How to Make a Rail Track

Decide on a setting for the rail track. The setting depends on the era of your model trains and the setting the track model is in. If you are not using a model track, determine if yours is in the country or city and what you want the surroundings to look like.

Determine the length of model rail track you have and where to set up the track. If you do not have a lot of space, consider using a mountainous setting that allows the train to travel upwards, instead of outwards.

Sketch the rail track on a piece of paper to visualize where everything goes. Include the major structures and any foliage as well.

Decide on what the rail track sits on. A simple yet effective option is a large piece of cardboard covered with a white sheet.

Lay the track base in the appropriate area and paint it according to your setting considerations. Shovel mounds of sand underneath the sheet to create hills and mountains, and then glue the sheet to the cardboard with a hot glue gun.

Lay the track onto the track base according to the space considerations and sketch of the rail track.

Cut out homes, buildings, bridges, trees and shrubs from cardboard. Make them three dimensional representations to give the model an authentic look. Paint the cutouts with the appropriate color and then glue them to the track base.