You should also think about joining model train clubs in order to learn form other members and enthusiasts. Often you can buy trains, track and other accessories from them for a good price. The price that you want to pay is the first consideration, as well as the space that you have available to build in.

If you have limited money then you need to look for discounted prices. As such, you can find old collectors that may be unable to continue, have passed away or want to sell their collections. You can often find these people in newspaper adverts, on auction sites, or advertised in model train clubs.

If you are able to find these old collections then you can get a great again. Otherwise, you can choose to buy all your trains and track brand new. This is a nice way to build your collection but it is going to cost you a lot of money.

The next thing you need to think about is the space that you have to build in. If you have a large space or room in your house then you are set. Also if you have a garden that you can use, then you may want to opt for the garden railroad scale trains. This is a luxury that most hobbyists simply don’t have.

In order for most people to keep building their model train tracks, then need to think of new innovative ways to expand. This can be done but it requires a certain level of skill and planning. You need to know the basics of track building and also have the skill to execute your plans.

You can think about adding more ovals, curves and bends into your track. You can also have two-tier track layouts in order to maximise your space. Another idea is to use straight track to replicate a train station. This is often the most difficult type of model train track to setup, as it requires skill to allow the trains to change direction.

Still, with practice and planning you can certainly achieve these results and ensure that your train collection keeps growing. You can also have great fun within a small area. If you have very limited space then you should think about using the smaller scales of trains and track. Use the N scale.

The N scale is very popular because of the details that are given to every locomotive. The result is very life-like and realistic. The trains also look great when they are running around the track.

As you can see, there are many options for expanding your model track within the space you have. You just need to be creative and use some imagination and skill.

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If you are new to the hobby then you are best to stick with the oval model train track arrangement first. This will allow you to build it quickly and get a feel of what’s involved in the constructing process.

From here, you can see your trains and locomotives running around the track while you envisage the next creation. Many people move from the oval to a covered oval next. This is really the next logical progression from the oval. You simply need to find more track as well as some scenery to add to your current layout.

The covered oval is known as the most popular type of model train track. It is very simple to build and once you have some experience, it should be well within your capabilities. Many people like to stick to a covered oval for many years, while simply adding and expanding small sections of the track.

It is sometimes best to do this as you make your track larger. While some people like to start from scratch and design a completely new and original model train layout, others play it safer. They keep the covered oval and simply add extensions to it where needed. This means you can always have some trains running while you add and test out other possible features that you have been thinking of.

The covered oval looks far more realistic that the simple oval and you can add a lot more scenery. For example, you might want to create urban scene, or a courtside scene. You may want to add mountains, rolling hills or something else entirely.

You can easily do this as you have the basic oval already in place. The only drawback of the covered oval is the obvious costs involved. It can be quite expensive to buy all the scenery you need in order to create a great looking model train track layout.

However, if you are able to get some scenery for friends, or find it in a discount store then you are in luck.

From here you can move to the straight model railway layout. This is very hard to create and design correctly as you will have to be able to turn the trains and locomotives around at some point. The huge benefit of the straight track is that you have a very realistic setting and you can keep space to a minimum (as long as you have a long room).

I would not advise creating the straight model railway layout unless you have enough experience with model trains. Keep it simple to begin with so that it fits your needs but stays within your current skill level.

There are so many model train layouts you can create, so keep your eyes open and look online, in the magazines and at exhibitions. Once you gain experience you can move to creating themed layouts.

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Model railroad track cleaning is a very tedious project. Every nook, cranny, and connective rail needs to be cleaned, aligned, and checked for wear and tear. Dirt and dust seem to be the biggest offenders when it comes to a track that isn’t functioning as it should. If you have a brass rail, then the possibility of oxide forming on the track is also a factor where the electrical current is hindered. That is why nickel-brass is recommended due to the oxide being a conductor of electricity and thus not interrupting the functioning at all.

If you are prepared to clean the track yourself, understand that you are in for quite the project. Cleaning the track takes some serious elbow grease, but there are some things you can do to make it easier for you. The first cleaning method is to purchase or make your own cleaning car. These cars can either use a dry abrasive wheel or pad, or a wet pad that removes the dust and dirt. Most hobbyists use both when completing track maintenance. The wet car uses a cloth moistened by track cleaning fluid, while the dry car trails behind. It’s an effective method when cleaning and a good way to keep from any further issues happening.

If your track appears to be extremely dirty or hasn’t been used for quite some time, then you may have to use an abrasive cleaning block to get it running properly again. You’ll have to rub the block along the track paying close attention to the turns, points, frogs, and other tracks in those areas. Do not use sandpaper to clean the track. It is too abrasive and may cause grooves that will later collect more dust and dirt. After you use the block, run a cloth along the track to remove any residue that has accumulated. You may even wish to use a vacuum as well to ensure there are no lingering dust and dirt particles laying on the track.

