Posts Tagged ‘railroading’
Who likes model railroading?
My Dad, and myself love trains. I have a large N scale layout. I personality have a problem finding a companion who can except me, and the fact that it’s not a toy train set. That’s what my X call it…lol I do have a life, outside of model railroading. It’s like a artistic expression of myself, and a passion for detail. 
Model Railroading a Fun Hobby For Anyone!
Model railroading is a hobby that isn’t just for kids anymore; it can be enjoyed by just about anyone. There are many different types of model railroads and a kind to fit any need. The first thing you need do when you want a model rail road is decide what scale you want. Here is a quick run down of the scales: N Scale Model Trains are the smallest size of all the train sets. Ho Scale Model Trains is by far the most popular The scale ratio is 1/87th. The minimum track circle needs to be 69″ across. A typical box car for this scale is 6″ long and 1 ½” tall. O Scale Model Trains is best known the Electric Toy Train brand Lionel Trains This is the best choice for an all around set if you have the room. G Scale Model Trains are the largest scale Toy Train Set. Its often called “Garden Scale” because people can use them outside in there garden, or in there backyard. Now that you know the basic types of model trains, this is where it gets fun. Model railroad scenery and the track design for your set. This is where you get to customize your set, and make it perfect for you.
Scenery for model trains is what give your train set the life and give it the feel and design that you want. There are many different types of scenery for you train sets, but a few types of model railroad scenery can be broken down into the following categories:
Backdrops – Easy to install, these printed backdrops add depth and distance by creating a smooth transition between you actual scenery and backdrop
Complete Scenery Kits – Complete scenery kits usually come designed to look like specific stations, your completely unique ones. They usually come with enough parts to give you train a very nice look – and are often cheaper then buying it piece by piece. The problem is you cant customize your set as much with these.
There are also Foliage, Grass Mats, Covers, Plastic Kits, Rock Molds, and many other choices. The nice thing about model railroading is no matter what you want your railroad scene to look like, there is a good chance that there is a company who makes it, or you can find it somewhere. Scenery can either be purchased by scale, or by manufacturer. You can use any scale scenery for your train, it doesn’t have to be scale specific just as long as it will sit by the side. The track design for your model rail road is another area where you can go completely wild.
You need to buy pieces for your track that are the same as the scale, or else they will not work. A HO Scale track will not work for a G Scale Model Train because they are different sizes. Track pieces come in just about every style that you could ever want, and you can make the tracks go on forever as long as you have enough power going to them and they are always connected. Now that you know ways that you can customise your model train, get started with a set and the possibilities will never end, and you can see why model railroading will be fun for anyone.
The Art of Model Railroading Calendar
Product Description
2010 Calendar, The Art of Model Railroading… More >>
The Art of Model Railroading Calendar
Basic Model Railroading: Getting Started in the Hobby
- ISBN13: 9780890243343
- Condition: NEW
- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
Product Description
From the basics of tracklaying, wiring, and maintaining locomotives to the finer points of scenery building, painting, weathering, and detailing models, every aspect of modeling is presented in this up-to-date reference. Packed with simple tips and techniquies and instructions for building a basic 4 x 8 foot HO scale layout with scenery…. More >>
Basic Model Railroading: Getting Started in the Hobby
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An Introduction To N Scale Model Railroading
One of the smaller scales of model train, the N in N scale model train stands for the number nine; the space between the rails used for these trains is nine millimeters. This scale is significantly smaller than the other popular scales of model train: O and HO, making this ideal for those model train hobbyists who don’t necessarily have a lot of room to devote to their hobby but want to maximize their use of space. N scale is also a good choice for those who want to run longer trains in their layouts. These trains have the advantage of being smaller and lighter and as such, they need less power than do the larger model railroad scales. Even with their smaller size, these trains generally have a lot of detail and realism, often more than O and HO scale trains. N scale trains allow hobbyists to create complex layouts which have a lot of realism in far less space than a larger scale train may take. This makes this scale of model trains a great choice for transporting layouts to expositions and other public exhibits. These trains are used enough that hobbyists have access to a wide variety of scenery elements and accessories for their N scale model railroads. You can find scenery for these trains which are just as detailed and realistic as those available for larger scales. There are also N scale steam locomotives which make real steam due to their use of boilers. Another advantage of these smaller trains is that you can use batteries or an ordinary power supply to run your model railroad. N scale model trains are small enough that you can set up your layout even if you live in a smaller apartment or have only half of a room to dedicate to your hobby. You can make even large and elaborate N scale model railroad layouts on one relatively small plywood sheet which can be transported with ease – you can look at examples of these layouts online, including videos. You can also find instructional videos and books which can help you to get started building your own layouts. Many people are of the opinion that a less popular scale such as N scale doesn’t offer a lot of choices to hobbyists in terms of accessories and scenery items – but as it happens, there is plenty available to N scale enthusiasts. While you might not see everything you’re looking for in a local hobby shop, you can easily find all of the N scale accessories you need on the web. There are websites which specialize in sets and accessories for this scale of model train. Those who are newer to the hobby or to this scale will find a lot to like about Bachman’s N scale model railroad sets such as the White Christmas Express. This set includes enough track for a 34″ by 24″ oval, a steam locomotive, a tender car, two cars and caboose as well as a power pack, a working headlight and speed controller. There are also plenty of other choices – Bachman offers a wide variety of other sets and accessories which anyone who loves N Scale Model Trains is sure to love.
One of the smaller scales of model train, the N in N scale model train stands for the number nine; the space between the rails used for these trains is nine millimeters. This scale is significantly smaller than the other popular scales of model train: O and HO, making this ideal for those model train hobbyists who don’t necessarily have a lot of room to devote to their hobby but want to maximize their use of space. N scale is also a good choice for those who want to run longer trains in their layouts. These trains have the advantage of being smaller and lighter and as such, they need less power than do the larger model railroad scales.
Even with their smaller size, these trains generally have a lot of detail and realism, often more than O and HO scale trains. N scale trains allow hobbyists to create complex layouts which have a lot of realism in far less space than a larger scale train may take. This makes this scale of model trains a great choice for transporting layouts to expositions and other public exhibits.
You can create just about any sort of layout you’d like for your N scale model trains even if you happen to have just part of a room available for your model railroading – even an elaborate layout can be built on just one sheet of plywood while being small enough that it can be taken anywhere you like. There are videos and photos both offline and online as well as books which can help you to get started creating your own N scale Model Train Layouts.
Some people believe that the lower popularity of these small trains means that there just aren’t enough products on the market, but this isn’t really the case. While local stores don’t always offer the best selection, a simple search online will help you turn up a number of specialty retailers. There are sites that specialize in just N scale!
Those who are newer to the hobby or to this scale will find a lot to like about Bachman’s N scale model railroad sets such as the White Christmas Express. This set includes enough track for a 34″ by 24″ oval, a steam locomotive, a tender car, two cars and caboose as well as a power pack, a working headlight and speed controller. There are also plenty of other choices – Bachman offers a wide variety of other sets and accessories which anyone who loves N scale model trains is sure to love.
The Author is a Model Train enthusiast, he has helped many hobbyists to create the layout of their dreams thanks to his 10 Days Email Mini-Course. Visit his website ModelTrainsLessons.com to subscribe to this Free course or simply to find more information on n model railroad.
