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Light, sounds, and special effects can really elevate your model railroad. They also help you increase the degree of realism in the scene. Using lighting in their layouts can intimidate some people, so we’ve prepared a list of best practices to follow. Use our tips and tricks for lighting your model railroad for a fantastic finished look.Lighting Multiple LayersAre you in the process of designing a multi-layer model railroad? One of the problems with having multiple layers is that it’s hard to s …

So, you’ve built your layout, weathered your rolling stock, and laid down a perfect track. You switch your train on only to find it travels lethargically around the track like an elderly tortoise. The disappointment sets in, and you wonder what you got wrong. The good news is that a slow train could benefit from one of several well-known fixes. Read on to learn how to make your model train run more efficiently.Quick Tips for Fixing Train Speed Clean the train/trackCheck the power supply and ele …

As you start experimenting with building your own train layouts, you’ll probably want to add a bridge at some point. Bridges are incredibly versatile. Not only can trains pass over and under them, but you can use them as decorations in your landscape. Follow our quick guide to building a bridge for your model railroad.Getting IdeasIf this is your first time building a model bridge, we recommend looking up some pictures of real bridges in the style and era you want to build. Remember that bridges …

When you’re getting into any new hobby, there are a lot of things to learn. With model railroading, some mistakes can cause your trains to not run properly, which is a huge disappointment. Read these five common mistakes beginner model railroaders make to avoid major problems with your first layout.Using Train SetsPre-packaged train sets make great starter kits for people curious about model trains, so we’re not here to bash them. However, once you decide to build your first serious layout, it’s …

If you spend enough time in the model railroading world, you’re bound to hear mention of 3-rail trains at some point. As the name suggests, 3-rail trains have a third rail that runs down the middle of track pieces and helps power the train. Read on to discover the difference between 2-rail models and 3-rail models.It’s An O Scale ThingIf you’re working with 3-rail model trains, you’re likely building with O scale or O gauge trains. This is because larger trains needed to run on three rails in th …

Decorating your model train landscape is half the fun of model railroading. In addition to the standard landscapes, trees, and water effects, you should consider adding a few structures to create more visual interest. Structures also allow you to tell a story with your design. Discover five model train structures to include in your layout.Water Towers and WindmillsThough water towers and windmills serve different purposes, they have a similar function in model railroading: they’re tall. Tall str …

If you have a model train enthusiast in your life, you’ve probably noticed that the hobby requires a lot of different tools, parts, and paints. That should make buying gifts easy, right? Well, it might not be easy if you’re not into the hobby; for example, do you know which scale your model train lover uses? To make things easier, we’ve compiled a list of five unique gifts for model train enthusiasts that don’t require knowing too many specifics.Decorative SignsSigns for different train lines ar …

Pre-painted model trains have come a long way since companies first started releasing them. However, using model trains right out of the box can look a bit strange. After all, real trains rarely have perfect paint jobs. To add another dimension of realism to your model railroad, you should consider weathering your trains. Check out our quick guide to weathering model locomotives below.What Is Weathering?In the world of model and miniature painting, weathering is a technique in which you add pain …

When you’re new to the model train community, you might not realize just how many types of cars exist. If you can think of something to ship by rail, there’s probably a special type of car for the job.Part of the fun of building model trains is the storytelling aspect, where you decide what kind of train to make, given the time and place you are modeling. A WWII-era military train will have very different cars from an agricultural freight train from the 1980s Midwestern United States. Check out …

One of the challenges to getting started in model railroading is learning the terminology. You may think that these different terms don’t matter, but you’ll quickly change your mind when you end up ordering the wrong thing. In this post, we’ll go into the difference between a train and a locomotive.All About LocomotivesLocomotive is a word that traces its roots back to Latin: loco (from a place) plus motivus (moving). In other words, a locomotive is something that “moves from a place.” Specifica …