Model railway locomotives and rolling stock all need to be kept clean and well-maintained, as does the track-work and layout in general. It can be a constant job to keep things operating efficiently and protecting trains and structures from dirt, grime and dust build up. Some veterans in the hobby give the scenery and track a light spray with distilled water as one method of maintaining it in good condition. There are various other tasks including track cleaning and locomotive lubrication that need to be done periodically. When the tracks are dirty the trains will pick up the dirt and dust and this can potentially cause big problems. Leaving locomotives sitting on track for days, weeks, or months on end can also be problematic. One of the most important accessories in the model train hobby has to be model train storage boxes. These boxes are a must in order to keep your train in mint condition. Click here for lots more clever model train layout ideas There are various options, the first being to make your own storage system. It depends how fussy you want to be whether you make them out of wood, cardboard, or buy ready-made plastic containers. The important thing is to protect your trains from damage and dust. You can also buy customized storage boxes equipped to fit various railroad scales whether it is: N scale, HO Scale, O Scale, S scale, On30 or G scale. There is a storage box made particularly to store almost any size of locomotives and cars. The importance of storing your railroad cars:• Most importantly you want your railroad cars to be in the best condition that they can be every time that you use them. The only way you can maintain that condition is if you store them after each use. Each box comes equipped with proper foam padding that keeps all dust and oil from reaching the train and causing any destruction to the paint or construction of the model.
• Organization of your train can be difficult, especially if you do not have enough space to leave the train on display for long periods of time. You will need proper forms of storage to keep the train until you can leave it on display. The best way to organize all of the different cars is in tightly packed foam boxes that can be cut to the specific dimensions of each car. This insures the protection of each model train and keeps them all in an organized area. There are several companies that make parts for model trains along with boxes to store them in. Axian is one of these companies that make specific model train storage boxes. When you purchase ready-made storage boxes here's what you should consider: • Quick and easy delivery with quality packing of the boxes. It may seem strange to be particular about boxes and how they are packed for mailing, but since these storage boxes are to store your valuable model trains, they should be in good condition when you get them. • Each box should come with foam strips to lay your train on and keep organized. There should be additional foam pieces included that will keep your railroad cars from touching and scratching each other within the box. • Decide how many trains or cars you want to store in each box. Some will take 20 cars within each box, but most train hobbyists have found this to be difficult with cars of different shape and style. You may be able to store 20 to a box if they are only coal or iron ore hoppers. • Are the boxes suited for passenger cars? You may not be able to store many cars over 50' in one of these boxes. • Will the boxes fit on any storage shelf neatly and in a tidy fashion? Will they take up much room? • Make certain you do not experience any rattling or movement of the cars when lifting the cases from one place to another. The cars will need to be tightly packed within the boxes and the box does a sufficient job of keeping the cars safe. • You might also consider placing some paper between the cars and the foam for long periods of storage, because certain paints can stick to foam. Many model train hobbyists recommend that you find model train storage boxes that fit the dimensions of your cars. It depends on the era of model trains you have, because the more modern they are the larger they usually are. If you have larger cars then you will not be able to pack as many into a box, so you need to check the dimensions of the box and the size of your cars before you purchase a good model train storage box. Remember, you don't need to buy everything ready-made; you may prefer to improvise by using containers made for other uses, or to make your own. Doing this might save you some money and provide you with storage boxes that are more suited to your particular trains. Join Robert Anderson's popular online Model Train Club to get lots of clever model railroad ideas to help you build the model train layout of your dreams! Space restrictions should not keep you from being able to create a great model train layout, that's why you should think about an N scale train layout because of the scaling size. The goal for an N scale layout is to have as much functionality, if not more, within a more limited space. With a scale ratio of 1:160, N scale is toward the smaller end of scales, providing you with more room to work but with more difficulty because it is more precise due to the size. As a guide a 40 foot box car in N scale would be around 3.25" long,.75" wide, and 1" high. This compares with a 1:87 HO Scale 40 foot box