What’s on PressReader? Hobby magazines!

Visit PressReaderPressreader is one of our great eLibrary resources that is accessible for free with your library card. It offers unlimited access to thousands of newspapers and magazines from more than 100 countries in over 60 languages. Within this blog series, we will be showcasing some of the titles that are currently available on PressReader. This month, we will focus on hobby magazines!

With the question of new year’s resolutions looming over all of us, why not start off the year with a new hobby? Pick up a new skill, beautify your garden or simply do a crossword; anything can be a hobby. Magazines can be a fantastic place to start when finding a new hobby or expanding your knowledge of your current ones. Below we have put together a collection of magazines to get you inspired.

If you want to read PressReader content and haven’t before, here’s how to get started:

  • Visit PressReader.com, and click the sign in button (top left corner)
  • Select the ‘Library Card’ option and search for ‘Wellington City Libraries’
  • Enter your Library card number, and your ‘PIN’ (the default is the last 4 numbers of your phone number) then click the ‘Sign in’ button – you’re all set!

 

Continue reading “What’s on PressReader? Hobby magazines!”

Build your own model railways

Imagine everything becomes miniature size, and moves fast while you are standing beside as if you were a giant! No, I’m not talking about the book Gulliver’s Travels or the movie Godzilla.  I’m talking about model railways. In this list, you will find resources for building vivid New Zealand sceneries, train tracks, wiring, and much more.

Also you can read the monthly Model Railroader and The Railway Magazine for free with your library card, via our Overdrive eMagazine collection.

Model railway detailing manual : a source book of period photographs from the steam age / Postlethwaite, Alan
“Railway modellers constantly refer to photographs for details of real scenes. Here, a whole library of useful illustrations is brought together to give a single reference source, arranged in over 70 themed mini chapters. The most popular period for modellers are the last days of steam on British Railways, 1958 to 1967, and the 300 previously unpublished photographs were taken during those years.” (Adapted from the Catalogue)

The big book of Lionel : the complete guide to owning and running America’s favorite toy trains / Schleicher, Robert H
“In 1900, Joshua Lionel Cowen invented his first toy electric train, and within a few short years Lionel layouts became a part of American living rooms at Christmastime. In this officially licensed guide, veteran hobby industry writer Robert Schleicher presents an illustrated treasury of practical advice for the Lionel enthusiasts or beginners. Contains comprehensive information for prototype railroads, including track plans, scenery and structures, wiring and track how-to, and maintenance and restoration techniques.” (Adapted from the Catalogue)

The railway magazine.
“The Railway Magazine has been published since 1897 and is now the UK’s best-selling general interest rail title. Every month, The RM provides enthusiasts and professionals with authoritative and informed news coverage of the following: – Network Rail and the train operating companies – Locomotives, multiple units, carriages and wagons – Steam, heritage and the preservation world, inc narrow gauge- Metro and underground systems – In addition, the magazine carries frequent items of overseas interest. ” (Adapted from the Catalogue)

The model railway design manual : how to plan and build a successful layout / Freezer, Cyril John
“Before beginning construction work on a model railway it is essential to have a workable design. The plan needs to take into account the space, time, budget and personal skills available, as well as the type of railway to be modelled. Here, Cyril Freezer draws on more than 50 years experience in designing and building model railways to explain how each stage should be undertaken. Includes 150 specially-drawn track layout diagrams.” (Catalogue)

Hornby magazine yearbook. No. 5
“This is a digest of popular features from the Hornby magazine, plus a whole range of new and informative articles covering topics of interest to the broadest range of model railway enthusiasts.” (Catalogue)

 

 

Gorgeous garden railways / Horovitz, Marc
“This book features large portraits and informative text on garden railroad landscaping, trains, infrastructure, ponds and water features, and other landscape challenges. Marc Horovitz, editor of Garden Railways, and Pat Hayward, horticultural editor of Garden Railways offer details that both model railroaders and garden enthusiasts will appreciate.” (Catalogue)

 

A train is for life / Waterman, Pete
“This is a photographic portrait of Pete Waterman’s fantastic model railway collections, packed with photographs revealing the enormous skill of the model makers.” (Catalogue)

 

Scenery for your model railroad / Danneman, Mike
“Create a more realistic scene around your model railroad and add the finishing touches that give a railroad character! This book shows you how, from creating a backdrop to adding ground cover, trees, water, and more.” (Catalogue)

Flight, model aircraft, drones and more

Flight and our ability to put ourselves up in the atmosphere is both an inspirational topic, but also one that can allow for such a mastery and level of skill that it intrigues expert hobbyists. If you are this hobbyist, the list of books below can help you take your hobbies to a new height, or even turn your abilities to a new challenge.