The key to any model railroad track cleaning is to keep it from becoming dirty in the first place. By isolating your layout from areas where there is a lot of dust or dirt accumulation, it significantly makes the cleaning process all that much easier. Keep windows closed, and insist that smokers refrain from doing so when near your rails. Install ceilings if the setting your layout is in doesn’t have one. These simple precautions will keep your train running smoothly, and allow you to enjoy it for years to come.

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Before buying any model train track, you will need to know what kind of train scale you will be purchasing. The gauge track you will be buying depends solely on the scale you are purchasing. If you buy a track, which is for a different scale train, you will not be able to properly operate your train. Chances are, you will not even be able to roll the train on the track if it is the wrong size. Either the wheels will be way too narrow or way too wide for the track itself. Matching the scale to the gauge is very easy, as they will usually both have the same designation. A G scale train will generally go with a G gauge track.

Most people still prefer to buy a model train track, which snaps together. These tracks are widely available by many different manufacturers. The track will be laid over a plastic base, which will automatically ground the track allowing you to safely operate your train. These tracks are sold with the appropriate energy hook-ups you will need to be able to send your model train around the track. A great design feature of these prefabricated tracks is the artificial gravel, which is a part of the plastic base along with the ties. This gives your track a realistic look. The problem with the snap to track is you have little control over the angle of the turns.

Flexitrack is a very good model train track for the model railroader who is looking to create realistic tracks for their models to run on. Being able to bend the track to suit your needs allows you to create the slightest to the most dramatic turns depending on what you need. You will still be able to snap the track together which allows you to easily determine the length of track you need for your particular layout.

The more serious model railroader will choose to lay their own model train track. This is an option not picked by many of the more casual hobbyists, as it requires precise measurements and a steady hand. Most hand laid track is done by professionals and model train clubs as a group project. It is not recommended for the beginner as there are many different safety precautions that need to be taken into consideration. For those who are up to the challenge, there are kits available to help you on your way.

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Some very useful online tools including free software to design your own railroad model layout; search for it – it is even fun to use. You can also do it the “old fashioned” way, using pencil and paper with a compass for curves and a ruler for straight-aways. Keep in mind that no matter how exact you are in your design, when it comes to laying the materials, some adjustments will always be necessary.

You can also design your layout right on location, placing track pieces and switches loosely in place to get a feel for what it will look like. You can move things around until you have it exactly the way you want it. This is known as “going free-lance.”

It’s helpful to deliberately leave openings for later changes and additions. Leave some space for a train yard you might be able to add later, or other details you might not have the time or money for in your railroad model right now. This makes for a rewarding, multi-stage project, growing in complexity over time.

There are several different types of yards you can add. A “hump” yard has a gentle slope with an uncoupler, allowing uncoupled cars to gently roll away from the mainline. A staging yard is a section of track deliberately hidden from view, where you send your trains to wait. It’s useful to simulate long-distance runs, or simply for storage purposes.

One important guideline to keep in mind is the minimum radius for your turns, which in HO scale model trains is 18 inches for 4 axle diesels and 22 inches for 6 axle diesels. As a general rule, things will look and work best with 24 inch radius turns. For a full circle, this means 48 inches diameter, so you will need slightly more than a 4 foot wide space for such a layout.

Another important guideline is the maximum grade, which for HO scale model trains is 4%. What this means is that you should take 100 horizontal inches to rise 4 vertical inches. And that’s a maximum. Try to keep hills somewhat less steep than that. And test your engines to find out what they can handle and how many cars they can pull up that grade you’re creating.

To simulate greater height, instead of creating a steep climb for the rails themselves, drop the ground level underneath. You can create some breathtaking gorge and valley scenery, or even just send a road or another track underneath.

For getting started with your first layout, it’s probably best to stick with sectional track, which is fairly easy to snap together. More advanced modelers of HO scale model trains prefer to construct their layout from flex track. It comes in bundles, so it’s generally cheaper, and, as its name implies, it is a very versatile option, with greater opportunity for customization. It will make your railroad model look good. You can create small, brief curves with more natural lead-ins as opposed to being restricted to standard radii and straightaways in the snap-together sets.

A final point to consider in your design is to be sure you will be able to get to all parts of the finished layout for maintenance purposes. Some advanced modelers constructing larger layouts will even make “access hatches”, large holes covered by a movable portion of scenery, where they can come up from beneath and actually stand in the middle to work on those less accessible portions. Be sure the opening is large enough to comfortably stand and move around in. The scenery on the removable section should be light and durable for ease of handling. You may also want to create a screen of trees or some other visual obstruction in front of the removable section.

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The ‘N’ stands for nine, which means the 9mm, the distance between the inside of the tracks. These tracks are small, and many of these train layouts will fit in a rather small space.

It is also a good size if you are thinking about running long strings of cars, since the train cars will be lighter, they will use less electricity. You could read about all the different train rail gauges, and there are plenty of great, highly detailed specifications, drawings, and layouts.

If you are a beginner, or just a casual hobbyist you don’t have to get so technical. You do want to learn the basics the scale letter also give what standard gauge it is. Your most popular scale, HO, has a track width of 16.5mm, or 5/8th of an inch.

