Model Rail
Volume 4

Nigel Harris introduces this programme from Pendon Museum in Oxfordshire where more than 50 years' work has gone into recreating rural Berkshire as it was around 1930 in 4mm:1ft scale in stunning detail. We take a close look at the museum's superb layouts, trains and cottages and see progress on the celebrated Vale Scene.

Making tracks!
Continuing construction of our 'Total Test Facility' office layout, Chris Leigh shows how to lay flexible track which looks good and enables your trains to run well. Following up our survey of track ballast products in Model Rail July 2000, we show how to add loose ballast for realistic appearance.

Llandudno Junction in 1961
This layout was first featured in Model Rail September 1999 and we're delighted to return to see Chris Evans demonstrate his fine 'OO' layout. It includes a complete set of authentic locomotives and trains to enable exact operation for one full day in 1961. Llandudno station, the junction, motive power depot and even the Conway tubular bridge are included in this remarkable 'OO' layout which occupies one room.

Getting heated!
Dave Lowery shows how easy soldering is, once you've learned a few simple techniques and tips. He's building an 'O' gauge Class 66 diesel locomotive and demonstrates techniques for soldering small white metal castings and large pieces of brass.

Pendon Perfection!
We featured some of Pendon Museum's charming models in Model Rail May and June 2000. Now we can take you behind the scenes at this museum of miniature landscape, to see progress on building the Vale Scene's 'EM' gauge railway plus close-ups of detail you'll find both staggering and inspirational. The Dartmoor Scene and Madder Valley are also featured.

Prototype inspirations
Our prototype coverage using archive footage includes cement trains, Stanier '8F' 2-8-0s and Class 26 diesel-electrics.

On the Spot
We pay a brief visit to Isambard Kingdom Brunel's GWR station at Culham to complete our coverage.