Model Train Beginners Need This…

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Model of the CSXT4346.

Model train beginners need clarity!

Why do model railroaders need clarity?

Because the model train opportunities are endless!

You can build a layout in your basement, attic, shed, garage or garden.

You can run steam or diesel locomotives.

You can have multilevel railways with rivers, dams, mountains, snow… You get the idea!

The opportunities are truly endless in this wonderful hobby.

Some points to consider are:

Where are you going to build your layout?

In my case it’s "Where will my Wife let me?" :-)  

I find that I prefer being in the shed where I am out of the way and can enjoy lots of "me" time. I have a friend who has a large model train layout in his front lounge area.

How much space have you got available?

The entire layout needs to be easily reachable by the operator to correct derailed trains, line faults, etc. "Against the wall" layouts need to be restricted to 3 feet wide.

A layout size of at least 3 feet 6 inches x 4 feet would allow space for a continuous loop railroad in HO scale.

A layout space of at least 6 x 4 feet would be a better option. This would allow room to have a reasonably interesting model railroad.

Which scale are you going to use?

This is largely dependent on the space you have available and how much detail you want. Detail is easier to see and reproduce on larger models.

HO scale is the most common and has the widest variety of accessories available. But if space is at a premium then consider N scale.

You can build an N scale layout in an area about 30% of that area needed to build a similar layout in HO scale.

Will you model a real life layout or create your own?

Most model train enthusiasts will eventually create models of real life systems. It can be challenging to model real life systems, but is very rewarding.

Google Earth provides us with the perfect tool to check layouts, sizes, scenery, buildings and more. Being clear on what you want will make your life so much easier.



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A Good Quality Locomotive Is Essential

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steam locomotive on model train outlet

A good quality locomotive will make all the difference…

It can be very frustrating having a locomotive that you need to push to get going, or it suddenly speeds up and falls off the tracks.

A locomotive runs by picking up the electricity from the track through its wheels. The wheels transfer the electricity to the motor, which then turns the gears to drive the locomotive.

A locomotive with poor pickup on the wheels or a poor gear set up will give you lots of problems. As with most things, you get what you pay for… but this is one area you do not want to skimp on. A great operating locomotive is 90% of the way to having a fantastic model train layout.

When buying a locomotive these points are critical:

  • 1) The amount of metal wheels that pick up the electricity – the more the better, but definitely more than 1 set.
     
  • 2) A good gearing ratio and motor which requires the least amount of electricity to move the locomotive, with a slow but smooth start.
     
  • 3) Flywheels at one or both ends of the motor to ensure a smooth take off and smooth stop.
     
  • 4) The weight of the locomotive should be just right to maintain a good connection to the track at all times but not too heavy to make the locomotive sluggish.
     
  • 5) The length of the locomotive – shorter diesel locomotives are less likely to derail on the curves than longer steam locomotives.

Most hobby shops will let you test the locomotive on their in-house test tracks before you buy.

Test the locomotive forwards and backwards… Check for a nice smooth take off and a nice smooth stop when the power is ramped up or down.

I usually go into my local hobby shop after doing my research online, test the locomotive, and then I know what price to negotiate around…

That tip has saved me nearly 30% of the retail price in some cases…

Buy quality when you buy your locomotives… I guarantee the investment will be well worth it.



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The Secrets To Weathering Your Model Trains

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Why should you weather your model trains?
 
Whether you are just getting started with model trains, or you have been enjoying this hobby for a long time, there are many different things that you can do to make your model train layout look more realistic.
 
You may have already spent a lot of time making sure that your models are to scale, but if you want your model railroad to look real, you have to avoid it looking too new!
 
Having objects in your train set look too shiny or too new can be quite distracting.
 
This is why you need to think about how to weather them.
 
Weathering is the process by which you can make new objects look distressed and more worn.
 
It can be instrumental in how you take your model train set to the next level.
 
One product that you should have on hand when you are thinking about weathering metal objects on your train set is a can of Rustall.
 
This is a simple aerosol spray that will allow you to put touches, or even whole finishes of rust on various bits of your model set. It works best on a surface that has been primed or that otherwise has some tooth to it, allowing the mixture to settle.
 
When you spray something with Rustall, you’ll have a great look of rusted metal and the more you spray on, the more weathered the object looks.
 
When you are thinking about adding brick buildings to your model train layout, think about how you can make the bricks look even more realistic.
 
Take some diluted latex paint in gray or buff and brush it carelessly across the face of the brick.
 
Then take a rag and wipe the surface off while it is still wet. The paint stays in the channels between the brick when you do this and defines some bricks more than others.
 
When was the last time that you saw a roof that was perfectly shingled and detailed, especially when you are looking at older buildings?
 
You want to give your model train layout a homely and well worn look.
 
Using a craft knife, or a sharp flat object, gently pry up some of the shingles on your model train building. Missing shingles are a little much, but if you start prying some of the shingles out of their beddings, you will give more texture to the building as a whole.
 
One important tip to remember when you are painting on finishes is to let gravity help you and guide you.
 
Think about painting on a finish and having it drip a little.
 
This can look great, because in real life paint usually drips down.
 
However, if you are holding your structure upside down, this creates a drip pattern that is very different to what it should be in real life!
 
Take a moment to look at your finishes and to make sure that you are getting the drip pattern that you need.
 
Weathering is great fun and requires no special skills, just a willingness to give it a try.
 
Start with an old model or even some scrap plastic, until you are more confident.
 
By observing the older buildings in your area you will notice how the elements have faded the paint, corroded the metals, rotted the timber, etc.
 
