Model Trains Bible Blog

Joe Kanooga questioned:


Before adding scenery to your HO or O scale model trains toys, first determine the theme, location and layout.

Theme: Consider the theme or purpose for the setting you want to achieve. Is it a passenger train, a military base, or some other setting? The location should be considered, such as if you want the train to travel through towns to and from its destination. Reckon about the era; do you want your trains toys to be vintage or modern? Your setting and scenery should reflect the overall theme of your train set. Keeping the scenery consistent with the era and theme will keep your train realistic looking.

Location: Choose where you want to show your model trains toys. You might build it on a shelf or countertop for more permanent mounting. You could make an intricate design in which your train runs through the walls (near the ceiling) of your house, traveling from room to room. A different town or factory could be in each room. (Of course, the downside to this type of track is chasing down derailments, but it would be an fascinating leisure activity.)

Layout: After you know the theme and location, plot the layout for the track, terrain, structures and finally, the scenery. The scenery must work within the constraints of the space available and it should compliment your scale model trains. To get some thoughts on what you can do with scenery, there are books available from leisure activity shops. Another source which is quicker and cheaper is a Google search for “train stations” or other related keyword phrases. When you find a real train station, then choose maps, then the Satellite tab and zoom in for a view of the scenery around a real station. You can model your station after that or use parts of it for your own design.

To get started with laying out the scenery, draw a rough sketch design on a piece of paper to get an thought of where you want to place different items. After you have a plot that you like, use a pencil to lightly draw directly on the surface of your layout, whether it is a plywood board or wherever the scenery will be positioned. Plot for height and depth based on the scale of your trains.

Use either construction foam (spray-on kind) or plaster to build hills. The spray foam insulation can be painted and cut to fit your style. Spray the foam on a working surface where you have room to work, away from your actual layout, shaping it to the bottom layer of the “hill.” Trim the edges until you are satisfied with its look. Add more layers, spraying and trimming each time, until your hill is the right height. Be sure the layers fit together. Once you are satisfied with the hill’s height and shape, glue each layer together with a product like Liquid Nails. Hold the layers together with toothpicks until dry. Once dry, you can glue the hill to your board, making it part of your scenery. Let this sit aside while you continue adding scenery.

Start adding ground cover materials around the track. Your leisure activity store should have several sizes and shades available; a mix of colors and sizes will provide realistic settings for a wide variety of trains toys. If you will be painting or trimming any scenery near the tracks, be sure to cover the tracks with masking tape.

Choose the placement of trees, grass, and other ground covers before moving to the next step. Be sure you have marked the board with the location of each item.

When you are ready to use ground cover, brush an earth-colored brown paint onto an area a few feet square. Your ground cover will stick to the paint as the paint dries. Add some broken branches or more ground cover to enhance your scenery. Continue this process around the board, being sure to protect the tracks as you work.

If you added water to your scenery, be sure to check that the water flows easily, but doesn’t gush and therefore cause hurt to your track. The complexity of your water scene determines how much containment you will need for the water. Simply adding a green paint with shimmers gives the illusion of a small pond.

Once the ground cover is all in place, it’s time to add your trees, animals, or other items to your scene. Be sure that bought items are the same scale as your scale model trains. Your towns can include traffic lights, building, cars, people, and pets. Browse your local leisure activity shop or an online store for items that fit your theme, whether it’s early steam engine or modern supersonic trains.

Once you’ve mastered these simple scenery-building basics, you can add intricate designs, holiday-themed elements, and trees and scenery that reflect the change of seasons. As your train set expands, you can add detailed cities, construction sites, and other scenic items as you choose. Have fun with your designs. Take pictures, keep them in a photo album so you can see your progress, and have a record of your changes.

Kevin Smalley questioned:


Model Trains has become a leisure pursuit by many for years. It is a excellent way to engage your time and polish your artistic talent.  There is so much involved in this leisure activity other than just collecting locomotive. It also entails building sceneries and enriching your skill on scales and gauges. Gauge refers to the distance between the rails. Models of certain scale run on standard-gauge track.

Learn Model Trains

Manufacturers have the goal of making accurate and realistic model trains. The first model trains were powered by wind-up clockwork, or steam engines, with the first electric model trains appearing in the late 19th century.

