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How to Build HO Scale Model Railroad Layouts

HO scale trains are realistic-looking models that are small enough not to need a tremendous amount of space. An HO scale layout can be a simple oval on a sheet of plywood or a multilayer enterprise with a dozen track lines that takes up an entire basement. The most basic steps in creating a layout remain the same regardless of the size and complexity of your project. Once you have determined the track pattern and the features you want, bringing your layout to life is a reasonably methodical endeavor.

Things You'll Need

Measuring tape
Markers
Power saw
Plywood
2-by-4 boards
2-inch screws
Drill with boring bits and driver bits
Sheets of extruded foam insulation
Track with straight, curved and feeder tracks with leads
Model rail bed
Rail nails
Tack hammer
Model railroad ballast
White glue
Water
Liquid dish soap
Power supply for track
14-gauge insulated track wire
Newspaper
Masking tape
Plaster cloth
Acrylic paints with brushes
Model railroad scenery

Instructions

Building the Bench Work
- 1
  Measure your available space to determine what size railroad you can accommodate.
- 2
  Mark your plywood with markers to define the proper size for each piece and cut with a power saw.
- 3
  Cut 2-by-4 boards in lengths to match up with the borders of your plywood sections, and screw them into place flush with the edge of the plywood to form an edge around the underside of the plywood.
- 4
  Cut 2-by-4 boards to uniform lengths to serve as legs for the table, and screw them into the corners and along the edges to support the structure.
- 5
  Cut 2-by-4 boards to fit under the table for support bars, and screw them into place.
Laying the Track
- 6
  Cut pieces of extruded foam insulation sheeting to match the surface of the table, and screw or glue into place to serve as a cushion for the tracks and to reduce sound on the table.
- 7
  Mark the outer and inner edges of your track placement according to your track plan. It is useful to physically lay the track out as you go.
- 8
  Lay down the model railroad bed in the pattern you have marked, securing with white glue and rail nails as you proceed, trimming as necessary.
- 9
  Lay track sections in place over the rail bed, and tack it down with rail nails, including feeder tracks to receive wires from the power supply.
- 10
  Drill holes near the feeder tracks through the foam and wood, thread your wire through the holes, and attach the wires to the track and power supply.
Completing the Layout
- 11
  Mix a small amount of white glue in water at a ratio of 1 part glue to 3 parts water; put in a couple drops of liquid dish soap to break surface tension and allow spreading.
- 12
  Drop a small amount of railroad ballast on the tracks and flatten with your fingers, and then drip the glue mixture over the ballast and allow to harden.
- 13
  Crumple newspaper to form terrain; hold in place with masking tape before covering with plaster cloth.
- 14
  Paint the terrain with earth tones using acrylic paints.
- 15
  Position model structures, foliage, and other features on the board, and glue into place.

Model Railroads