Compendium

A place to gather ideas, observations, and lessons from the world of model railways. Part personal reference, part shared resource, this collection is about exploring and enjoying the craft in all its detail.

Research

Standards

Layout Design

  • Layout Design
  • Study Models – massing models, space planning, spacial qualities, maquette models

Electronics

Locomotives

Copper Tungsten –  (80% tungsten 20% copper) is 85% denser (i.e. heavier) than brass and around 35% more than lead. 

Peter Kirmond – I use 6mm and 1mm sheet to produce milled chassis similar to those stocked by shop 3 of the 2mm Assoc. (3-691). This is expensive and MUCH harder than brass or steel so needs a reasonably solid milling machine and good quality carbide tools (high speed steel drills/files/saws etc. will be blunted in seconds) and lots of patience. But the P2, for example, weights over 200gm and used maybe £30 worth of CuW. Hope this helps.

Small Scale Locomotives

2mm Scale Steam Locomotives

  • Universal Joints
  • Wheels
  • Crankpins (Coil some fine copper wire round an appropriate sized drill and cut off slices of the coil for crankpin washers)
  • Coupling Rods (1mm Steel)
  • Frames (33 thou / 0.84mm Brass)
  • Cylinders
  • Crossheads and Connecting Rods
  • Brake Blocks
  • Carrying Wheels
  • Tenders
  • Hand Rails and Lamp Brackets
  • Boilers
  • Tapered Boilers and the Belpaire Firebox
  • Boiler Mountings and Fittings
  • Chimneys, Domes and Safety Valves
  • Cab Interiors

2mm Scale Diesel Locomotives

The Toolbox

Suppliers

Buildings & Structures

Vernacular architecture

  • Brian McCulloch Braeside Models
  • Approach & Planning
    • Foreground, Middle, and Background Buildings
    • Selective Compression and Forced Perspective
    • Choosing and Using Prototypes
    • Fieldwork, Working from Photographs and Historic References
    • CAD and Manual Scale Drawing Techniques
  • Structure & Construction – “International Pasteboard as used by Roye England has long been unobtainable, as has Apsley Pasteboard which was a superb surface. I really struggled to find good quality white card in the right thickness for 4mm scale as the stuff sold in Art shops is generally too thin, too thick (mountboard) or has a shiny hard surface. I finally sourced some beautiful card from one of our school suppliers that has a surface texture similar to watercolour paper which is ideal for architectural work.
  • Try Pisces Art Specialists www.piscesart.co.uk
  • WBA SRA1 for 680 micron (just over 0.6mm)
  • WC1 2S100 for 12 sheet 750 micron thicker stuff which is good for internal bracing and floors
  • They also sell 280 and 380 micron which is good quality thinner card.
  • Pisces will send small samples if you ask for them. You may be able to buy smaller quantities than those listed or perhaps split a pack with chums.
  • Also try
  • Seawhite of Brighton
  • www.seawhite.co.uk
  • Packs of good quality stiff white pulpboard in various thicknesses
  • Pulpboard has a paper skin with a softer core which can be exposed by cutting and peeling the outer surface giving a rough texture ideal for representing old render, or cob (in westcountry buildings)
  • There have been questions raised in the past as to the durability of card as a medium and the relatively thin material (0.5 – 0.75mm) used for external walls. I can only point to the Madder Valley layout whose buildings date to the 1930s, and some of the early Pendon buildings that were constructed in the 1940s and 50s. Provided the card is well braced internally and not subjected to excessive damp it is and ideal medium for modelling.
  • Hope this helps.
  • Steve Howe
  • Further to obtaining decent card, another useful supplier is Specialist Crafts Ltd based in Leicester, but with extensive mail order www.specialistcrafts.co.uk
  • The definition of thickness of card and board can be a bit confusing as different maufacturers use different specifications, either in weight of grams per square metre (gsm); sheets; or microns. A micron is 0.001mm so 500 micron is 0.5mm thickness.
  • 230 micron = 180gsm (approx) = 0.23mm = 3 sheet
  • 380 micron = 290gsm (approx) = 0.38mm = 6 sheet
  • 500 micron = 420gsm (approx) = 0.50mm = 8 sheet
  • 750 micron = 590gsm (appox) = 0.75mm = 12 sheet
  • Generally card over 230 micron is referred to as ‘board’
  • Specialist can supply sizes from A1, A2 to A4
  • Steve
  • Windows and Doors
    • Modelling Windows
    • Scribing Glazing Bars on Acetate
    • Glazed Doors and Sash Window Techniques
    • Using Transparent Plastics for Glazing
    • Cheats for Background Windows
  • Wall Finishes and Materials
    • Brick and Stone Paper Applications
    • Using Printed and Painted Paper Finishes
    • Scratchbuilding with Card and Pen
    • Adding Relief: Sills, Copings, Quoins
  • Roofing Techniques
    • Slate Roofs: Materials and Methods
    • Double Roman and Plain Tile Roofs
    • Flat, Felted, and Leaded Roofs
    • Corrugated Iron and Asbestos Roofs
    • Thatch
  • Details and Fittings
    • Chimneys and Chimney Pots
    • Gutters, Downpipes, and Verge Boards
    • Etched Details: Railings and Balconies
    • Signs, Lamps, and Shopfront Fittings
  • Painting & Weathering
    • Painting Techniques for Small-Scale Buildings
    • Colour Matching and Muted Tones
    • Weathering Walls and Roofs
    • Lichen, Soot, and Rain Streaks
    • Dry-Brushing and Tinting Tips
  • Backscene and Layout Integration
    • Compressing Backscene Buildings
    • Creating Visual Layers on the Layout
    • Obscuring End-On Views and Enhancing Depth
    • Using Cut-outs and Profile Boards
  • Materials and Tools
    • Card, Paper, Plastic and Acetate – What to Use Where
    • Adhesives: What Works and What Doesn’t
    • Tools and Equipment for Small-Scale Buildings
  • Appendix or Reference Section Titles
    • Useful Dimensions: Bricks, Slates, Tiles and Chimneys
    • Scale Conversions and Material Thicknesses
    • Typical Roof Pitches and Finishes
    • Glossary of Materials and Modelling Terms

