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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 …

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. …