Modeling Buildings For A Realistic Layout

Contributed by Bill Murphy

Even if you aren't an architect you can enjoy making model railroad buildings. Sometimes it's just too hard to find that perfect building or bridge or train station that we can picture so we may just have to build it on our own.

So is it complicated? Do you have to be educated or handy with tools or can you just use what you find around the house?

In reality building a quality replica can involve some detailed miter cuts and depending on the scale you are working in may require some advanced woodworking skills and tools. However there is always the 'kitbashing' method, where you take existing models and use parts of them to start your building, then modify it as needed.

All you will need for this is your imagination and a few basic tools such as an X-acto knife and scissors.

Some other items that are useful could include balsa wood and glue, foam, mat board and cardboard and maybe even lightweight plastic.

Plaster and corkboard along with foils and spray glues can come in handy. Glitter and beads may add that little extra as well. Hobby stores should carry anything that you are looking for.

Where to find Further Ideas

Many tips and articles have been written for magazines and a good place to look for these is either in a book store for a new book or second hand store for a used book or maybe even your library.

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Model Railroading Clubs

Contributed by Bill Murphy

Most hobbies have clubs associated with them, in part because as humans we like to share and gain insight into our viewpoints as compared to others but also because shared or pooled knowledge leads to more successful ventures. After all if everyone had to recreate the wheel every time they wanted to drive we wouldnt get very far!

Model railroading is no different in this aspect. With hundred or possibly even thousands of clubs across the world model railroading is far from an obscure or fringe group of hobbyists.

For instance, clubs such as the LCCA (the Lionel international club) - formed in 1970 - provide their members with resources and forums to discuss and share their love of this wonderful hobby that might otherwise be difficult to achieve.

There are many different club types out there too: almost more then there are scales! One link on Railserve.com for instance shows over 150 clubs servicing a variety of modelers across the world -- each with a different focus or specialty.

One thing they all have in common however is a love of modeling, and the desire to share and improve the state of the hobby by sharing knowledge and information with their members. If you are serious about modeling then finding a club where you can share your findings and learn about what others have accomplished is not only a good idea, its a necessity.

After all, Rome wasn't built in a day and most certainly not by one single engineer!

No matter what your interest - prototyping real-world scenes, collecting antique train equipment or just a general interest in all aspects of the hobby, you'll be able to find a club that focuses on the same thing.

You'll be glad you took the time to connect with them. There's nothing wrong with working on your own, but sharing your skills with others while learning from them at the same time is a lot more satisfying.

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What is the Best Way to Control Your Model Train?

Contributed by Bill Murphy

If you need to decide how you are going to control your model train, you nave two main options. You can either choose analog control or digital command control, often referred to as DCC. We are now going to discuss the differences between these two options, which are many, and which may be best suited for your needs.

To begin with, analog control means that a battery supplies the track itself with a variable voltage charge. All of the trains that you have on your track thus move due to this electrical charge. All of the different functions of each train car, such as their motor, lights, etc. are powered by the electricity taken in by the wheels.

If you turn up the voltage, the speed of your train will increase. If you reverse the polarity, you can make your cars reverse and go the opposite way. A downside to analog control is that you can only control the charge you're sending to the tracks. This means that you cannot have several different things happening at once.

The other option, DCC, not only supplies the track with electricity, but each separate engine can be operated by means of a control center which sends out various signals. This gives you many more options that analog control. Since each separate car receives its own commands, not merely the tracks, you can really be creative.

Some of the other advantages to DCC is that you can add many different lighting and sound effects to your track. Not only can you randomly program them in, you also have total control over everything that happens. Trains can also hitch, unhitch, and complete a variety of other functions without you laying a finger on the set. This will really make your train set come to life. All of the different trains can be going at different velocities and doing different things. All you have to do is sit back and punch a few buttons.

With Dcc control you also have the option of changing the velocity vs. acceleration level for each different train that is on the track. There are also other options that allow you to stabilize the velocity, with your decoder automatically detecting how fast the train is moving and adjusting the voltage accordingly.

Many of the most common DCC sets that are on the market today are composed of multiple parts, including the battery, decoder, accelerator, control station, and a booster. The speed control that is offered varies from 14, 28, even up to 128. Just think about what you could do with the latter. The possibilities are almost endless. An added benefit to DCC control is that nearly all parts and setups are compatible.

Don't worry about what will happen to your train set if the company that sold you your DCC controls goes under. The wiring is quite basic. It is also possible to upgrade your analog set to DCC, which will greatly simplify matters since analog wiring is very difficult to work with.

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Model Railroad Layout Backdrops

Contributed by Bill Murphy

A well designed and cleverly painted backdrop can make your model railroad layout stand out from the rest and look truly unique. This is mostly because it makes an optical illusion that produces an effect called forced perspective.

Forced perspective occurs when the layout in the foreground appears to be larger because it is placed in front of a space in the distance, which is made by adding a backdrop to the wall in the case of model railroads. It is an optical illusion that will make your entire model railroad layout appear to be larger than it really is.

The effect of forced perspective can be observed all around us. For instance, a barn several hundred feet away from you will look smaller than a Chihuahua sitting on the ground ahead of it. By analyzing natural landscapes you will notice techniques you can use to make an outstanding backdrop to use with you model railroad layout.

