During the twenty years in which Britain's nationalized railway operated mainline steam locomotives, a vast array of individual designs complemented the British Railways 'Standard' machines, built up to 1960. Such was the variety of motive power to be seen on the network that this 'early' period of BR's existence has proved to be the most enduring amongst enthusiasts and modellers. The ready-to-run market has reflected this popularity in terms of models and liveries available off-the-shelf. Despite constantly rising levels of detail, finish and performance, r-t-r models can never cater for every variation in components, equipment or livery that invariably arose within large and long-lived fleets. Nor can they offer particular running numbers and names to satisfy every customer, while older products may also require work to bring them up to the standard of contemporary offerings. Therefore, being able to change factory-applied decals, add period or individual locomotive-specific details, modify a livery or create an authentic weathered finish can prove vital to achieving a heightened sense of realism and individuality within our traction fleets. AUTHOR: Having worked with scale models for over twenty years, George Dent is the model-maker in residence at Model Rail magazine, one of the leading hobby titles on the market. He has also worked with national museum and private collections around the UK. SELLING POINTS: Aimed at modellers of all abilities and serious model railway enthusiasts Gives details of a wide range of techniques, materials and tools Lavishly illustrated with 400 colour photographs George Dent has over twenty years' experience in model-making and is the resident model-maker for Model Rail magazine ILLUSTRATIONS 400 colour photographs *

Author Biography

Having worked with scale models for over twenty years, George Dent is the model-maker in residence at Model Rail magazine, one of the leading hobby titles on the market. He has also worked with national museum and private collections around the UK. His previous title for Crowood is the very successful Digital Command Control for Railway Modellers [2008]. Resident Cheshire