Detail is very important to most model railroaders, and N scale model trains allow a high level of detail to be achieved. These details are not only possible in the trains, but also in the layouts you create for you train to travel through. Many different pieces are available for purchase, which allow you to add in realistic looking buildings to your layout. Buildings such as cafes with details such as napkin holders make the layout appear as if it is a small town built right in your own home. This accounts for the large popularity of the N scale.

Weathering is something that has become popular with those who use N scale model trains. By adding stains and scratches to the trains, you are able to make the trains appear as if they have been affected by the conditions they would actually encounter. Trains in a cityscape would be darkened by smoke and grease while trains in a desert would be scratched by sand. Being able to make your trains fit in their environment is very important to keep with the realistic look of the layout you have created.

Those living in Japan have celebrated N scale model trains because of the ability to get involved in train modeling. Most Japanese home are very small and do not include a lot of room, but thanks to this ideal scale they are able to create such things as recreations of the bullet train. Many of those with a large disposable income happen to live in New York City where space is at a premium. This means a smaller model train is necessary in order to create something they can be proud of. Turning the extra room into Grand Central Station may take some time, but it won’t take a bigger home.

For some, space is not the issue, but N scale model trains are still the best option to choose from. The reason is because of the ability to create vast layouts without having to take up an entire warehouse. Those looking to make permanent displays for museums and schools have chosen N scale because it allows them to create something that is representative of the space they are trying to recreate. You will not have to cut corners as you build the layout of your dreams.

Originally posted 2009-11-16 11:36:38. Republished by Old Post Promoter

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There is a lot more to this hobby than just buying a couple of train toys to push around on a makeshift track. Instead, you need to consider everything from the materials from which the tracks are made to the locomotives, cars, wiring, power-pack components, and whether or not to purchase complete kits or buy each item separately.

One of the first things to consider is the scale. The most popular scales are O scale and HO scale (half-zero). O scale is 1:48 scale while HO is 1:87 scale. However, smaller and larger scale models are also available. The main consideration here is your availability of space. If you plan to fit your layout on a 4×8 piece of plywood, HO scale is a great choice for that. If you have more space and more money to spend, O scale is a great choice. There are lots of accessories available for either HO or O scale.

Another decision to make is whether to buy a complete kit or individual components. Kits are recommended for beginners because they provide the essential items at an affordable cost. The downside of buying individual components is it will cost more money and take more time to put it all together. However, for more serious model train hobbyists, buying individual components is recommended because it allows you to upgrade and customize your selections, making your set uniquely yours and totally awesome! Kits typically include standard quality items, which are okay for beginners but maybe not okay for more serious railroaders.

For the cars, as long as they are the same scale as your track, you really cannot go wrong. Buy the ones you like the best and have fun collecting unique and interesting cars.

One of the most important model train features is the track. Tracks have rail heads, which are made from three basic materials, brass, nickel-silver and steel. However, there are really just two choices here because brass is being phased out by most manufacturers and is already hard to find in hobby shops. The best and cheapest place to find brass track is in garage sales. So your remaining choices are nickel-silver and steel. Nickel-silver is the easiest to find and most commonly used. It is very popular because it is slower to oxidize, which means less maintenance and less cleaning. Steel has the advantage of looking the most realistic but it has the disadvantage of rusting faster and getting dirty faster. So if you want that awesome look that steel offers, you have to be willing to work harder for it.

When looking for track, look for a code on the track packages. This number relates to the height of the rail. The most commonly used track code is 100 on the HO scale. Model train enthusiasts often use lighter rails or those below 100 as an alternative to achieve a more realistic appearance.

Another important component is the locomotive. Here the choices are diesel versus steam engines. Steam locomotives are very fun because of the loud train sounds and smoke but are typically more expensive than diesel. Diesels are typically available as either 4-axle or 6-axle. Your choice here depends partly on the twists and turns of your track layout. For HO track, a 4-axle diesel requires a minimum track radius of 18 inches while a 6-axle diesel requires a minimum track radius of 22 inches.

Lastly, consider your electrical needs. You will not only need a power-pack but also wires to keep your train up and running. Different trains require different types of power. Most experts agree that HO locomotives pull between 0 to 15 volts DC at .5 or more amp, though adding extra amps is always a good investment. Invest in colored wires to make wiring that much easier. This helps you to keep track of positive and negative charges so that you can avoid a short.

What began as train toys can quickly become a far more serious but still very lovable model train hobby. This guide should help you get started so you can safely move past the serious issues and proceed directly into the fun times.

Originally posted 2009-12-26 10:38:20. Republished by Old Post Promoter

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Originally posted 2009-10-31 11:36:19. Republished by Old Post Promoter

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The S scale is about half way in between O and HO scale. It is characterized by a 1:64 ratio. The model is fairly large as far as model trains are concerned. Because of its size, it is fairly durable. It can handle being mistreated by those who not know much about model trains like children and beginners. The larger size allows the production companies to add more detail to the trains in order to boost the amount of realism as the train powers around the track.

The history of American Model Trains starts in Britain where the S scale first got its start. When it was created before the turn of the century, it was known as the H-1 scale in order to represent its size as half that of the #1 scale. The name was changed in 1937 when CD Models started marketing the track that would be suitable for use in the 1:64 scales. The last change in the name came when the American Flyer brand started selling steam-powered locomotives.

