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How to Build a Large Scale Train Set in a House

The largest model trains typically suitable for the home are built in G scale, built at a 1 to 20.3 ratio. The G in G-scale has traditionally stood for garden, but train enthusiasts have brought the garden train indoors, building detailed scenery that can be enjoyed year round. Successfully building a model of this size will require detailed planning due to the size of the models involved, and you'll need to devote a great deal of space to your large-scale model. The results of building a large-scale train set in the home can be amazing though, with far more detail possible than in smaller scales.

Things You'll Need

Train Benchwork
Extruded foam boards
Train track, G gauge
Electrical tape
2 mm. screwdriver
Wood glue
Drill
Wiring
Paints
Paint brushes
Scenery, G scale
Train remote
Model train, G gauge

Instructions

- 1
  Plot the design of your train set onto a series of graph paper sheets. Work at the same scale across the graphed layouts, using one sheet to plot the track placement, a second to plot wiring and a third to plot out the scenery element for your train set. After completing your design, take your tracks to the space set aside for your train and test the track layout on the floor, adjusting the design as needed to provide proper clearance between parallel tracks for passing trains, and to make sure that curves in the track are gentle enough to prevent derailments.
- 2
  Build the benchwork for your train. Due to the size of the scale, a traditional tabletop design is too small to hold more than a simple oval. To lay a more complex design you'll need to create your own train benchwork to hold the set. Build the benchwork to hold the full design of your train in 4 by 8 foot sections. Each bench should have at least a 1-inch thick plywood top, with cross braces beneath for extra reinforcement, and 2 by 2 posts for legs. Use a thicker top if your scenery will be especially heavy. Bolt together the separate sections for easy disassembly.
- 3
  Create a sub-roadbed for your train layout to place the track and scenery on and to create dips in for valleys, ditches or any sublayer terrain objects. Glue two or more sheets of extruded foam together and then glue them onto your table top. The number of sheets will vary according to the depth of the sublayer terrain features in your design. Along with adding feature elements the sub-roadbed aids in cutting down vibrations caused by the running train.
- 4
  Lay the train track onto the sub-roadbed according to the layout design, securing the track in place.
- 5
  Drill holes through the sub-roadbed and table for wiring. Place the wiring according to your plans, running the wires through the sub-roadbed by gouging lines in the foam using the screwdriver and running the wires through the lines from where the electrical elements need to be installed to the holes made through the benchwork, pulling the wires through the holes and stringing them underneath the benchwork to where the train set remote will be located.
- 6
  Assemble scenery models and paint them to prepare them for placement on your layout.
- 7
  Place the terrain elements of your train set into place. Work from the ground up when laying terrain. Begin with the grass and dirt, and work upwards with buildings, roads, mountains. Any depressed areas, such as valleys, can be cut from your sub-roadbed and terrain elements applied to the holes. Connect any wired elements, such as lights to the scenery as you place it.
- 8
  Attach the wiring to your remote switch, connecting them where needed, and then place the train on the track and begin running your large scale train set.

Model Railroads