And its not just the train that gets all the attention either, as your model railroad track plans should be carefully laid out and well thought of in order to fully enjoy the aesthetics of the hobby. But what’s the big deal right? You just buy them anyway, you can shorten or lengthen them anyway that you like. Yes that you can do, but if you are really serious about your hobby then you’ll know that its so much more than the buying and connecting process.

Where you put them, the overall look, the scenery that you are planning on will determine the amount of railing that you need, and for this you need accurate measurements. There is also another reason as to why you need to be careful with the placing of your railroad track; derailment. A wrong placement here and there can cause your model train to get derailed which can result to damage of your train as well as the structures that you have worked so hard to build especially if you have water scenery involved.

For starters, you have four types of tracks that you can choose from, it’s either brass, zinc-coated steel, steel and nickel silver of which brass and zinc coated are the most common. So, if you are looking for more durable materials for your tracks though it would be a good investment to consider getting nickel silver. In order to keep your tracks in tip top shape, you will need to clean them frequently with a track cleaning solution, either that, or you keep your trains running over them frequently.

Another important thing to keep in mind is the location of where you will be setting your model train. If you are only planning to place the train under your tree then you probably don’t need anything more than a few feet of track and a few structures. If you are planning something much more elegant though, you should have ample space, which can also mean that you should already have your model railroad track plans in mind.

Bachmann models come in various scales. Most model railroaders get N scale, HO scale, and O scales from them. For the benefit of new model train and railroaders the scale is the rate of how much the model has decreased in size when compared to its real life counterpart. Since model trains run on model tracks, tracks are usually specified according to scale. The tracks’ widths are called gauges, and the value of the gauge will always correspond to a model train. To give you a better idea, here are the scales, gauges, and short descriptions of what’s mentioned above.

N Scale: The N scale models are fairly small, but if put nicely, the hobbyist can capture a really good scenery. It permits large space layouts, and is mainly for railroad setups that focus more on the scenery and not the train itself. Advanced railroaders can put their energies more on the landscaping and the designing of the track. Think of it as looking over a railroad track while riding in a hot air balloon. The N scale is 1:16, meaning the miniature version is 16 times smaller than the real one. The track gauge is .353’’.

O Scale: O scales are more of the larger types of model trains. This doesn’t mean they’re not popular, because they really are! What makes them so popular is the amount of detail put in each train car, which is made possible due to the fact that they are slightly bigger than most models. The O scale is 1:48. The track gauge is 1.25’’. You can’t go wrong with the O scale, but there’s a little drawback to it – it’s expensive! With the economy in its current state, it’s not advisable to get an O scale just for your hobby if you’re a little short on cash.

HO Scale:  The HO scale is the most popular scale in the model railroading realm. This is because the models are not too big and they aren’t too small either. The models are highly detailed, visible on the track, and the layout doesn’t get overshadowed either. The HO scale is 1:87, with a gauge of 0.650’’.

These are just three of the most popular Bachmann model trains to date. Of course, Bachmann plastics may not be your thing, so you can always look to other model railroad manufacturers.

Scale: Scale is basically the size of the model train in comparison to a real one. The number is displayed as a proportional value such as 1:220, wherein the first number corresponds to the size of the model train and the second number refers to the amount of times larger the real train is than the miniature one. The example is of a Z scale model, thus the real thing is 220 times larger than the model. There are multiple types of scales, with the most popular being the HO scale. The HO scale is 1:87, so it is 87 times smaller than the real train. HO scales are perfect for a balanced layout with not too big yet not too small trains and tracks.

Gauge: Gauge is simply defined as the width of a track. Gauges can vary and may specifically fit a single scale. There are, however, model railroaders who were too advanced that they’re able to simply tweak their tracks a little and they can place a larger scale train. Normally, they can’t do that since a custom order can give the enthusiast a specific scale and a track to go along with it. For instance, the HO scale makes the real train 87 larger than its miniature replica. For HO scales, they have a designated track that has a gauge of 0.650’’. For another scale, say, 1:22, the gauge where it’ll run perfectly will be 0.257’’.