There may be other gauges for HO, but they will be clearly defined, like ‘HON3.’ This means that it is HO scale, but has a narrow gauge, and the track gauge is three scale feet wide, rather than the standard real life gauge of 4′, 8″ long.

Sounds really confusing doesn’t it? Don’t worry about that as long as you are sticking to standard scales.

The only time you may have to deal with this more is when you start getting up into larger model train track gauges, for ¼ of 1/8 scale model trains. This is really where you have to start dealing with heavy, weight bearing tracks.

When you first get your kit or set and want to set up your track design, it is a good idea to open the individual pieces, lay them out on your work surface, and look at the instruction manual. Look at the different designs they have included and lay out the tracks, without attaching anything as of yet.

You will want to make sure that the tracks lay flat, and don’t have any warps in them. Check that the connecting ends are in good condition, and that the switch controllers function smoothly and will fit snugly together.

If you are a beginner, you should be using EZ-Track, or Tru-Track, so these parts should all just snap together. Now before you hook up anything else, you should make sure you are using a clean sturdy flat surface, even if you are just putting it together to make sure it works.

Now no matter what kind of system you use, you will have terminal joiners that will have to have wires connected to them. While some Lionel sets include three rail terminals, most common ones have only two.

It is a good idea to just use the standard screws that come with it, even if you plan to permanently connecting them. For convenience, many new sets just ‘plug in,’ meaning you just strip the ends of the wires and put it in the plug, no muss no fuss.

For obvious safety reasons, make sure that everything is unplugged before you start working with the electrical aspects of laying track. Then you’re ready to go.

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You’ve got your benchwork up and your topographical foundation set.  Are you ready to get down to the nitty-gritty of deciding on your train route?   It’s time to lay some track and wire ‘er up!

Wow!  Just where do I begin?  For the first year or so of your hobby, you may find it much easier just to buy tracks than to scratch build them.  (Yes, those truly devoted to this hobby actually build their own!) And that’s fine.  The point of this hobby — and any hobby for that matter — is to simply enjoy yourself.

As a newcomer to the subject, jumping in with both feet, trying to do everything at one time — build tracks, scenery, even cars — may be a bit too overwhelming.

Many people prefer just purchasing products — all their products, including scenery and other structures — and just enjoy the locomotive and its cars.  And you know, that works for me!

But if I’m going to talk about tracks, I may have to, by necessity talk about manufacturers.  It just comes with the territory.  When I mention certain brands or models of tracks (as well as other products), please don’t take these to mean an endorsement of them in any way, shape or form.

As you progress in the pursuit of this leisurely pursuit, you’ll see what I mean — and you’ll discover some favorites of your own!

Talk to just about any veteran model railroader and he’ll (or she’ll) tell you in no uncertain terms:  good trackwork is essential to your operation.

In the next breath, they’ll probably start talking about some horror story of somebody – or even themselves when they first began — of trying to do a “quick start” at the hobby and laid their rail down quickly.

They soon discovered that they encountered derailments (trains falling off tracks). Locomotives and cars may have been damaged beyond repair in the process.  It’s possible even some of the scenery they worked so hard to build got damaged.
“Quick and haphazard” doesn’t work for the real life-size railroads and it certainly doesn’t work for your model either.

Makin’ Tracks:
What to expect

Before you even start, it’s best to know a little overview of the track itself, what’s it made of, what form you can expect to find it in when you buy it, the types and grades available to you.

Track, for the most part, is composed of one of four materials.  You find it in brass, zinc-coated steel, steel, and nickel sliver.   Of these, brass and zinc-coated are the most common, but some hobbyists swear by nickel silver.

Brass is a good conductor of electricity, but the care and cleaning associated with it tends to be a bit overwhelming sometimes.
For on thing, the oxide that forms on it is a poor conductor.  That tends to inhibit the optimal working of the train.

In order to keep the train in running condition, you need to clean the rails frequently with track cleaning block.  The other way to remove the oxidation is to keep running your cars over them.

The zinc-coated steel also has more than one disadvantage.
When the zinc coating wears away (as it eventually will), it leaves the steel exposed.  Yes, you can see the problem right away: steel definitely rusts.

While nickel silver is not quite as good as conductor of electricity as the others, its residual oxide works every bit as well as a conductor as its original coating, providing you with reliable, consistent track no matter what the circumstances.  Go figure!

Bringing your first set home

When you buy your first model railroad, you’ll notice that the layout of your set is not . . . well, terribly imaginative.

For the most part, your initial model comes with a circular layout.  Perfect for under the Christmas tree, but a little boring to watch for any length of time outside of Christmas morning!

Before you bring this set home, though, you may wan to give some thought to where you’ll be setting it up in your house (yes, other than the under the tree!)

Your circular set, if it’s an S gauge will probably be, once laid out, about 40 inches in diameter.  This means you should plan on a space about this size.

Now you could place your set on the floor to start, or you could put a large piece of plywood on a tabletop to get you started. The choice is yours………….More on  Jonah’s book “Ultimate Comprehensive Guide to Model Train Building”.

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