Whether your passion is constructing model plane kits, crafting your own radio control plane, drone photography or even model rockets — there’s something here for every flight hobbyist. And if you’d like to watch your plane taking off and gliding in the air, compete with  professional RC racers, or just find some like-minded flight enthusiasts, make sure to also visit the website of our local Wellington Model Aeroplane Club.


Model aircraft aerodynamics / Simons, Martin
“Presents standard aerodynamic theory, as applied to model flight, in a concise and practical form. An excellent introduction to aerodynamics not only for model flying enthusiasts but also for those concerned with full-scale light and ultralight aircraft and sailplanes, remotely piloted surveillance and research aircraft, wind surfers and land yachts, and the designers of wind turbines. Revised and updated to reflect significant developments in model aircraft. 4th ed.” (Catalogue)

Modelling scale aircraft / Green, Brett
“Brett Green, one of the hobby’s leading names, provides a comprehensive introduction to all of the basic techniques and materials needed to build scale aircraft, from opening the kit box to displaying the finished model, all in one clear and easy-to-follow expert guide. The many detailed photographs with step-by-step captions and the accessible and informative text cover every aspect of aircraft kit construction, from initial preparation through all stages of assembly to detailed finishing. This is an essential resource for any aviation modeller.” (Catalogue)

Drones : teach an Arduino to fly / McGriffy, David
“Make: Drones will help the widest possible audience understand how drones work by providing several DIY drone projects based on the world’s most popular robot controller-the Arduino. The information imparted in this book will show Makers how to build better drones and be better drone pilots, and incidentally it will have applications in almost any robotics project. Why Arduino? Makers know Arduinos and their accessories, they are widely available and inexpensive, and there is strong community support. Open source flight-control code is available for Arduino, and flying is the hook that makes it exciting, even magical, for so many people. Arduino is not only a powerful board in its own right, but it’s used as the controller of most inexpensive 3d printers, many desktop CNCs, and the majority of open source drone platforms.” (Catalogue)

Modelling the Focke-Wulf Fw 190 A, F and G / Coughlin, Geoff
“The Focke-Wulf Fw 190 is regarded as one of the best fighters of World War II. Designed by Kurt Tank, it first saw combat in the summer of 1941 and went on to be produced in several variants. It remains a hugely popular subject for aviation scale-modellers. This book, the first of two to cover the Fw190, provides a detailed, step-by-step guide to modelling the Fw 190’s A, F and G variants in 1/72, 1/48, and 1/32 scale. Key aspects such as creating mottled camouflage patterns, undercarriage and cockpit detailing, final weathering and finishing, and diorama bases to display your models are covered.” (Catalogue)

Above the world : earth through a drone’s eye.
“Very rarely does a new technology level a playing field in an art form, allowing unknown talents to share headlines with established artists. Drones are one of these great equalizers. With this book, we are shining a spotlight on some of the world’s best aerial photography. The subjects of those showcased range from a volcanic eruption to the abstract patterns of fish farms as seen from above, and from never-before-seen views of Patagonia to powerful impressions of the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland. Above the World is an ode to the beauty of the aerial image as it can be seen and captured by anyone. Let yourself be inspired.” (Adapted from Amazon.com)

The Airfix book of scale modelling / Mock, Jonathan
“Produced in full collaboration with Airfix and Humbrol, this book explains how to build scale models to suit all levels of modelling skill. With full colour photography throughout, different kits in a range of scales are reviewed and evaluated, along with a comprehensive overview of the paints and accessories that are available.” (Catalogue)

Great to share with family:

The flying machine book : build and launch 35 rockets, gliders, helicopters, boomerangs, and more / Mercer, Bobby
“Shows readers how to turn rubber bands, paper clips, straws, plastic bottles, and index cards into amazing, gravity-defying flyers. Each project contains a material list and detailed step-by-step instructions with photos. Mercer also includes explanations of the science behind each flyer, including concepts such as lift, thrust, and drag, the Bernoulli effect, and more”–Provided by publisher.” (Catalogue)

50 model rocket projects for the evil genius / Harper, Gavin D. J
“Plans, diagrams, schematics, and lists of parts and tools for model rocket projects.” (Catalogue)