As you see, not being able to determine the gauge can render you model train useless until you can buy the right track with the correct gauge. I’m sure assembling your model train would be no problem, but as for the track, there is more than meets the eye. With your track, you’ll need to consider its height, how many switches you’ll need or want, re-railers, connections of the rail to the power source, and joiners that maintain a flow of electricity between track segments.

When setting up the tracks, be sure to include turns. I’m sure you’re not going to like your train moving in a straight line; regardless of how good looking your train is. After that, you can move to your track layout.

Now you’re all grown up and trains still fascinate you. You pick up a hobby – a geeky one, for some – and guess what? It’s all about trains. Of course, you go for model trains. But most of them these days are electric, and they do make you look geekier than they already do. If you have some money to spare, and you would like to make your miniature trains as close to reality as possible, then you can invest in a model steam train. Of course, you’re not going to be using real coal to generate real steam. The steam trains sold today are still electric-powered. They simply have these small containers to house the smoke and emit as the train runs.

Take note that model steam trains do not really come cheap. But what are the returns? Here are a few of them:

Lifelike: Most trains back in the day were coal powered. This is what trains have given them their identities and what sparks interests in people. Getting a steam model train gives your miniature railroad setup a nostalgic feeling as well as a sense of authenticity. If you already have a track where you’ve sculpted the best landscape, thrown in some accessories, designed houses and train stations, not putting a steam train in there can destroy the realistic feel. In contrast, having a bland setup can be remedied by a single steam train.

Unique: Okay, unique for a lack of a better word. You’re not entirely unique since other people do have steam trains as well, but you can separate your model railroad setup from those of other aficionados; especially your friends, if they have picked the hobby up too. Your track will have an identity of its own simply because your steam train gives life to your whole setup.

Bragging rights: For a model railroader, nothing beats the satisfaction of assembling your own landscape, your own tracks, and your own trains. Designing where the tracks go is even better. Combine your steam train with other vintages, and you’ll have a track you can truly be proud of.

One of the worst things that a model railroader will see is a model train too small that it can even fit into the door of the model house. Model train scales come in variety. Each scale is used for a different purpose, and you should know what you want in your model railroad. For instance, if you want to recreate a city in a small area, then you’ll need to work with lower scales. If you’re creative enough to run your railroad around your whole house, then you can go with larger scales. Scales usually read as proportions. For instance, 1:22 means the real thing is 22 times larger than your model.

If you’re an upcoming model railroader, then you’ve probably heard the word “gauge” more than once. This is because it goes hand in hand with model scale. Scales usually pertains to the model train, while gauge refers to the track. Basically, the scale is the mini version of the real thing in exact proportions while the gauge doesn’t necessarily need to be the miniature, yet exact proportion, of a real railroad. While scale is measured in proportions, gauges are measured in inches or in feet. The numbers that you get from a gauge value is the distance between the rails. For instance, we say “Scale is 1:22 and Gauge is 0.257’’”.

There are different reasons why railroaders pick up this hobby. Model train enthusiasts may enjoy making a miniature likeness of a particular city, complete with landscaping. Others may enjoy bringing life into a model railroad by making them complicated – putting in electric power posts, train stations, multiple railroads, caves, tunnels, and whatnot. Others, still, may focus on having a track run just below the ceiling to entertain guests. As these different purposes serve the hobbyist, different scales and gauges are needed.

The most popular type of model train scale is the HO scale. It is 1:87 and runs on a 0.650’’ track. A lot of model train enthusiasts love this due to its balanced size, making it ideal for a realistic landscape. If you are a beginner in model trains, this scale would be a good for you to start with.

The most popular size of the large scale trains is size O.  The scale for O is 1/48^th.  Meaning it is one 48^th the size of a regular sized train.  The gauge for O is 1 ¼ inches.  Many of these larger sized trains are used outdoors in gardens.  Of course this does not fill the needs of everyone in the train world.

The HO gauge is half the size of the larger O scale.  HO stands for “Half of O”.  The HO scale is 1/87.  HO trains use the standard size track gauge of 16.5mm.  HO scale is a popular size to use in layouts.  They are small enough to be able to use creative scenery with well-designed track plans in a reasonable amount of space.  But they are also large enough to be able to accommodate a great deal of detail in finer models.  They are also large enough for children to handle without the risk of small parts or tiny components being damaged.  With the HO scale being able to provide the balance between the detail of larger scales and the lower space requirements of smaller scales, it is a highly sought after railroad line by train hobbyists compared to other scales.