Gutters & Downpipes in 2mm Scale

Adding gutters and downpipes to 2mm scale buildings can significantly enhance realism, particularly in close-up photography and exhibition settings.

Materials for Downpipes

Several options are commonly used to represent downpipes in 2mm scale:

  • Plastic Rod (Slaters 30 thou, ref 0630): This grey plastic rod is approximately 0.76mm in diameter, representing a scale pipe of around 4½”, suitable for industrial or larger domestic buildings. It’s widely available and easy to cut and glue.
  • Piano Wire (24–20 gauge):
    • 24 gauge (~0.51mm) matches typical household downpipes.
    • 20 gauge (~0.91mm) suits soil pipes or larger industrial types.
      Piano wire is strong and keeps its shape well but is harder to bend or cut.
  • Copper Wire: Readily available and malleable. Jim Watt uses a simple but effective technique to simulate pipe clips or joints by winding fine copper wire around the main pipe, twisting the ends at the back and soldering in place. The pipe is then attached to the building by inserting the ends into No. 80 holes.

Guttering Options

Gutters present more of a challenge due to their shape and fitment. Approaches include:

  • Styrene Strip with a Skrawked Groove:
    Jim Watt recommends making the top of the wall 20 thou short and then adding a styrene strip with a half-round groove cut with a dental burr. The underside of the gutter can also be rounded off for realism. This method is especially useful where you want integral-looking gutters rather than afterthoughts.
  • Brass Half-Round Strip:
    Dave Coward used 1mm wide by 0.5mm high brass half-round strip, which can be cut to length and soldered at angles around corners. Available from suppliers like Cambrian Models, this produces robust gutters with a neat profile.
  • Commercial Components:
    Several modellers praised ModelU’s 3D-printed guttering parts, including brackets, hoppers, and shoes. Although ModelU don’t yet make gutters in 2mm scale, they have produced scaled-down versions of some fittings by request. These components offer crisp detail for close viewing.
  • Ratio and Evergreen Products:
    • Ratio plastic gutters work well for traditional brick buildings, though some users noted challenges matching them neatly to downpipes.
    • Evergreen U-channel is a good alternative, particularly for buildings with asbestos cladding or roofs.

Final Thoughts

While gutters and downpipes might seem like minor details, well-modelled rainwater goods can elevate the realism of 2mm scale structures. The combination of accurate proportions, suitable materials, and careful painting makes all the difference. Whether using plastic rod, brass strip, 3D-printed parts, or hand-shaped styrene, the key is to match the technique to your building style and desired level of detail.