Creating realistic effects on a model railroad layout can add considerable reality and really bring a scene to life. The best part is; building structures, creating scenery and applying weathering techniques are some of the most fun activities of a layout (apart from operating the trains). Here are 4 quick model railroad tips to try:
1. Add weeds and shrubbery alongside track
To model weeds, hay, straw, and grass get some "binder twine" from a farmer/horse owner. The twine is a natural (unlike the new plastic stuff) material and takes paint/stain well. The binders twine also weathers naturally. Hang some outside for a year and it will look like fall weeds. You could let it lay on the ground and it will turn a grayish color over time. The twine can be cut in very short lengths and used as some ground cover.
2. Making roads for a model train layout
The Model Train Help PDF book describes several ingenious ways to make roads. However, if you are working on a tight budget then here is an inexpensive idea for you. It is not as effective as some of the other methods, but it is cheap. Buy some non-skid tape (2 or 6 inch wide) which can be used for a black top road. You then use some white car detail tape for the white line down the center of the road. Result quick, inexpensive roads for your model railroad layout.
3. Add pavement effects
Here is a simple way to age paved streets on your model railroad layout. Use a fine point pen to create cracks. Simply drive around your neighborhood or areas similar to where you are modeling and see how the pavements are aging. Word of caution though, your model railroad layout needs to look authentic, so do not go crack crazy.
4. Passenger car windows
Many model train passenger cars that are being retailed do not have interiors. As a result when you look inside them they look like a toy train. One simple solution is to buy some commercial window tinting film from hobby, hardware or car accessory store. A small strip of the tinting film can be attached to the inside of the clear plastic that makes up the windows of most passenger cars. The tinting film can look like polarized glass which is very difficult to look through.
Robert is author of the best-selling Model Train Help Downloadable Book. It is packed with over 200 pages of useful tips and ideas to help you build the Model Railroad Layout of your dreams.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_R_Anderson
Friday, 17 September 2010
Wednesday, 25 November 2009
O Scale Model Train
O scale was originally introduced in the 1900's by Marklin, a German manufacturer and is the scale that is often used for toy trains. By the 1930s O gauge was the most popular model railroad scale in the United States. It remained popular until the 1960s, until the introduction of smaller scales, at which point its sales took a nosedive.
When model trains were looked upon as toys, the O scale was at its peak. Important to users at the time was value for money and durability, as they were a popular purchase for children, who don't posses the gentle hands that adults do. At this stage intricacy and realism were not of much importance.
Just to be clear on the difference between a model train and a toy. Toy trains are easy to spot whilst out shopping and are usually made out of plastic. As a rule they are of poor quality, low priced and with no pretence to be anything more than they are. A disposable child's toy. Although these lowly toys, can often be the first step to a lifelong fascination with trains - they cannot be classed in the same league as a model train!...or am I simply being snobby about toy trains?
Anyway, O scale still has its place and in the United States, it is still a popular choice for enthusiasts who perhaps enjoy other aspects of model railroading and are not too concerned with detail or realism. O scales remains popular in the United Kingdom as it is easily accessible and reasonably priced.
When boys grow up they are called men. And when toy trains grow up, they are called locomotives.
Stuart Graham is a model train enthusiast. For more information on model railway trains visit http://www.themodeltraincenter.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stuart_Graham
When model trains were looked upon as toys, the O scale was at its peak. Important to users at the time was value for money and durability, as they were a popular purchase for children, who don't posses the gentle hands that adults do. At this stage intricacy and realism were not of much importance.
Just to be clear on the difference between a model train and a toy. Toy trains are easy to spot whilst out shopping and are usually made out of plastic. As a rule they are of poor quality, low priced and with no pretence to be anything more than they are. A disposable child's toy. Although these lowly toys, can often be the first step to a lifelong fascination with trains - they cannot be classed in the same league as a model train!...or am I simply being snobby about toy trains?
Anyway, O scale still has its place and in the United States, it is still a popular choice for enthusiasts who perhaps enjoy other aspects of model railroading and are not too concerned with detail or realism. O scales remains popular in the United Kingdom as it is easily accessible and reasonably priced.
When boys grow up they are called men. And when toy trains grow up, they are called locomotives.
Stuart Graham is a model train enthusiast. For more information on model railway trains visit http://www.themodeltraincenter.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stuart_Graham
Best Layout in the Entire Neighborhood
It's always tempting to start planning how you want your model railroad to look. Do you want one circular track or are your ambitions to see several tracks snaking around your basement? Would your perfect layout consist of imposing mountain ranges or smaller and detailed streams and bridges? Whatever the ultimate dream is for your model railroad, the first thing you need to get sorted, is your benchwork.
There is no escaping the fact that if your benchwork is not up to the job, then your layout simply will not last for long. When you consider that the benchwork has to take the weight of not only the layout, train and all the accessories, but perhaps one or two humans leaning on it, you will appreciate that it must be strong. Whether you decide to build your own benchwork or purchase a precut and predrilled kit, you must select the very best that you can.
If you do decide to build your own, a 3/8 or 1/2 inch thick piece of plywood should be strong enough to provide a solid platform. If you think that you may wish to move the benchwork at sometime in the future, simply cut the plywood into several pieces before you put the structure together. And remember to ensure the benchwork is the correct height for operating your trains from, you don`t want to be stooping over the controls and end up with a bad back!
Once the benchwork is sorted, it is time to get planning for the final design. Decide how much space you can afford to give to your railroad. Think about access to all areas of the track should a derailment occur. Take your time to decide exactly what you want to create and visit as many other model train display as you can to give you ideas and inspiration.
At the end of the day, this is your dream layout, so have some fun and let your imagination run wild.
Stuart Graham is a model train enthusiast. For more information on model railway trains visit http://www.themodeltraincenter.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stuart_Graham
There is no escaping the fact that if your benchwork is not up to the job, then your layout simply will not last for long. When you consider that the benchwork has to take the weight of not only the layout, train and all the accessories, but perhaps one or two humans leaning on it, you will appreciate that it must be strong. Whether you decide to build your own benchwork or purchase a precut and predrilled kit, you must select the very best that you can.
If you do decide to build your own, a 3/8 or 1/2 inch thick piece of plywood should be strong enough to provide a solid platform. If you think that you may wish to move the benchwork at sometime in the future, simply cut the plywood into several pieces before you put the structure together. And remember to ensure the benchwork is the correct height for operating your trains from, you don`t want to be stooping over the controls and end up with a bad back!
Once the benchwork is sorted, it is time to get planning for the final design. Decide how much space you can afford to give to your railroad. Think about access to all areas of the track should a derailment occur. Take your time to decide exactly what you want to create and visit as many other model train display as you can to give you ideas and inspiration.
At the end of the day, this is your dream layout, so have some fun and let your imagination run wild.
Stuart Graham is a model train enthusiast. For more information on model railway trains visit http://www.themodeltraincenter.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stuart_Graham
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