How to Build an HO Scale Model Railroad

Measure the space available for the train layout and scenery, and create a diagram on paper that outlines the track line, landmarks, town and other features you plan to add. Determine if the layout will be placed at floor level or higher.

You will need sawhorses if you plan to elevate the layout. The number of sawhorses and pieces of wood you will need depends on the size of the layout. Attach the plywood to the sawhorses with screws so the layout doesn't fall to the floor if bumped.

Use green spray paint to cover the entire plywood surface. Even though most of the area will be covered with tracks, buildings and vegetation, the paint will camouflage any areas that are left exposed, until you have the time to cover them with other features or landscaping.

Lay the wiring. If you want lights in buildings and houses, along with street lights and railroad gate crossing arms that work, attach all the wiring on the underside of the plywood. Drill holes where you plan to connect the wiring to the lights and other electrical features. These features should have a separate power source and not be connected to the train transformer.

Create the desired track layout on the plywood by connecting all tracks and switches. With a black marker, outline the track line. Move the tracks from the outline, and spray paint the area that the tracks will occupy with a medium brown spray paint. This will duplicate the dark color of stones and dirt that are usually found between the ties of the tracks. Replace the tracks on the outlined area. You can choose to attach them to the plywood with small nails, or leave them unattached. They seldom move out of position if not attached to the plywood.

Build the town. This could include buildings for a downtown business district with a train station, homes or an industrial area closer to the tracks. You can build your own structures from wood and other materials, but this will take a lot of time. Another option is to purchase authentic-looking structures, usually made from plastic, from hobby stores.

Add landscaping. If you determine an area will have hills, you need to attach molding material first to the plywood. Over the molding you will apply the grass and trees. The molding can be made from old plastic bowls or other containers usually used for food storage. You can also make other shapes from plastic molds found in hobby stores. If you wish to add a train tunnel, you can make one in the same way, or buy a prefabricated one at the hobby store that you can blend into your landscape.

Add the final touches. This includes adding trees and bushes, stone walls, stones between the track ties and along the track bed, fencing, lakes and streams; populating the town with people, adding premade roadways and cars, and placing animals in a zoo. The people and animals are available unpainted or painted.