The shelf

Starter kit and tools

The kinds of things HO modellers commonly need, and everything our guides call for. The links search Amazon.co.uk so you can compare what’s available — we don’t recommend particular products, and we haven’t tested them. Check that anything you buy suits your system (for example 2-rail DC or 3-rail AC) and scale.

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. More about affiliate links.

Starter kit

HO train set

Check whether a set is 2-rail DC or 3-rail AC before you buy.
Search Amazon for HO scale train set
Extra HO track

Stick to one track system so the pieces fit together.
Search Amazon for HO scale model railway track
HO wagons and coaches
Search Amazon for HO scale wagons
HO figures
Search Amazon for HO scale figures 1:87

Tools

Track cleaning rubber
Search Amazon for model railway track cleaning rubber
Precision screwdriver set
Search Amazon for precision screwdriver set
Needle files
Search Amazon for needle file set
Craft knife and cutting mat
Search Amazon for craft knife cutting mat
Rail cutters
Search Amazon for model railway rail cutter
Fine tweezers
Search Amazon for fine tip tweezers
Digital calipers

Handy with the scale calculator for measuring models.
Search Amazon for digital calipers

Track & layout

Track pins
Search Amazon for model railway track pins

Scenery

Static grass
Search Amazon for static grass model scenery
Model trees
Search Amazon for HO scale model trees
Scenic scatter
Search Amazon for model railway scenic scatter
PVA glue
Search Amazon for PVA glue

What our guides call for

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Starter kit

HO train set

Extra HO track

HO wagons and coaches

HO figures

Tools

Track cleaning rubber

Precision screwdriver set

Needle files

Craft knife and cutting mat

Rail cutters

Fine tweezers

Digital calipers

Track & layout

Track pins

Scenery

Static grass

Model trees

Scenic scatter

PVA glue

What our guides call for

Track & layouts

Fine file

Flexible track (e.g. Peco Streamline OO/HO)

Foam glue and foam nails (for foam systems)

Foam incline set or plywood with risers

Insulated rail joiners

Model railway controller with its mains power supply

Multi-strand wire in two colours

Multimeter (optional)

Rail joiners, metal and insulated

Roll of lining paper for a full-size template

Spirit level

Tape measure

Track feed clips or soldering iron and solder

Track gauge or roller gauge

Track pins

Wire strippers

Xuron-type track cutter or razor saw

Locos & rolling stock

Cotton buds

Kadee #205 or #206 coupler height gauge

Kadee NEM-362 couplers (#17, #18, #19 or #20)

Replacement coupler heads to suit the pocket

Track cleaning rubber (non-abrasive type preferred)

DCC & digital

DCC command station/controller with power supply

DCC decoders for each loco

Decoder with the correct plug (e.g. 8-pin, 21MTC, PluX)

Double-sided tape or Kapton tape

Multimeter (optional)

Small screwdrivers

Wire and feed clips or soldering kit

Scenery & buildings

Acrylic paints in rust, grime and dust colours

Earth-coloured paint

Extruded polystyrene foam board or a foam layout system

Ground cover, scatter and grass fibres

Low-temperature foam glue gun or foam-safe glue

Matt varnish (optional)

Plaster cloth or lightweight filler

Serrated knife or foam cutter

Soft flat brushes and an old stiff brush

Weathering powders or pigments