car that measures around 5.75" long, 1.5" wide, and 2" high. If you want to further compare, a 1:48 O scale 40 foot box car would be 10.5" long, 2.5" wide, and 3.75" high. So, there is a big difference in size, with N Scale being more intricate, but not as suitable for youngsters or older hobbyist with poor eyesight or who might have difficulty manipulating some of the smaller N scale rolling stock. Not sacrificing anything because of space: As I stated earlier, with smaller trains you don't need to sacrifice functionality for space. That said; even though N scale is much smaller you should still plan your layout and track carefully. Just because an N scale train layout will allow you to build a full layout doesn't mean that you should use up all of your space. Do your math honestly and calculate the amount of square footage you can use and still be comfortable. Once you have a good number then you can proceed to purchasing track. Click here for lots more clever model train layout ideas Also, you will want to consider how much activity you will have running simultaneously and the features wired in. You will need a decent size transformer that can deliver at the least 18 volt-amps. You will want your locomotives to get the correct amount of electricity, so don't share too much power between your locomotives and accessories. Think about multiple transformers. Getting it all from N scale trains: Due to the smaller components of an N scale train layout you will want to make sure you have a very stable base on which to place your layout. You will need a strong base structure so that nothing will be interrupted or destroyed in the process. The last thing you want is an accident to occur and your layout get damaged. Having a small setup, you may want to have a covering made for your layout. Some think this is a good idea, because you don't want your hard-earned dollars to go to waste because of dirt, dust, or damage to your layout. You need to be careful not to cover your layout with just anything though. The covering should not contain fibers or particles that can get into the mechanics of your train and create problems. One option is a material by the name of Tyvek can be used for covering your layout. This material is used in kite manufacturing because it is strong, thin, and tear-proof and doesn't contain fibers. Lighting is a must for this size scale. With such small components you will need sufficient lighting in your work space. You may even consider a magnifying headset that will help with your construction of the layout. You need to be able to see and see well. Also, whenever you have completed your layout you want viewers to be able to enjoy your entire project and that is only done through good lighting of the entire space. Keeping your N scale railroad in tip-top shape: For advice on all of model railroading you can download an e-book off of the web that provides plenty of information, advice, and ideas that are useful to your layout. These e-books can also teach you how to maintain your railway and repair them if anything gets broken. Most are modern and updated, and fairly simply to navigate through to find any help and recommendations that you may need.
N scale is one of the best for space limitations and money. N scale train layouts are small and delicate, so allow plenty of time and careful planning before you start tacking on track and rails. Join Robert Anderson's popular online Model Train Club to get lots of clever model railroad ideas to help you build the model train layout of your dreams! Robert Anderson is the author of Model Railroad Scenery & Layout Construction Ideas. Now is when we get to the creative side of model trains. Creating realistic scenery is the part that pulls your layout together and brings it alive. You’ve started with a train set, and now it’s time to convert it to a full scale model railroad. Scenery is the geographical setting of your layout. It’s the countryside and cityscape that your railroad will eventually run through. It can be as simple or as elaborate as you want. Hobby shops online and offline sell a huge selection of scenery products to make the job easy. These range from imitation groundcover and grass to rock molds, trees and shrubs to scenic backdrops. In the planning stage of your layout you would have thought about the era of your railroad and the location geographically. You may need to research this era by surfing the internet or visiting the library. Pay attention to the architecture of the buildings as this detail will add more realism. Find out what shrubs and trees are found in that geographical location. That way you can buy or make the correct trees and shrubs. Consider the season you are modeling in. Depending on your geographical location you may need flowers in spring and summer, colorful leaves in fall and even snow in winter. Trains have a purpose for being there. Real freight trains transport freight between industries, towns and cities. Passenger trains transport passengers between towns and cities. Think of your layout. Where will the station, tunnel or bridge be situated? Have you considered the crossings and having operational signals? Blinking lights and operational features on your layout add more life and the children love them. Working water towers, coal loaders, control towers, elevators and conveyors add a completely different dimension to model