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How to Build Model Railway Layouts

Model railroading is a fun and fascinating hobby. Beyond simply running toy trains, model railroading lets you be the engineer, track designer, architect, and city planner. There are many facets to the hobby, providing an seemingly endless supply of different ways to enjoy model railroading. You might try using HO scale track to build this model railroad layout. At 1/87th scale, HO is small enough to build a nice looking layout on an old door. The smaller scales, N and Z, will give you much more room, while the larger scales, O and G, will be cramped for space.

Things You'll Need

One 3'x7' hollow core door (dimensions subject to availability of door)
2 sawhorses
Model railroad track (scale to be determined by modeler)
Model railroad power pack
Model railroad locomotive (same gauge as track)
Straight-edge ruler
Pencil
Pushpin
3 feet of string

Instructions

- 1
  Support the door so that it lies firmly, face up. Use the sawhorses to support the door, making sure they are the same height.
- 2
  Use the straight-edged ruler to find the center of the width of the door's face. Mark this center mark near either end of the door. Mark the same distance in from the top and bottom of the door. There will be two resulting marks: each equidistant from the sides and end of the door.
- 3
  Stick the pushpin into the equidistant mark and tie the string around it. Pull the string until it is one inch away from the edge of the door (use your ruler to make sure) and mark it. Hold a pencil against the mark on the string and draw a curve around the end of the door. Repeat this process for the other end.
- 4
  Connect the ends of the two curves by drawing straight lines from one to the other, using the straight-edge to help you.
- 5
  Lay the model railroad track down along these lines, connecting the pieces together following the manufacturer's recommendations. The end result will resemble a large oval, with equally sized curves on either end.
- 6
  Connect the power pack to the rails following the manufacturer's recommendations. Place the locomotive on the rails and test it.

Model Railroads