Posts: 18,770 Location: New Zealand
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Originally Posted by: Carim  "The Professional Approach to Model Railways" - John Wylie published by PSL -it's from the 1980.s ISBN 0-85059-833-8 I have this book in pdf format but at 135mb its a bit big to put on the forum. Maybe you have a Google Drive where I could put it. I have some of the Kalmbach books as well. You could start off with this one from Model Railroader - there's some N Gauge layouts featured and there's even a Marklin H0 one.  How to Build a Model Railroad.pdf (11,890kb) downloaded 65 time(s).
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2 users liked this useful post by Bigdaddynz
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Joined: 23/07/2014(UTC) Posts: 8,464 Location: ENGLAND, Didcot
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Originally Posted by: Carim
Kalmbach Books publish lots of books on your subjects - from a US perspective.
One of their catalogue that I often see highly recommended is "Track Planning for Realistic Operation" by John Armstrong. Again it is from a US perspective, but should give some ideas.
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2 users liked this useful post by kiwiAlan
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Joined: 26/07/2021(UTC) Posts: 635 Location: Sydney
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A few links to threads I have posted information which may help with model making: https://www.marklin-user...er-kit-building-serviceshttps://www.marklin-user...yout-model-base-RL-ideas(See far end of thread) https://www.marklin-user...sts/t27449-Glue-questionhttps://www.marklin-user...81-Scalpel-blade-quality(Basically the same applies whether a vehicle or buildings) https://www.marklin-user...sts/t47774-Z-gauge-buseshttps://www.marklin-user.../posts/t47945-Glass-lifthttps://www.marklin-user...um/posts/t47927-Snow-gunhttps://www.marklin-user...um/posts/t47910-Ski-lifthttps://www.marklin-user...rack-folded-dogbone-loop Basically if you approach the job as a building developer, architect, engineer & electrician with plans you will be pretty right. The key thing I would do is a plan of the entire layout to say 1:10 or better stil 1:5 scale for Z gauge. Then draw the plan on tracing paper to actual Z gauge with all your RLs. Every minute developing plans saves 10 minutes avoiding F-Ups & rebuilding. 1:500 model.  If you are in Canberra at Lake Berley Griffin Exhibition Centre, next to the lake. The round model in the centre of the exhibition space I built about a third of that architectural model, 1:4000 scale. 1:200 model.  1:200 model.  I always used touch up 150g spray cans, you can buy a mixed dozen or 3, about $5 a can.  Car colours are handy or some colours from Eckersley's Art & Craft, all more expensive, but more convenient than mixing paint which I have done.  (Some colours are for my Unimogs, still to be completed, even the procrastination now is getting embarrassing!)
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2 users liked this useful post by Toosmall
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 Joined: 27/06/2012(UTC) Posts: 3,477 Location: Holland
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Hello Manga, You might also like Faller "Modellbau leicht gemacht" and "Geländebau leicht gemacht". These were issued in the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s ... I only have them in German language, but I'm sure others can help you with the English version. See pictures. Marco      |
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4 users liked this useful post by kweekalot
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Joined: 26/07/2021(UTC) Posts: 635 Location: Sydney
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Back in the 1970s I had to do work experience during high school. I got a "job" at the Department of Public Works near Circular Quay, Sydney. I was so bored to tears over the 2 weeks that I thought why are we being "educated" for a future life. The pubic servants never clicked off during their numerous breaks. Friday afternoon was spent down almost across the road at the pub, still clocked on. An eye opener of what to expect when I leave school. Anyway, being the Public Works, they didn't know what to do with me, so said I could finish off building a model of a jail. Materials back then we're mostly Balsa wood, so if I needed anything I could buy as needed. I thought at the time what a dead end brain numbing employment area. A few decades on by complete accident started architectural model making. It was the opposite of the Public Works where you had to think, work around the clock. No drunken Fridays. I nevertheless enjoyed the many challenges. When I started working for myself, setup from home, building models & had half a dozen dual xeon computers for a render farm. Back in 2009 the longest render was 3 weeks 24 hours a day, 2.4kW every hour via my 3.6kW UPS with back up additional batteries as we had regular 1 to 2 hour blackouts in our suburb. Neighbours used to come to us wondering why we had light. Flythrough_055417.mov (16,896kb) downloaded 48 time(s).(Later I had 2 x 30" + 24" screens)  Temporary set up for the last decade, at least I have some space, just have to pull my finger out to finish the layout. 
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4 users liked this useful post by Toosmall
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Joined: 17/09/2006(UTC) Posts: 18,770 Location: New Zealand
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Originally Posted by: kweekalot I only have them in German language, but I'm sure others can help you with the English version. I have the English version scanned, but again too large a file to put on the forum.
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Joined: 22/07/2022(UTC) Posts: 62 Location: New South Wales, Sydney
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Originally Posted by: kweekalot Hello Manga,
You might also like Faller "Modellbau leicht gemacht" and "Geländebau leicht gemacht".
I only have them in German language, but I'm sure others can help you with the English version.
See pictures.
Marco
Thanks Marco, the sample pages look like a good read. I'm able to read German (albeit at a reduced pace). I'll go hunting for a 2nd hand copy. 
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Joined: 22/07/2022(UTC) Posts: 62 Location: New South Wales, Sydney
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Originally Posted by: Bigdaddynz Originally Posted by: Carim "The Professional Approach to Model Railways" - John Wylie published by PSL -it's from the 1980.s ISBN 0-85059-833-8 I have this book in pdf format but at 135mb its a bit big to put on the forum. Maybe you have a Google Drive where I could put it. How to Build a Model Railroad.pdf (11,890kb) downloaded 65 time(s). I have no cloud services like Google Drive unfortunately. I see this book has good reviews and is more suited to the advanced modeller - not that I am one - but I might consider it. Thanks
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Joined: 27/06/2012(UTC) Posts: 3,477 Location: Holland
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Originally Posted by: Manga Thanks Marco, the sample pages look like a good read. I'm able to read German (albeit at a reduced pace). I'll go hunting for a 2nd hand copy. @Manga, let me know if you want the German PDF's . |
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 Joined: 04/08/2018(UTC) Posts: 1,155
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You might find something relevant from Modelleisenbahner in their series called ModellbahnSchule. (secondhand available on eBay) https://www.vgbahn.shop/...bahner/modellbahnschule/The PDFs are also available elsewhere if you know where to look...... and other magazines also have some special editions eg the Model Railroader
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2 users liked this useful post by bph
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Joined: 26/07/2021(UTC) Posts: 635 Location: Sydney
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Marklin 8904, better colours when I bought a pack. But they are last century's design. New cars as a comparison.  New cars parked & custom vehicles on street.  Two Marklin 8904 cars in this photo. 
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4 users liked this useful post by Toosmall
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Joined: 26/07/2021(UTC) Posts: 635 Location: Sydney
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