HO scale model trains first appeared in the UK during the 1930′s.  They were introduced as an alternative to OO scale.  But OO scale was already established in the UK and therefore HO scale had a hard time making any real commercial headway.  Luckily, the hobbyists of the United States high demand of a realistic based toy during the late 1950′s allowed the HO scale model trains to really take off throughout the 1960′s and continued right up to today.  More then two thirds of train lovers have ranked HO scale as their favorite train scale.

Due to the popularity of the HO scale, a huge array of locomotives, sets, accessories and rolling stock are made by many different companies.  Train lovers can find a large array of HO scale train sets with ready-to-run trains and modular track, craftsman grade kits, supplies for building models from scratch, and even high detailed limited-edition locomotive models made of brass.  Hobbyists will even go to the lengths of seeking out not only local hobby shop supplies, but look to global suppliers and foreign manufacturers to find that exact piece to complete their layout.

So if you have dreams of seeing a vast landscape with rolling hills or a small town and all of the things you think the towns people of your landscape will enjoy, the HO scale model trains are for you.  Awe your friends with watching your magnificent locomotive chugging down the track, winding through the hills and through a tunnel.  The HO scale model trains can make all of your dreams come true.

G scale model trains are large and are also commonly referred to as “Garden Railroading” thus the common use of term “G Scale.”  The letter “G” is also short for the German word groß which literally means “big” which coincides with its German history.  Just like other large-scale trains, G scale model trains will run on No. 1 gauge track.  The No. 1 gauge track is 45 mm between either rail.

It is their durability that makes them the perfect choice to be used in the garden or the outdoors.  G scale tracks are usually made of brass.  They require almost no maintenance from the owner.  The only thing that these big train lovers need to do is to give the track a single wipe of clean cloth and its set for operations once again.  The G scale model trains could be used for indoor purposed as well depending on the make up of the model train.

The best G scale manufacturers in the United States are Aristocraft and Bachmann. People love the benefits of a G scale model train because of its durability.  Parents can feel assured that their kids will be able to play with it and have a toy like this that will last for many years to come.  G Scale model trains are a great hobby for parents and children to enjoy together as well.  Parents can feel confident that their children can handle these trains although small children may lack the gentleness it takes to handle train scales of a smaller size like the N scale which is only about 4.8 inches in length and about 1.1 inches in height.

With the amount of time that model trains have been around, train makers have given us different size trains for every purpose. This includes the G scale model trains.

When folks are out to set up their vision of the perfect landscape with the perfect train running through it, they have to consider size.  Model trains and train tracks are made by many different people and used for many different things.  Luckily, with so many choices, you can find the one that is right for you.  In order to ensure any brand of train fitting on any brand of tracks, train makers make trains and tracks according to scale and gauge.  When the model train hobbyists are talking about the scale of the train, they are talking about the size.  Scale is exactly that, a scaled down replica of the life-size or the prototype train.  It is the ratio and the different letters assigned to the scales reflect the natural differences in ratio.

An N scale train is on the smaller side in comparison to other scale models.  In fact, it is the smallest of the four most popular scales.  The ratio is 1:160.  In other words a scale N train is one sixtieth the size of a real train.  N scale is a little over half the size of HO.  HO scale is 1/87.  This scale is preferred by individuals who don’t have a lot of room for their layouts or those who love expansive scenery.  While the n scale trains are intended to take up less space in model layouts they also have more detail then some smaller sizes.  Rail cars and supplies that are smaller will contribute to a layout size that is easier to maintain and easier to add onto later on.  Another advantage of using N scale trains is that the smaller the rail car and tracks, the larger and more beautiful the scenery will appear around them.

Unlike O scale, HO scale, and standard scale, some of which have been around for a full century, the N scale trains only came into prominence in the 1960s.  The name N scale stands for nine millimeter because it has a gauge of 9 mm between the rails.  Gauge refers to the size of the track on which the model trains operate.  It is a measure of the distance between the rails of the train tracks.  Code on the other hand refers to the height of the rail.

