Model Trains Bible Blog

Stuart James Smith questioned:


Anyone who has spent the significant amount of time it takes to be a railroad hobbyist knows the importance of using model train show cases to keep their investment safe. There are far too many factors that can hinder the functioning of a model train not to take precautions against them. If you find the right one, not only will your investment and leisure activity be safe, but you’ll still be able to view and delight in it as much as when it’s running.

You have two options when it comes to model train show cases, you can hire someone to build one for you, or you can take on the project and build it yourself. Of course hiring someone would be far simpler, but much more expensive. If you’re like most of us, you’ll want to save some money and choose to build it yourself. I hope that these tips will give you some help in the process.

Instead of starting from scratch, you can buy some pre-fabricated cabinets – i.e. medicine cabinet-in which to store your model trains. Be sure to buy the cabinets with glass front doors in order for your train pieces to be viewed. From here, you will design the set-up of the show case around the dimensions of your train pieces. This is inexpensive, quick, and simple to accomplish. These cabinets make the perfect model train show cases.

If starting from scratch, buy enough wood to construct a similar structure as the cabinets above. The open-finished box you make will serve as the frame of your show case. It should be shallow and have dimensions to fit your model train pieces. When installing the shelving, you want to be sure that they are adjustable to different heights. By simply drilling different holes and inserting dowels you allow yourself the ability to adjust the shelving around to accommodate the different sizes of your pieces.

The shelving you choose upon should be either wood or glass. If you choose to go with the glass shelving, your model pieces should be showed on the track pieces themselves, separated by stoppers on both ends. If you choose to go with wooden shelving, the pieces can simply be placed on mini dowels you have drilled into place to hold your model pieces in place.

When constructing the backing for your model train show case, many folks tend to go for a mirrored effect. Mirrored backing is much harder to work with than a simple wooden backing. But, if you wish your case to encompass a bit of class, then you may want to steer towards a mirrored backing. The doors once again need to be glass or some form of clear acrylic sheets in order for your model to be showed and viewed. Be sure the hinges are strong and mounted correctly.

While hiring someone to construct your model train show case may be the simpler way to go, you’ll be very pleased with your finished product considering you built it by hand and you saved yourself a load of money. Take your time and do it right, and you’ll be enjoying your model train set for years to come.

David Blackburn questioned:


Most people will say when getting started as a model railroader, the most vital piece to buy is the train itself. While this is an vital component to be sure, it does you no excellent without the right model train track to place it on. Buying the right track will mean the difference between having something that is fun and something, which simply won’t work. Factors to keep in mind when buying model train track is the size of the train, what you will be doing with the train, where the train will be, and the realism of the tracks.

Buying the right size model train track will allow you to be able to properly send your train around the track with ease. Keep in mind; the wheels of the train should fit snugly against the track in order to be able to roll correctly. The general rule is to match the scale of the train with the gauge of the track. An example of this would be to have a G scale train on a G scale track. While there might be slight variations in the actual size of the trains, the wheels should be standardized enough to be able to fit on the track. Buying the incorrect size track will make it impossible to operate your train correctly.

Some model railroaders believe the only way to properly show a model train is to lay the track themselves. There are model train track kits available, which will include rails, wood ties and railroad spikes. This will allow you to lay your own track as you see fit and have a high degree of realism in your tracks. The largest factor to keep in mind is the process involved in laying your own track. There is a lot of precision required in laying your own track if you do not want for the train itself to jump track while it is speeding around the track. This is recommended only for professionals, or train clubs.

Where you will be running your train is something you will want to keep in mind when buying your model train track. If you are running a G scale train outside, you will want to avoid an aluminum track. While the track is inexpensive, it is highly vulnerable to corrosion and unsuitable for use on an outdoor track. You are better suited to use the more well loved nickel-silver alloy as your track. Being the most well loved type of track, you should be able to find it most anywhere you will be able to find model train supplies. Another excellent suggestion for an outdoor track is stainless steel. While it is more expensive, it resists rusts and corrosion very well.

Those looking for a model train track, which will truly represent how the track would look in real life, should consider using flexitrack. This track is able to be positioned into nearly any position you need in order to make a more realistic appearance for your layout. You can make curves, which will be very gentle, or extreme in nature as the choice is yours to make. The track comes in standardized lengths, but snaps together with other lengths giving you more control over how long your final product will be.