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How to Make Easements for Model Trains

Model railroading is a popular hobby, and one of its most attractive aspects is the opportunity for the hobbyist to incorporate unique features into his layout. An example of such a feature is an easement. In the real world, an easement is a legal arrangement granting access across a property by the owner to another party, such as a utility company. This often involves cutting a swath across a forested area and installing power poles. This is a task the model railroader can avoid altogether through simple planning as the layout is being created and built.

Things You'll Need

Scale model utility pole kit
Scale model trees

Instructions

- 1
  Determine in advance where your easement will be located. One example of a location could be between the side of a mountain and a small group of buildings on the opposite side of your train table.
- 2
  Install several rows of properly scaled artificial trees in two groups running parallel to each other. Maintain an open space between the two groups which does not vary in width. Viewed from above, this is exactly what a utility easement looks like as it is being cleared of vegetation, except that you won't have to "cut down" any trees. Simply don't place any there to begin with.
- 3
  Install the scale model utility poles down the center of the open space between the trees. Space the poles at equal distances, as they would be spaced in the real world.
- 4
  Continue installing trees and utility poles until your utility easement is completed.

Model Railroads