This will give you many ideas that you can apply to your model train buildings. Weathering your model train buildings, locomotives and cars will massively improve the realism and appeal of your model railroad. Give it a try today!


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Which Model Train Scale Is Best?

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A question I always get asked by people considering model trains as their new hobby is:
 

“Which model train scale (or gauge) is best?”


First up… A common mistake for model train beginners, is to confuse scale and gauge.

I’ll explain…

Scale is the proportion of your model to the real thing. An example is a HO scale locomotive. This locomotive will be 1/87 the size of the real locomotive.

Gauge in model trains is the width between the inside running edge of the track as shown in the drawing below.

.

 

So How Does Someone Considering Model Trains Decide Which Scale To Start With?

 

This comes down to 3 deciding factors –

  1. How much space you have available for your model train layout,.
  2. The physical size of model train equipment you prefer working with, and.
  3. The accessories available for that model train scale..

 

Let me explain these 3 points in detail… .

 

1. How Much Space Do You Have Available?

Building a model railroad layout in HO scale will be about 1/2 the size of a similar model train layout in O scale.

The turning radius’ in HO scale will be tighter, the structures will be smaller, the detail will be less important and it is easier to hide mistakes in a smaller scale like HO scale.

It can be very hard to create a realistic looking layout in a large scale.

HO scale has become very popular because it is a “middle-of-the-road” scale and easier to make look realistic.

A HO scale continuous loop model railroad will need a 3 feet 6 inch x 4 foot table, while a HO scale switching model railroad can be created on a 4 x 1 foot table.

A model train layout space of 6 feet x 4 feet would be enough to have an interesting HO scale layout with a continuous loop.

If you don’t have that much room available, then you should consider a N scale layout which can be built in less than 1/3 of the area required by a similar HO scale model train layout. .

 

2. Which Scale Do You Prefer Working With?

It can get very frustrating trying to work with a locomotive or car that you struggle to hold, or struggle to see the small fiddly pieces.

A big magnifying glass, bright lighting and tools to work with your trains can solve many of these problems, but often it’s easier to just model a bigger scale.

This hobby should be fun, so there is no need for frustration searching for the lost magnifier or your glasses…

Children will also find it easier operating and manipulating the bigger scales, from HO scale upwards.

Bigger scale rolling stock tends to be heavier and less likely to derail. .

 

3. What Accessories Are Available For The Scale You Are Considering?

At this stage HO scale is the most popular model railroad scale.

Because of this the manufacturers have responded and are constantly creating a huge amount of accessories and rolling stock for HO scale.

The popularity has come from HO scale being just the right size for most people to appreciate the detail, the amazingly good running performance and the price.

Check with your local hobby shop to see which scale they have the most accessories for. It is often easier to buy from your local hobby shop initially… or at least until you know exactly what you want.

Then have a look at eBay. .

 

Now, my question to you is… .

Which Model Train Scale Are You Considering, or Already Modeling, and Why?

.Just scroll down now and enter your comment below… I will appreciate it and so will the thousands of readers of this site… Thank-you in advance! .



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G-Scale Model Trains

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G scale model trains have got to be the best all around train size for beginners and experts alike.
 
These trains are bigger than most, at a 1:22 scale, one twenty-second the size of a real train.
 
This means that the train is six inches high and around 27" long, ideal for children to handle with relative ease.
 
G scale is a really good beginning train for families that want to explore this hobby together. Many of these train sets are found around the holidays, trekking around a Christmas tree for example.
 
One of the nice things about these G-scale model trains is that they are easy to set up, since the tracks are larger and easier to handle. But because of its size, it takes up more room and even a simple layout can fill up a dining room table.
 
 
If you are planning a permanent indoor setting, then some thought and careful planning are needed. This is an excellent opportunity for families to get together and have some quality time.
 
Even if the children are smaller, they may still have some ideas you can incorporate into the layout and when you are building the bench work for the base, they can help you by holding the tools.
 
They can help you in other ways as well.
 
Because of its larger scale, these G-scale model trains are ideal for using and making scenery and buildings yourself.
 
There are many kids toys that are ideal for these things as well, people, some buildings, cars or trucks. Anything that they want to contribute can help.
 
You should explain to them that this item will not be played with unless you are all together. You can also have them help you make things, like taking an empty can and cleaning it and painting it for a water tower, or decorating a box to make into a building.
 
G scale model trains are also ideal for setting up outdoors and blend in quite well in garden settings or landscaping.
 
They are large enough to see from a deck or patio and can be set up with some really elaborate layouts. There are many different examples on video and in photos which you can view to get some ideas.
 
Many of these can be found online, or you can order a number of different books with layout designs.
 
It is a good idea if you are planning an outdoor design setting is to start from scratch, or as close as you can. Start with the track design, so you can lay out all the control wiring and any extra power for layout lighting or accessory needs.
 
Be sure that as you add things that you can still access these components with relative ease. You wouldn’t want to put in plants, for example, or you may have to dig them up when you have a problem.
 
There are many different basic sets available for G scale model trains.
 
If you want just a cheap model, you can usually find a basic set at many toy retailers. Many of these are in holiday themes and can have music, lights or other components.
 
Make sure that your children play with these under your supervision. If you are wanting something a little better, then you can expect to pay over one hundred dollars for basic sets with just the G scale train and tracks.

Dan B Morgan is the author of Model Trains For Beginners which contains more detail on G scale model trains – compulsory reading for any model train beginner. >> click here for more…



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