railroading. To build and operate a fully working scene, which gives the railroad a real purpose, is much more interesting and rewarding. You will find yourself taking more notice of the world around you. Have a close look at real life crossings and look for how the road joins with the crossing. Notice how the ballast is dirtier in the center of the rails compared to the outside. Notice the vegetation that grows close to the railroads. Notice how signage on buildings is placed and replicate all these findings on your model train layout. A great trick to create depth to your model railroad is with the use of mirrors. A road or track that butts up to a cleverly disguised mirror in your backdrop will give the illusion of the road and track continuing. A mirror behind a town, shunting yard or station can make it look it twice as big. Building a hill An exciting layout has to have a hill. Most beginners think that creating a hill is best left to the experts. They think that it is hard to make it realistic, when in fact it is quite simple and fun to build. The trick is in being observant. Taking notice of the world and its details will help you with your scenery. While you drive and walk around, look at the hills and notice where the grass is, where the rocky outcrops are, where the clumps of trees are, and what effect the shadows have. Taking note of all these features will help in creating your own realistic hill. A photograph is very handy to refer to when you are modeling, but sometimes details get lost in the photo. Hills can be created quickly by using a painted backdrop or a large digital print if you have a narrow book shelf type layout. However if you have a bigger layout you will need to create the hill. There are many materials that can be used to create hills. Foam, plaster, Hydrocal and paper maché are the common materials used. However there are many ways of achieving the effect you require. Some people prefer a hard shell hill. This is created with a light framework of cardboard strips stapled to your base, or wire mesh. This framework is then covered with newspaper and then covered with Hydrocal soaked paper towels. This forms a hard shell over the framework when dry. Another quicker and cleaner option is to use foam insulation. Foam insulation is available in sheets and in a few different colors. It can be bought from any hardware store, or from the dumpster at most construction sites. Builders throw out off cuts of foam insulation that is usually perfect for your model railroad. Just remember to ask before you take, in case the supervisor gets upset. The white ‘beadboard’ foam can also be used but is a bit more messy and not as strong. Foam insulation is a popular material for scenery. It is easy to use and inexpensive. A 4 x 8 foot sheet of 1 ½” thick foam insulation is a great size to cut and shape. The foam comes in many different thicknesses. The foam is best cut with a hot wire foam cutter, available from any hobby shop. Start with a piece of newspaper laid on your layout where the base of the hill is to be. Cut out the shape of the base of your hill. Transfer this newspaper template onto your foam and cut out with a serrated knife. It can be rough as you will finish the edges off later with the hot wire foam cutter.To add more height you need to add another level of foam. Cut the second level slightly smaller than the base. This will be the start of the gradient of your hill. If you need more height add another level of foam, until you get to the height you want. Each level can be held together with toothpicks until you have finished all the main cutting. When you are happy with the overall height and size the levels can then be glued together using liquid nails or something similar. Don’t glue the hill to your base, yet. It is much easier to sculpt it by removing it off the base. Once the glue is dry (at least 24 hours) you can then sculpt your hill. This can be done with a rasp, serrated knife and a hot wire foam cutter. Remember water runs off hills when it rains. This erodes the earth which causes small gullies. These small features will add to the realism of your hill. If you mistakenly cut a chunk out of your hill that you didn’t intend to, just glue it back! Once you have finished sculpting your hill you need to lay it loosely in its final position. Check the clearances around the hill, making sure the train won’t catch or rub on any part of the hill. If all is okay the hill can then be liquid nailed to the base in its final position. Once the adhesive is dry the hill can then be colored with an acrylic paint. But before painting use masking tape to cover up your tracks to prevent any unwanted paint drops on the rails. When coloring the hill give careful attention to where the earth spots are, where the grassed areas are and where the shrubbery and trees are. While the paint is wet the simulated grass and groundcover can be sprinkled over the wet paint. The paint acts as glue for most of the groundcover. Coloring your hill, and the technique involved in sprinkling fake grass and groundcover, is something that you will get better at with time. It is definitely a case of practice makes you better. Experiment with different shades of paint, and mixing different colors of groundcover to create your desired effect. Try using real dirt put through a very fine screen for earthy ground cover and coloring. When the paint is dry you can add more detail. Some extra paint here, more groundcover there, broken branches, clumps of grass and whatever else you think it needs. Let your imagination run wild! But don’t be scared! Often the most realistic hills have been painted and repainted many times. The extra layers of paint can actually add to the realism. Just keep trying… you’ll be amazed at what you can create. Wait for it all to dry again. As a final step you can flood your hill with a diluted white (wood) glue mixture. 