N scale model trains are just one of the many different aspects of building model trains and scenery.  It is entirely up to the train building to use whatever train size is best for them.  No matter what the size of the train is, the thrill is all the same.

The benchwork is the foundation of your railroad.  Train hobbyists have the option of buying an already made benchwork or building one for themselves.  Buying a benchwork kit has several advantages.  Benchwork kits are precut and predrilled.  Plus they are sturdier then a piece of plywood on two sawhorses.  Also, with a kit, you can take it apart to move it to a different location in the house or to bring it to shows.

Of course building your own benchwork is more complicated and takes more time but, you have the opportunity to achieve your perfect vision for your trains.  The first thing you will have to do is to create a design for your layout.  You’ll have to figure out how large you want your benchwork to be.  Consider if you will be adding on to it later on down the road.  How much room in your house do you have to place a train layout?  What shape are you planning for the top or your benchwork?  It can be square, rectangle, oval, or circular.  Typically the legs of the table are 28 inches but they can be altered to meet your designs specifications.  The most important thing in benchworking is making sure that your benchwork is solid and can withstand a certain amount of weight.  A good platform is a 3/8 inch or ½ inch thick piece of plywood.  If you would like your benchwork to remain portable, you can cut the plywood into several pieces before you assemble your benchwork.

Keep perspective in mind when you are building the actual model railroad scenery.  The goal is to make your layout appear larger than it is.  You can try using different levels of scenery to help with this.  Placing larger trees in the foreground and smaller trees in the background or on the tops of mountains helps with this illusion as well.  Your scenery should also reflect the theme your have chosen for your landscape.  For instance, if you are running a logging train on your line, it should be running through a rugged mountainous area filled with a ton of trees.  You can also place a sawmill or lumberyard close by.

Other aspects that you can have in your landscape are tunnels, grassy meadows, fields, rock formations, roads, and bridges.  You can also incorporate towns or villages filled with houses and buildings.  Plus, you should also add fine detail to your scenery.  Fine detail includes signs, telephone poles, fences, underbrush, bushes, flowers, hedges, people, and animals. A really nice touch is including bodies of water like ponds, rivers, streams or even waterfalls.

After all, isn’t one of the reasons we get into model trains is to be able to show off our artistic talent by building dramatic and lifelike landscapes?  So get to work and amaze your friends with your amazing talent.

What is it that drives men to play with “toys”?  It might be that they are enthralled by the thought of controlling something so powerful even though it is 1/87 of its size.  Maybe it is the puzzle of how trains work; the electricity running through the lines to make it run.  Perhaps it is because trains are so organized; only able to run on its track.  Or maybe it is the memories of seeing the train whistling around the Christmas tree every year that makes us want to relive it through our “toy” trains.  But the word toy is not accurate any longer when talking about model trains.  These toys have grown up into machines and are ready to play with the big boys.

Toy trains are usually the plastic ones that you find on sale while you are Christmas shopping.  They are low quality and priced as a great way to introduce kids to the hobby.  When boys grow up they are called men.  And when toy trains grow up, they are called locomotives.  Locomotives are made to last.  They are higher quality and many lack the “push it slightly to get it to move” feature like lower quality trains have.  Their wheels are made to make greater contact with the track in order to get a better connection to the electricity which will help to get it going.  They are the things that make model railroaders smile.  Plus, locomotives have stronger engines.  A stronger engine means greater pulling power.  A quality locomotive is also made out of metal rather then plastic like toy trains.  The weight of the train has a large effect on how well it works.  The heavier the train, the better it will make contact with the track and therefore, a better running train.

And if electricity wasn’t good enough, the wonderful makers of the model train industry offer steam engines for the little boys inside grown men.  Of course there are a lot of different quality trains on the market that offer steam but, there is nothing better then enjoying these trains with lifelike steam filling their scenery.

Very few boys get to grow up to be able to actually drive a train.  I’m sure that a lot of train drivers look at the work they do as a job rather then a little boy’s life long dream.  But, we don’t have to all grow up to be train drivers to fulfill our dreams.  We can indulge ourselves in the hobby that so many of us love; model trains.