American Flyer Trains got its start as a toy model train company, which was bought by AC Gilbert in 1937. When the company first started selling the trains, they ran on a 3-gauge rail. In 1942, the company started producing a 2-gauge track that is pretty close to what is being used by the same scale trains today. The American Flyer Train business failed in 1967, but the Lionel Company bought the name in order to sell the same scale and using the tracks that the company designed. Lionel still sells the American Flyer brand in their catalogs and online.

The majority of American Model Trains which are produced today are made to look and feel just like the old American Flyer trains. This will bring back a lot of memories for those who remember the trains chugging around the track on Christmas morning. Even if you do not remember, the trains offer a great classical looking train you can enjoy as it powers down the track.

The train you buy today will undoubtedly have a lot of history attached to it. Seldom are the trains going to have such an American heritage as the American Model Trains do. No matter if you buy the train for the history or for the realism, you are sure to enjoy the way it looks as it rolls down the tracks. Make sure you buy the train, which will allow you to have the most fun. Having fun is the name of the game in this and any hobby.

Originally posted 2009-12-18 10:54:15. Republished by Old Post Promoter

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The goal for all terrain, tunnels, and landscaping is to achieve a realistic looking design which has the same scale and perspective as your model trains toys. Beyond that, the scenery should complement the look and the era of your train. Within these few parameters, you are only limited by your own imagination and ideas so have some fun.

The first step for trains toys scenery is to give some thought to what you want to achieve. This can be challenging to do on your own, so it is recommended to start looking at photos and layouts of other train hobbyists to help give you ideas. If you happen to live in an area where a train show is coming up, that would be ideal. However, a far easier solution is to go online and start surfing the web.

After you have formed a plan for your scenery, you need to translate the plan into materials and components required to implement that plan. The good news is many of the elements you will need are available to you at no cost because they utilize everyday resources found around the house and even in the yard. You can always supplement your scenery with store bought landscaping and structural components, or you can just buy the raw materials to build your own structures. To help you complete your materials list, the following provides you with some basic information about some of the most popular scenery elements, which include mountains, waterfalls, tunnels and landscaping.

Mountains – An inexpensive method of forming mountains and valleys is to form them with chicken wire, coat it with wet, plaster coated strips of gauze from bottom to top, overlapping. Once dry, it can be painted accordingly. Cliffs and rock walls can be made by wadding up newspaper and holding it down with masking tape; then the same wet strips of plaster covered gauze are put over it, from bottom to top, overlapping. Again, once dry the rocks or cliffs can be painted.

Waterfalls ? These are made with sheets of stiff plastic that must be clear, although they can be colored in realistic amounts and colors. The plastic strips must be sealed by an acrylic, high-gloss gel. That same gel is used to coat the rocks along the sides, top, or bottom of the falls. The gloss must be blended together.

Tunnels – One of the most popular components for scenery is tunnels. Tunnels are just plain fun to have in your layout. The easiest way to build a tunnel portal is to cut it from a 1/2 inch thick sheet of beaded Styrofoam, the kind often used as packing material. Cut it in the shape of the opening, always keeping in mind the fact that your train must be able to pass through without touching anything but the rails. Washes are used to paint the Styrofoam, and dark stains can be added to give the appearance of soot. Styrofoam sheets can be used to build the body of the tunnel. Dark construction paper is glued to the inside that is visible.

Landscaping – Trees can be formed from pine cones that have been shucked, until only the core remains. The core is then dipped into thinned glue then dipped into a mixture of dark green turf and Styrofoam. Twigs from your backyard can also be used, if there are enough small branches to pass as a tree. Artificial turf can be used as grass, and extras such as people, signs, and telephone pole can be purchased from many suppliers.

Adding your own creative scenery to scale model trains is a fulfilling way to spend your time and it opens up a miniature world of creative expression and beauty. What began as a set of trains toys can develop into a true work of art.

Originally posted 2009-11-24 12:08:32. Republished by Old Post Promoter

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Many like the N scale model trains because they are able to have a good amount of detail on them. Some people who want a small train will pick the Z scale model train, but will have to compromise on the amount of detail available. Being a little bit bigger allows the manufacturers of the N scale to include details that would be impossible, or highly difficult on a Z scale model. Being able to include detail in the model also makes it a preference for those looking to build their own models from scratch.

Price is another way in which N scale model trains have gained a lot of popularity over the years. The popularity of the N scale means the manufacturer does not have to charge as much for every train they sell. The ease of adding details along with the little amount of material used also play important factors in lowering the cost. Getting started with a model train means limiting costs for most people, which is why the N scale has become so popular over the years.

The different kinds of fuel you can use for the N scale model trains also plays an important factor in it’s popularity. While electricity is the most popular way to power the N scale models, it is possible to build a train, which is powered by live steam. These generally will be fueled by butane, but it is possible to use such things as hexamine fuel tablets and methylated spirit. It is also possible use electricity as the fuel to create the steam which will power the train itself. The many different options for it’s size give it a strong advantage over the Z scale.

Another big advantage N scale model trains have is the ability to weather the trains and the layouts. Buildings and trains can be strained, or scratched in order to make them appear as if they belong in the different layouts you create. Many do not like the appearance of a brand new building or train in an environment that would normally be affected by the environment. Being able to create this look is very important to those who are very detail oriented. Since most people get involved in model railroading because they are detail oriented to begin with, this is a very important aspect.

Originally posted 2009-11-08 12:34:51. Republished by Old Post Promoter

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Originally posted 2009-10-31 10:20:09. Republished by Old Post Promoter

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