The German manufacturer Marklin produced detailed trains as well as signals, stations, houses, and other scenery and destinations. Other German companies made ride-on-top live steam trains.

In 1906, Joshua Cowen invented Lionel trains, which soon became to dominate the American toy train market. More recently, LGB popularized garden trains in the United States.

Toy trains look less realistic than model trains, but often appeal to collectors. The first toy trains were made of cast =iron or were pull toys. In the early 20th century, Lionel started making toy trains for standard gauge and O gauge. Other companies, such as American Flyer, Ives, and Marx made similar trains.

The interactive aspect of trains make toy trains perfect for young children. Some adults’ first memory of a toy was that of a Lionel train. Children between the ages of 4 and 6 may be introduced to wooden train sets that spark the imagination. Children 8 years of age and older may be introduced to S scale electric trains, HO scale electric trains, or G scale electric trains under the guidance of an adult. Make sure that you carefully read all safety instructions that come with any train set before allowing children of any age to use it.

Four Most Common Scales

Z scale (1:220) model railroad trains: Z scale trains make a excellent choice for anyone with limited space. These trains are not only tiny but highly detailed.     N scale (1:160) model railroad trains: N scale is a well loved scale and the second smallest after Z scale. N scale trains are perfect for hobbyists who want to run long trains or keep the focus on the scenery. The price of N equipment is slightly higher than HO scale. Micro-Trains, or MTL, is a well-known brand that makes scale trains.     HO scale (1:87) model railroad trains: HO scale trains, one of the most well loved scales with modelers, come in countless types of trains and have = large selection of scenery available as well. HO trains are generally highly detailed and a excellent value. An HO layout requires a moderate amount of space.     S scale (1:64) model railroad trains: S scale trains—the scale of American Flyer trains—also =ave a strong following among narrow-gauge model railroaders. This larger scale makes the train dominate any set. S scale does not have the massive following of HO or N scale.     O scale (1:48) model railroad trains: O scale trains are very well loved toy =rains. Lionel continues to make trains for =his scale. O scale trains are easily handled by children. MTH makes tinplate lines of model trains in O and standard gauges.     G scale (1:22.5) model railroad trains: G scale trains are for indoor use, but =re especially suited for garden trains. L.G.B. made the scale well loved in the United States and makes detailed, sturdy trains that stand up to =he elements. Other manufacturers in this scale include Bachmann and Aristo-Craft.

 

 

 

Chris Breault questioned:


For those who are in like with model trains, model train shows really are a fantastic thought. Not only will you get to show off your modeling prowess, you will also get to witness the handiwork of others firsthand. On top of that, there are all types of other events that occur at these model train shows, and they’re nothing that you want to miss!

First of all you have the many different varieties of train, from the garden variety, all the way to the smaller models. You will also see different types of scenery. You would be amazed at how fantastic people are at perspective modeling. This is a method of modeling where a person is able to make it appear as though there is more space on the model than there really is. There are a few different ways that they can do this, and when they pull it off, it is really incredible.

Luckily, after the 1930’s the NMRA set standards by which model railroads were to be built. Before this happened, it was impossible for one model train to run on someone else’s railroad. Now that it is possible, people are able to bring their trains without disassembling their tracks.

At these shows you will find that there are tons of different types of model train sets on show, and you could spend an entire day just looking at half of them. You can either bring your own train set, or you can just take in the view. Either way, you are perfectly welcome at a model train show, whether you’re a veteran modeler, or just a beginner.

In addition to everything else, you will be able to attend clinics where you will be taught the proper way to go about modeling. Whether you’re wanting to run your model train through a tunnel, or learn how to control it through a computer program, you will learn everything that you could possibly need to know at these clinics. But rush up, they fill up quick!

Some events at the model railroad shows don’t have anything to do with the railroad. You might get to delight in coffee, cookies, and even contests. Then you’ll have the banquets that take place, as per the entry fee that you probably paid to get in. These shows are truly incredible, and if you have never been to one there hasn’t been a better time, especially considering the standards that have been place in place by the NMRA.

Look online to see if there is a model railroad show occurring near you anytime soon. You might really be surprised at the things that are happening right in your hometown. From sharing your leisure activity with others, to seeing what others have accomplished, you’re sure to have a fantastic time at a model railroad show!