The Right Toolkit for The Job

When I started this exciting part of the hobby, I searched on the internet and especially on YouTube for equipment and paints, washes. pigments, etc. and accessories what beginner modellers would need.

Keeping Everything Neat and Tidy

Already ready to go – all my toolkits

When you do not have the luxury of space and a permanent workspace (mine is my dining table in our living room), then you start organising your tools for quick access and stoweaway. I found nice toolboxes from local Euro-shops and organised my tools and materials according to the work that I do.

  • painting box for all acylic paints including thinners, primers and cotton swabs;
  • weathering box for all washes and pigments including cotton swabs;
  • modelling kit box for sprue cutters, blades, filers, contact glues, etc.
  • small modelling box for other smaller, useful tools eg. tweezers, modelling knife, etc.
  • “on the go” repair box for any repair tools that I bring to our MIST-61 operating sessions which includes spare couplers, glues, fine tools kit, plyers, cables etc.
  • airbrush box for my 2 airbrushes and portable spray booth

After all, it is not like that you will multi-task. So by organising my work according to boxes, I will know that I complete one task for e.g. painting the models, then only I move on to weathering. So stowaway the painting box and take out the weathering box. Below is my list of paints, washes etc. that I use for my modelling. The choice of colors and manufacturers are my own as well as recommendations from YouTubers. You are free to download them for your own use and adapt accordingly.

** NEW ** List of paints, washes, pigments and accessories (PDF as at 22.10.2023)

Great Materials from Major Model Paint Manufacturers

You can download latest catalogs, step by step tutorials etc. from these manufacturers. There are many more model paint manufacturers such as Tamiya, etc. but these are less common for model railroad modellers (in my opinion).

Recommended YouTube Channels

YouTube has been a great source of information on modelling and weathering. I follow these YouTubers based on their specialisation and unique tutorials

  • @JonBius: Jon makes excellent tutorials on airbrushing, painting and weathering techniques. He explains the philosophy and reasons as well as when and how to use your brushes/air brushes, paints, washes etc. I like his tutorials as both of us think a lot about our modelling and weathering work before we do it.
  • @VinceVenturella: I learned a lot from Vince on how to use and clean airbrush properly as well as the painting techniques. Vince is more into wargames figures and dioramas but we can always learn from him and other Wargamers.
  • @JCsRiptrack: JC does great tutorials and product reviews on painting and weathering North American rolling stocks. Same techniques can be adapted to any railroads and eras.
  • @MarklinofSweden: For Märklin and railroad modellers, Martin Tarmrot makes excellent tutrials on creating beautiful layout as well as painting/weathering techniques.
  • @Sebbs1zu87: Sebb (or Sebastian) is a German H0-scale railroad modeller. His tutorials on weatheing German locos and rolling stocks are worth watching and copying.

My Preferred Online-Shops

Other than occassional Amazon purchases, I buy regularly from these online shops due to the reasonable prices, great customer service and fast delivery. Some ship internationally but I suggest you establish your own list of preferred shops and relationship with them:

  • Fantasywelt.de (DE/EN): good range of products such as from AK Interactive and Vallejo. They do not carry any Ammo by Mig.
  • Berliner Zinnfiguren (DE/EN/FR): also a good range of products such as from AK Interactive and Vallejo. They carry Ammo by Mig.
  • Super-Hobby.de (multi languages): excellent range of products from all major model paint suppliers as well as model kits. They are based in Poland so take the international shipping into account. They have shipping cost calculator too.