N Gauge

Usually a good idea. Some N items have very thick paint on them, so removing the old does help (the paint can be very thick on some of the UK produced Farish small locos, such as the 08).

Yes, though I think most people use enamels (aka Humbrol). You may need the correct primer on the surface first.

Paint - (a) a good model shop, doesn't need to be a train specialist. Such a place will have a vast range of colours, and some primers for different materials (plastic, metal, etc). Will also be able to sell you thinners (to clean up brushes). No need to be spot-on on colours, having slightly muted tones often helps make things look more realistic on smaller models. (b) mail order. Precision Paints are very good, though a bit expensive. Precision do a paint stripper which works well.

For thinners, you may find it cheaper to get them from a DIY shop or a car body repair specialist (usually located on an "out of town industrial unit"). Make sure you're getting the right stuff for the paint in question (usually its a choice between "white spirit" and "cellulose thinners"). Acrylics have the advantage of thinning/cleaning up with water.

Decals - Fox Transfers

Custom Transfers Between them they should do most of what you require.

Something that has proved very useful in the past for removing the ink-based paints from Graham Farish coaches are "Quickies" nail-varnish removal pads.

They do a grand job on most Farish stock, but do test first, as they can reduce a Lima or Minitrix bodyshell to a little puddle of goo.

I'd certainly recommend joining the N Gauge society

and also subscribing to the UK N Gauge Yahoo Groups.

Modelmaster 2mm transfers are available through the N Gauge Society.

Modelmaster also makes a wide range of 4mm train and bus decals:

- has tips on removing old transfers.

what paint stripper would you recommend?

replying to NC , John Isherwood wrote: Unfortunately, I have been forced to abandon my Freeserve website due to problems relating to updating access.

With immediate effect, the Cambridge Custom Transfers website has relocated to

. Please update any web-site link to my site, plus any records you may hold, and delete all reference to the former Freeserve address. I am sorry for any inconvenience. Regards, John Isherwood, Cambridge Custom Transfers.