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How to Build a Wooden Train on Your Own for Cheap

A fine wooden train can be built using pieces of wood trim and dowels. Soft woods like pine and mahogany are easy to work with, while harder woods like oak or maple will be more durable in the hands of an active child. Most of the materials required can be purchased at a local hardware store. Wheels can be purchased at a hobby shop, or made at home with a 3/4-inch auger bit on a power drill. The train can be painted, stained or varnished before or after the final assembly of the pieces.

Things You'll Need

Wood trim (3/4-inch square)
Thin wood (1/8-inch by 1 inch)
3/4-inch dowel
1/4-inch dowel
Wood wheels (3/4-inch diameter)
Rivets (1/8-inch diameter)
Eye hooks
Wood glue
Wood clamps
Needle nose pliers
Coping saw
Power drill
Sand paper

Instructions

The Train Engine
- 1
  Cut a piece of wood trim, 3/4 inch square, to a length of 4 inches with a coping saw to form the base of the engine.
- 2
  Cut a piece of wood trim, 3/4 inch square, to a length of 1 inch with a coping saw to form the engineer's compartment.
- 3
  Cut a 3/4-inch dowel 2 inches long with the coping saw. This will be the engine part of the locomotive. Run a file across the dowel lengthwise to give the engine a flat bottom.
- 4
  On the top of the engine dowel, drill a small hole, using a 1/4-inch drill bit, 1/8-inch deep and 1/4 inch from the front. Drill another hole 1/4 inch from the first hole. These holes will be for the smoke stacks.
- 5
  Cut two pieces of 1/4-inch dowel, each 1/4 inch long. These will be the smoke stacks. Apply glue to one end of each piece and put them in the holes drilled into the engine.
- 6
  Cut a thin wood piece 1/8-inch by 1-inch to a length of 3 inches with a coping saw. Put the round engine portion and the engineer's compartment, side by side, then place them on top of this flat piece. Beneath the flat piece, place the 4-inch base of the engine.
- 7
  Cut a thin wood piece, 1/8 inch by 1 inch, to a length of 1 inch with a coping saw. Then place this on top of the engineer's compartment to make a roof.
- 8
  Sand down any rough edges and then apply glue to all of the engine pieces and assemble them. Clamp them together with two clamps, one for the engine compartment side and the other for the rounded dowel engine portion. Let the glue dry overnight.
Train Cars
- 9
  Cut two pieces of wood, 3/4-inch square, each to a length of 2 inches with a coping saw for each train car you are building.
- 10
  Cut a thin piece of wood, 1/8 inch by 1 inch, to a length of 2 inches with a coping saw.
- 11
  Apply glue to the top and bottom of one 2-inch piece of wood. Place the other piece below it and the thin piece above it to make the roof. Clamp them together using a wood clamp. Wait for the glue to dry overnight.
Wheels and Connectors
- 12
  Drill two holes through the bodies, 1/2 inch from each end, and 1/8 inch from the bottom, using a 1/8-inch drill bit. Make sure the drill is straight so that the wheels are the same height on both sides of each car.
- 13
  Place a rivet in each wheel, then push the rivet into the holes drilled.
- 14
  Drill a hole into the front and back of each car and the engine, centered, and 1/4 inch from the bottom.
- 15
  Screw an eye hook into the front of each car, so the hook is horizontal. Screw another eye hook into the back of each car so the hook is vertical. Then use a pair of needle nose pliers to open the hook on the front of each car.

Childrens Toys