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With so many opportunities to see family and eat delicious foods, the holiday season has a unique and joyful ambiance. Decorating for your favorite holiday helps to make the season even more special, bringing that holiday joy into your life for many weeks instead of just one day.Why not decorate this year with a very special holiday arrangement, like a winter wonderland model train layout? You can make it a solo project, or grab your friends and family and build it together. Check out our tips f …

As you start to get serious about model railroading, you’ll no doubt have to make a decision about which era of train history you want to focus on. After all, it would hardly make sense to run a nineteenth-century train around a layout set from the 1950s. Consider the four periods of train history to help you determine which model railroad era is right for you.The Early Years, 1860–1920This era saw the invention of the steam locomotive and its adoption as a significant system of transportation. …

Building a model railroad alone can be a lot of work, so why not let your family help? Working together on a train layout requires lots of communication and teamwork, plus it offers parents opportunities to teach kids about patience and hard work. Check out these five reasons why your family should start a model railroad.Be Creative TogetherOne of the most fun things about model trains is that there’s no limit to your creativity. Kids love putting their personal stamp on everything, and there’s …

Whether you’re just getting started in model trains or you’ve been a hobbyist for years, it can be difficult switching to a new scale. Many people immediately notice that scales take up different amounts of space, but there are also other considerations. Discover the differences between N scale and Z scale model trains below.What Is Scale?In case you’re still unsure what scale means, here’s a good way to remember it. Scale is the size ratio between a real train car and a model, measured from end …

Building a model railroad is a long process but one where the journey is part of the fun. However, there’s nothing more disappointing than building an amazing layout only to run into connection problems. Follow this quick guide to maintaining your model railroad to keep your trains running smoothly.Keep Your Tracks CleanMost of the time, when you have a connection problem on your track, your track or your train’s wheels are dirty. To clean the track, you need a device called a “track eraser” tha …

One of the best parts about model railroading is that there are so many ways to personalize your experience with the hobby. However, all those choices between train lines, scales, gauges, historical periods, and power systems can be daunting for newcomers. Thankfully, there’s an easier way to get started with model railroading: the model train set. Learn why sets are such a great deal for starting out in the hobby and how to choose the best model railroad set.Why Start With a Train Set?When you’ …

If you’re new to model trains, you’ve probably heard the terms “gauge” and “scale” without knowing precisely what they mean. Essentially, both terms refer to the different sizes of trains and tracks, though they measure different parts. Here’s everything you should know about N scale model trains, which are one of the world’s most popular scales.Measuring Model TrainsThere are two ways of measuring the size of your model trains: measuring the size ratio between the model and the real train or me …

Choosing a layout is one of the most important steps when planning a new model railroad. You must account for the scale of the train, the size of the diorama, and any special features that you plan to include before you start building. Whether you’re new to the hobby or an old pro looking to change up your layout preferences, we’ve provided a list of the different types of model railroad layouts to inspire your next project.Basic Track LayoutsThere are only four types of model train track layout …

Like any hobby, it can take a while to learn the ropes with model trains and feel comfortable with what you’re doing. Unfortunately, simple mistakes can sometimes dissuade people from persevering until they get it right. To make things easier, here are five mistakes to avoid when building a model railroad.1. Not Enough Space Between Junctions and CurvesOne mistake people often make is not leaving enough room between junctions and curves in their tracks. A junction is where rail routes either con …

Model trains are an exciting hobby with a long and fascinating history. What began as an engineering tool quickly evolved into scale replication for personal collecting and enjoyment. Here’s a brief look at the history of model trains.The First Model TrainsSteam locomotives first appeared in the early 19th century, and became a major part of the world’s transportation industry by the middle of the century. At first, engineers created miniature versions of trains as tools for planning and designi …