Reference Books

[lionwing]

I'm looking for some basic reference books on railway modelling to add to my bookshelf.

A few plan/layout books would be good along with some on the topic of scenery, wiring etc...

I came across these on eBay..while the are more pamphlet than book might have some useful information;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Peco-SYH-4-The-Railway-Modeller-Book-Wiring-The-Layout-Part-1-New-16-pge-Book-/171325239308?pt=UK_Trains_Railway_Models&hash=item27e3c7b00c

I understand there are more in the series...but perhaps there is something a bit more book like available I am missing?

[Michael Shillabeer]

Hello

Richard Bardsley (former N Gauge Journal editor) has written the following:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Making-Start-Gauge-Railway-Modelling/dp/1847975569/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1404138427&sr=8-1&keywords=richard+bardsley

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Planning-Designing-Making-Railway-Layouts/dp/1847974244/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1404138427&sr=8-2&keywords=richard+bardsley

Amazon says he's also a writer of a book of love stories... but the 'blurb' for it doesn't mention trains, so I assume it's another Richard Bardsley!

Best regards
Michael

[Karhedron]

What is essential for your reference library will depend to some extent on your interests. For instance, Tim Shackleton's books on weathering are excellent and regarded by many as a standard reference. However, if you don't plan to weather your own stock (or at least, not yet) you can probably do without it.

I find Iain Rice a very good author. I would recommend "Railway modelling the realistic way", "Mainlines in modest spaces" and "Designs for urban layouts" as 3 books well worth picking up. Whilst not specific to N gauge, there is a lot of useful modelling info in there as well as some great track plans for inspiration.

[Newportnobby]

Probably my most frequently referred to book is the 'PSL Complete Guide to Model Railways' by Michael Andress - published by Guild Publishing.
It contains all things model railway and has track plans for different eras, electrics, much scenery descriptions/photographs etc.
I have specifics for wiring (Cyril Freezer's Complete Guide to wiring, although very much old school DC) and weathering.
Not sure if I'd want to pay £1.98 for Peco's little booklets when you can get so much more 'bang for your buck'

[lionwing]

Thanks everyone!

Plenty to browse through there!

The Peco books do seem a little lacking in content for the price - although Hattons are much less expensive than ebay!