Hobbies And Interests
Things You'll Need
Instructions
Determine which scale of model trains is most appealing to you. If space restrictions are a primary concern, consider building a small portable model railroad in either HO or N scale. HO is the most popular scale, and its tight turning radius allows for building a train display layout on a 4-foot by 8-foot sheet of plywood. N scale is smaller than HO, and its diminutive size requires less space; a hollow-core door is a popular choice for building a lightweight and portable N scale layout.
Keep it simple, yet interesting. Building a basic oval shaped railroad does not require much time or space, however watching a train circle endlessly around a small loop of track is not very interesting. Start with an oval track design to allow for continuous running, and then add curves and switches to create a passing siding, industrial sidings or a small yard. Expanding the basic oval increases the interest level of the model railroad while providing additional tracks for running trains or displaying engines and railway cars.
Use care when assembling the railroad track. Recent innovations to model railroading include sectional track pieces with an integrated plastic roadbed that snaps together, quickly forming a working railway with secure electrical connections. To ensure that the trains run smoothly, the National Model Railroad Association suggests positioning the track carefully and then attaching it securely to the display base. Avoid laying track with kinks and gaps or bumps and dips in the railway that can cause the model trains to derail.
Create a visual vignette. Adding scenery elements including buildings, streets, trees and scale-sized cars transforms a barren piece of plywood into interesting scenes. Model building kits are available from several manufacturers, representing industrial and residential structures. Select the kits and accessories that reflect a specific era, such as early 1900s through the 1950s to complement steam-power engines or modern structures for contemporary diesel engines. Add a few scale-sized people to bring the scenes to life.