Projects of this sort always require lots of planning. Hopefully, you will be working on your backdrop at the same time that you are designing the rest of your model train layout. A mistake that many people make is working on the backdrop after they have finished everything else. If you design them together, you can make some interesting and unique set pieces.

To make your backdrop, you need to have in mind what season it will, what the weather will be like, the location you will be showing, and what kind of day it will be. Planning these details will save you lots of frustration in the long run.

Think about what the sky will look like. Remember that, even on a cloudless day, the sky is actually made up of several different hues of blue due to the position of the sun and other environmental factors. A good base color is Velvet Sky Vinyl, available in acrylic flat paint.

When considering what the clouds will look like, remember that no two clouds are quite the same. The grand majority of clouds are cumulus, stratus, and cirrus. The most common clouds are the white and puffy cumulus ones.

The color of clouds also varies quite a bit depending on where they are positioned in the sky. Decide where the sun is in your backdrop and then color the clouds near is lighter than those farther away.

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Main Supplies for Model Trains

Contributed by Bill Murphy

For many people their first model railroading experience begins with a circle or oval on just a piece of plywood. It tends to be very basic with no extras such as buildings, scenery or landscaping.

Before long the desire to add more accessories to make a more realistic model can turn this into an ongoing project that can grow in intensity.

Every layout is different and everyone has their own favorite accessories, but the following 5 items are some of the most common accessories that add a level of realism and interest to your model railroad.

1. The Train Station

The train station will probably be one of the first buildings added. It's the focal point for starting and ending and the town can be built around it.

2. Lighting

Railroads can have various types of lighting. Background lighting will give a nice subtile realistic effect or street lighting will add a nice backdrop while working on building or adding to your town or city. These lights may be just decoration or practical for giving your streets a lifelike glow.

3. Train Cars

The locomotive usually gets the most attention when setting up a model railroad, but there are many choices for railcars as well.

4. People and Animals

Adding figures such as people will complete your model and make it more realistic. The addition of animals will add that extra little touch as well.

5. Landscaping

There are many options for landscaping a railroad. You can add things like grass, trees, lakes or rivers alongside the track. Or you can get a little more in depth and add hills and valleys for your train to travel through, and tunnels through the mountains.

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Playing God - Landscaping Your Model Railroad Layout

Contributed by Bill Murphy

Landscaping and picking out the scenery can be one of the more fun things that you can do with your model railroads. You are the person who gets to decide just how you want it to look.

From fanciful hobbit themes, alien worlds or realistic recreations there is nothing that you cannot create and display, all it takes is a plan, some materials, a little skill and some time.

First and foremost you need a plan or at least a concept.

- Do you want to copy something you've seen somewhere else?

- Do you want a faithful historical recreation of a place now lost in time?

- Are you more inclined to creating a never-before seen or unlikely scenario to wow the masses?

Making a choice on one theme for your layout and staying true to that theme is perhaps the most important keys to success. If you change your methods and style in the middle of your landscape the result will be inconsistencies that will detract from the overall impression you are trying to form.

Staying consistent will enable the people.who are observing your project to find all the small details that you have added to make it so special.

Once you have picked your theme you need to work on where you will put your tracks and the landscaping. It can be more advantageous to first put in your turns or switches and then add your terrain than vice versa.

Your next step is to collect the items that you think you will want to use. Some you may already have around the house, others you may want to purchase from dealers or even a local hobby shop if you have one near. Just remember what your original design plan is so you don't stray from it. Just because you like the look of something doesn't mean that it will suit your project. Some common materials that you can gather are:

1. Tables or Stands

2. Plywood (preferably outdoor grade) for base if using stands

3. Glues

4. Twigs, 'dirt' gravel, crushed or powdered stones, herbs etc. for plants and groundcover

5. Paints of various kinds for touch-up, covering the base and backgrounds etc.

6. Poster board, wax paper, aluminum foil, tissues etc. for texturing and shaping

7. Styrofoam blocks and sheets for shaping

Some other items you may include:

- Fiberglass or plaster

- Powder, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper for adding texture and color

- Cork paper or board

- Roofing tar for roads

- Caulk and adhesives for holding items secure

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Shopping Online For Model Railway Equipment

Contributed by Bill Murphy

One of the best things about present day is being able to access so many different materials and supplies. With the arrival of the Internet, you can now have those hard to find toys or models delivered right to your door without needing to go anywhere. The only downside to this abundance of supplies is that you're not always sure what you're getting. Without actually looking at an item before hand, it's possible to be mislead by images and descriptions. By being careful, you can avert many of the problems you might have purchasing items online.

Here are a few simple rules for purchasing model railroads supplies online.

1) Buy from someone who is trustworthy

2) If possible buy only known brand(s) and product lines that you have had experience with

3) Understand their return policy and any costs accompanying the exchange

4) Use a credit card or other method of payment that offers you some protection, especially on high-dollar purchases

Using discussion groups and asking other hobbyists is a good way to find reputable online sources and work through the lists of suppliers. The lowest cost shouldn't be the only factor when purchasing. The quality of the product, friendliness of the store personnel online and in person should be considered. This is most important when purchasing from auction sites or other low cost sites. Double check with sellers that they are providing a worthy product and remember that price isn't everything.

When it comes to an ongoing hobby like model railroading you need to understand that you will probably be forming a long-term relationship with the vendors you like, and should expect them to act accordingly. With a little research a few bucks and couple of mouse clicks that special locomotive can be headed your way today...and who knows what may follow?

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