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The planning phase is one of the most exciting parts of designing a model railroad. Planning allows you to flex your creativity and ingenuity as you pick out the trains, terrain, and scenery elements that will make your project come to life. Here’s what to remember as you choose a theme for your model railroad.Project PurposeBefore you get too far into the planning, you’ll want to consider why you’re taking on this project. Do you have a particular train that you’d like to build a railroad aroun …

Any model train enthusiast has their favorite pick of scale, but for most hobbyists, the HO scale locomotive comes in first place. The HO scale ranks as the most popular model railroad scale worldwide and with sound reason. The two primary advantages of the HO scale include convenient sizing and intricate designs. The HO scale trumps other scales because of its versatility and wide array of manufacturers, but these aren’t the only reasons hobbyists prefer HO scale locomotives. Keep reading to di …

Since the late 19th century, the model train car has evolved into a variety of sizes, shapes, and styles. If you’re beginning your model railroading journey, you’ll discover model train car types are distinguished by scale and gauges. When model trains entered the market, there was no standard size, which led to manufacturers producing a system of train scales. These common model railroad scales provided a standard for model trains and made it easier to operate different models on the same track …

Model railroads have gifted hobbyists with the opportunity to recreate American railroading for over a hundred years. Building a model railroad provides insight into the engineering mechanisms of trains and the tracks they wheeled on throughout US history. Any hobbyist can justify having a model railroad as being a fun pastime. But the benefits of owning a model railroad range from being educational to developmental in a variety of real-world skills. Explore the advantages of having a model rai …

Railways play a significant role in history, but they weren’t always the powerhouses they are today. From their inception as steam engines in the 1700s to the modern-day high-speed rails, a quick overview of the evolution of rolling stock can shed some light on railway history. Origins With Steam EnginesUsing high-pressure steam to act on a piston, Scottish inventor James Watt, along with his employee William Murdoch, created a small-scale engine, the precursor to the locomotive engine. Richard …

Getting into model trains can be quite the experience, whether you want to have a small setup or dive into larger-scale staging areas. That said, it’s essential that when you get into the hobby, you keep some of the most common misconceptions about model railroads in mind. You don’t want to find yourself in over your head!Some newer hobbyists commit to certain locomotive designs that they later regret or set their sights on a specific look for your layout that ends up not working out. As you div …

The model railroad hobby has an intimidating barrier of entry, especially when so much of the electrical equipment requires expertise and a deft hand to set up. Many hobbyists are very welcoming and want to encourage newcomers to the community, ourselves included, so allow us to give you a head start with some insight on how model railroad train track currents work.Direct vs. Alternating CurrentThere are two kinds of power you’ll see used depending on the scale of your model trains. Due to N and …

Model railroaders invest significant energy, time, and expenses into their craft. It’s typical for a model railroader to develop a collection of structures, from N scale model trains to HO rolling stock and other scenery materials from each project. When it’s time to showcase your models or there’s excess supply from a layout, it’s important to properly store your train models to preserve their quality. Explore these essential tips for storing your model trains properly to maintain the quality o …

For newcomers to the hobby, model railroads may seem overwhelming with how many options and scales there are for you to choose from. However, things start becoming much clearer once you understand that the HO scale and N scale are the two most widely used scales for model trains. While the HO scale is marginally more popular, here are some of the benefits of buying N scale model trains instead.Maximizes SpaceThe primary benefit of N scale train engines and their associated accessories is that th …

One of the most difficult steps in creating a model railroad is the planning and drafting phase. While it may seem overwhelming, the planning phase is perhaps the most crucial as it ensures you don’t encounter issues down the road. Read these tips for planning your model train layout to help you start and commit to your plans.The BasicsLet’s start with the basics. It’s always good to keep in touch with the foundational aspects to ensure your plan covers all your railroad’s needs. The first thing …