About our Rails Bespoke Custom Services
At Rails of Sheffield, we understand that no two modellers are the same. Whether you’re recreating a cherished memory, completing a unique layout, or bringing a specific vision to life, our new Bespoke Custom Services are designed to give you something truly personal.
With decades of experience, industry expertise, and a passion for detail, our team can help transform your ideas into expertly crafted models and components—made to your exact requirements.
Our new highly experienced customisation team is eager to bring your custom dreams to life! We are applying the finishing touches to our bespoke studio with state of the art technology, heavily investing in expert technicians and equipment. No expense has been spared making sure we have the best of the best.
The Rails Bespoke service is currently in development, and we have now launched our first round of services!
🤔 HOW DOES IT WORK? 🤔
If a product is customisable under our new system - you will now see a new dropdown box on the product page marked 'Customisations'. Simply click this to see what options are available to you - including but not limited to DCC & Sound Fittings, Additional Detailing and Weathering.
We are working to add these services to as many products as possible and to expand the different services we offer too, so check back often for more news.
Simply select the services you would like and place your order, then we'll be in touch to advise on timescales. This can be anything from just a few days, to a few weeks for more advanced customisations.
Scroll through the images below to see some examples.
🤩 KEY POINTS 🤩
🧑🧒🧒 The Rails Family is Expanding
We’re proud to share that the Rails family continues to grow with the addition of our Rails Bespoke team! This marks the next exciting chapter for us, strengthening our reputation as the UK’s No.1 leading model railway specialist and enhancing our service offering for all customers.
🎨 All New Bespoke Services at Rails
You asked, we listened - Although we already offered digital fittings and weathering, it has long been our ambition to take these services to the next level! We're excited to bring you new market-leading customisation and weathering services directly through Rails of Sheffield.
👋🏻 Highly Skilled New Team Joins Rails
A team of highly experienced new team members have joined Rails of Sheffield. You can be confident that you will receive a familiar personal touch and exceptional standards of craftsmanship. This takes the Rails family to over 70 members of the team - and growing!
🏆 Generations of Expertise
As we celebrated our 55th anniversary in 2025, our highly experienced new team allow us to bring you the best in bespoke model railway finishing. Their knowledge and passion for detail is second to none, and we are honoured to have such highly qualified specialists within the Rails family.
💻 Stay Tuned for New Services Coming
Our website has just been updated and many products are now available to order with our custom services. We are working hard to bring these services to as many products as possible and to expand our offerings in the future. If you have any feedback, do not hesitate to get in touch.
Frequently Asked Questions
What services do you offer?
Currently we have a range of services available on certain products, including but not limited to:
DCC decoder & sound fitting
Blowing sounds to individual decoders
Stay alive
Weathering
Fitting crew and passengers
Detailing packs
Real coal
Lamps and lighting
Can you offer custom services aside from those listed on the website?
If you do not see services on certain products, please get in touch via our Contact Page and we will look to resolve this.
Why are the new bespoke services not available on this product?
We are expanding the range of products with the new services over time, so you may see the older style of customisations available until this has been completed. Please get in touch if you would like us to offer the services on a particular product so you can place an order
Can I send my own products in for bespoke services?
Yes, we can offer this. Please get in touch so we can price this up for you and arrange for the work to be done. Once this has been arranged then you can post the items to us.
How experienced are the Bespoke Team?
All members of bespoke have worked previously in this industry and have honed their skills to make sure you receive an experienced, professional service. Some of the staff have over 10 years in the role so rest assured your locos and items are in safe hands.
How long will I be waiting for my bespoke item?
For standard services including lights, DCC and sound this can take anything from 2-5 days. There are plans in future to also offer a while you wait pre-bookable experience for these services. For Weathering and renumbering we advise 1-2 weeks depending on the level of work required.
Can you do full resprays?
At the moment we are not currently offering full resprays but we do plan to revisit this in the future.
Can I add customisation to a pre-order product?
We are working on adding these features, but this is not currently available at this time.
👋🏻 MEET OUR TEAM 👋🏻
Zoe Davis - Shop Manager/Bespoke Liaison
Hi everyone, Zoe here. I have been into model railways since the young age of 5, helping my Dad to build his layout and growing the passion from then into my own hobby learning more and more each year. Now me and my partner model OO and G Scale and have 2 layouts. I have worked as a manger for over 7 years in the model rail industry including overseeing and supporting services such as what Bespoke now offer at Rails. It is a labour of love as I have also worked on real locomotives and Rolling stock at a previous Job. I look forward to bringing my combined skills, knowledge and experience to Rails to help support the hobby I love so much and inspire others to take the leap into the world of model railways.
Thomas Chadburn - Bespoke Manager
Hi Tom here, Leading the charge from our bespoke services team. I have 6+ years experience in bringing model trains to life with all kinds of custom features including repairs, sound and light fitting and anything else you can think of. I have been managing the bespoke team for a long time now and we have a good working relationship in order to complete orders and ensure happy customers. I have good problem solving skills and enjoy working alongside customers to make their railway dreams come true. I will be looking forward to helping your model railway vision happen!
Robert Clarke - Bespoke Manager
Hi, I have over 13 and a half years experience in Fitting/Repairing and testing of Models. Good understanding of electrics and components also good problem solving skills. Liaising with customers on a daily basis from start to finish of a customer order. Keen to learn new skills and knowledge of new items that come into stock.
Jake Glendinning - Bespoke Fitter
Hi, I'm Jake. I've been in the industry for 10 years now, customising, servicing and repairing models of most gauges, new and old. My main experience is with OO and O gauge, but I have worked on plenty of N gauge as well. I love the kind of work I do, and I'm looking forward to being able to bring that to Rails
Connor Vyce - Bespoke Fitter
Hello, I'm Connor. I've been in the business of customising model locos for a number of years, from servicing to repairing, working on models from multiple manufacturers like Hornby, Bachmann and Heljan. I'm passionate about my work and under Rails I'm looking forward to a future of further perfecting the craft and bringing life to model locos old and new.
Aaron Quinn - Bespoke Fitter
Hello, my names Aaron from the Rails Of Sheffield Bespoke Team. I've been working in this line of work for 5 years now, and I will be more than happy to make your ideal customisations for your locos a reality.
Declan Housley - Bespoke Fitter
Hi this is Declan, from the Bespoke team. I've been in the industry for 5 years. I enjoy the work we do modifying your locomotives with exciting and cool features.
Chris Haynes - Bespoke Spray Shop Manager
Hello, Chris here. I have been working on models big and small, passing my knowledge along to my fellow colleagues for 15 years. I was around when fitting sound first became popular, and that progressed into fitting more and more customisations, from oil lamps to smoke units. I then furthered my skills, by delving into painting and renumbering making me capable of nearly anything when it comes to model trains. My skills thrive in repairs, I love getting my hands on something that has been wrote off, because I hate being defeated by a problem.
Sam Bright - Bespoke Spray Shop
Hi I am Sam, I have been painting Trains professionally now for 3 years. Prior to this I spent a lot of my free time honing my painting skills by painting Miniature models for over 30 years as a passionate hobby. I am excited to continue my painting Career with Rails.