1 part glue to 1 part warm water will give you a diluted glue mixture that will get into most areas and be a great final fix for everything on your hill. To finish off your hill you need to plant your miniature trees and shrubs, place the fences, or any other features you may have thought of. Readymade trees, kit trees and supplies for building your own trees can be bought online or at your local hobby shop. Brian Silby's Scenery Lichen (pronounced like-en) is another material that is available to create bushes and trees. Don’t think you need to buy everything from the hobby shop. Great effects can be created with kitty litter and sawdust mixed in a dye solution. You can create some stunning scenery inexpensively … it just takes imagination! Below is a great video 2 part series that shows how to create scenery for your model railroad. If you have been a model railroader for some time you will understand that the costs of model trains can add up very quickly. Model trains are the best hobby in the world, but if you are going to pay full retail price for everything you buy, it will soon become the most expensive hobby you have ever had! Here is how to save money on your model trains: 1) Make sure you know what you want If you have been a model railroader for some time you will understand that the costs of model trains can add up very quickly. Model trains are the best hobby in the world, but if you are going to pay full retail price for everything you buy, it will soon become the most expensive hobby you have ever had! Here is how to save money on your model trains: 2) Create half a layout A model train that takes up your whole basement looks very impressive, but the bigger your layout the more money you will spend. Often beginner model railroaders will see large and impressive layouts at their local model train club and want to build a similar sized layout. They usually do not have any idea what that large layout has cost the owner and how many hundreds of hours have been invested in building the system. Start off slowly with a half sized layout built against a wall. With clever use of backdrops you can make your layout appear twice as big as it actually is. A half sized layout is quicker to build and will provide any beginner railroader a good idea of costs and time involved. A half sized layout can always be pulled away from the wall and made twice or three times as big. 3) Buy 2nd hand A model train that takes up your whole basement looks very impressive, but the bigger your layout the more money you will spend. Often beginner model railroaders will see large and impressive layouts at their local model train club and want to build a similar sized layout. They usually do not have any idea what that large layout has cost the owner and how many hundreds of hours have been invested in building the system. Start off slowly with a half sized layout built against a wall. With clever use of backdrops you can make your layout appear twice as big as it actually is. A half sized layout is quicker to build and will provide any beginner railroader a good idea of costs and time involved. A half sized layout can always be pulled away from the wall and made twice or three times as big. 4) Trade with other railroaders Model train clubs are great places to swap or trade model train equipment. Often railroaders do not want cash but they may want what you have. It does not mean that you have to swap a diesel locomotive for a diesel locomotive, you could trade your skill in building a pond or painting their model train room. The ideas are endless and this can be a massive money saver. 5) Always spend your hard earned money on quality over quantity If you have the money and only want new equipment than you absolutely must buy quality over quantity. Locomotives can cost hundreds of dollars and it can be tempting to buy a locomotive at the lower end of the price scale. Manufacturers have become very good at producing lower priced locomotives that are well detailed and look good. However they lack in their inner workings. A common mistake is to say you will upgrade later, because the initial money you spent will be wasted. Once you experience quality equipment you will never use the low quality stuff again. 6) Make it rather than buy it Model trains will teach skills that you never had before. From working with electrics to creating rivers and ponds to building landscapes and so much more. It is this skill set that you develop that makes model trains the best hobby in the world. Every part of model trains can easily be learnt by buying an ebook, a book or asking your model train club. So make it before you buy it. Buildings can be bought in kit form but it is so much more fun (and cheaper) creating the structure from scrap wood, beads, glue, paint and other bits and pieces. 7) Keep a journal and budget
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