Inexpensive Ways to Make Trees

Inexpensive Ways to Make Trees and Ground Cover For Your Model Railroad Layout

One of the most exciting aspects of model railroading is creating the scenery to enhance the landscape of a layout. The scenery is what adds the personality and interest to a layout to make it truly unique.
There are all sorts of scenery accessories you can purchase from online model train stores, but many things can be made from everyday items around the home. You do not always need to spend money when there are things around you for free.

Twigs from your back yard are a good example. They can be used for making small trees and shrubs, or be cut to resemble logs. There is no need to paint them, because they are already the right color. Small wooden meat skewers (from the supermarket) can also be used to make logs and they are very inexpensive to buy.
The same goes for adding grass to your layout. You can purchase some very good products such as "Static Grass Flock" to provide ground cover, or you can make your own. Some model railroaders use a mix of ready-to-use grasses from the hobby store, and combine this, with there own home made grass recipe.

Model Railroad Scenery-How to Add Excitement

Model Railroad Scenery How to Add Excitement on Your Model Train Layout

Creating realistic scenery is the part that pulls your model railroad layout together and brings it to

life. Little details can make a big difference, as many spectators will spend a lot of time watching the trains operate, so they will get to notice the little things that add to the overall effect. Your visitors will see the vegetation that grows alongside the track and notice the signs on the buildings and the weathering techniques used on the trains.

Tunnels and a bridge will add interest to a model train layout. You will need a rail station too. Put operating signals at crossings. Use either a set of crossing flashers or a flasher and drop-arm combo. Kids (and adults too) are mesmerized by the 'lights and action' items.
Other ideas like a working grain elevator, water tower, coal loaders, or a control towers help complete a scene. 

Be creative, but specific, when making scenery for your model railroad layout.
Make sure any vehicles and rail crossings are from the right era. One idea is black washing the grilles and hubcaps to add depth and realism to the scene. Using a small brush you can also paint taillights, parking lights and door handles if needed. Then consider taking the cars apart and install drivers and passengers. Nothing looks more unreal on a layout than vehicles seemingly driven by invisible ghosts!

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A Key To Keeping Trains In Mint Condition

A Key To Keeping Trains In Mint Condition Protected From Dirt, Dust And Grime

Model railway locomotives and rolling stock all need to be kept clean and well-maintained, as does the track-work and layout in general. It can be a constant job to keep things operating efficiently and protecting trains and structures from dirt, grime and dust build up. Some veterans in the hobby give the scenery and track a light spray with distilled water as one method of maintaining it in good condition. There are various other tasks including track cleaning and locomotive lubrication that need to be done periodically. When the tracks are dirty the trains will pick up the dirt and dust and this can potentially cause big problems. Leaving locomotives sitting on track for days, weeks, or months on end can also be problematic.

One of the most important accessories in the model train hobby has to be model train storage boxes. These boxes are a must in order to keep your train in mint condition.

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There are various options, the first being to make your own storage system. It depends how fussy you want to be whether you make them out of wood, cardboard, or buy ready-made plastic containers. The important thing is to protect your trains from damage and dust.

The Adaptability of Digital

The Adaptability of Digital Command Control (DCC) In Model Railroading

A simple DC (Direct Current) transformer will give you a nice chugging locomotive going one way on your model train track, however, with a DCC (Digital Command Control) unit you can have the flexibility of having an entire train-switching yard happening right in front of your eyes! 

That is the adaptability that is available with this coming-of-age technology in the model railroad hobby!

Assuming you have already done all that you can with your standard controller that you got with your train set, whether that is a Bachmann, Kato, Marklin, Atlas or other brands and you want something new, what now? 

You know about the different types and combinations of wiring that can be used to make all the lights work, all the smoke come from the stacks to mimic the operation of your engines and the different things that can be accomplished with traffic control devices and lights, whistles etc. 

Now it is time to take your layout to the next step. 

Race days

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Do you remember those race days with your Eldon race set or maybe you had the Aurora Ho scale. I had them both my brother, myself and Dad would spend hours racing each other and make up tournaments. Its was just a great time and one that is such a found memory now that my Dad is gone.

I still have my Ho aurora set and a few more such as Tyco and the newer AFX by aurora. I still from time to time get them out and set them up for my grand kids. How about you?

I Stumbled across a you-tube video with Jay Leno from the tonight show, He was with the founder of slot mod.com they create Atlantic 1/32 scale racing plate forms and was doing one for his Garage. They are a have to have one racing platform. Check out the Video it's fun and amazing what SlotMod does. 

 

Slot Mod.com With J Leno

As Kids in Waterloo Iowa we were at the hobby shop every weekend racing our slot cars it was fun and competitive. I would love to see this form of entertainment return for the young people of to day. It was a fun way to socialize and at the same time use your skills and thinking cap to make your slot car run better and look the coolest. 

Building Your Model Railroad Layout

Deciding a Track Plan Before Building Your Model Railroad Layout

When planning construction of a model railroad there are all sorts of possible track configurations and plans to consider. It really depends on the space you have at your disposal and what type of train operation you would most enjoy.

Real railroads (prototype) run from one destination to another rather than go around in a circle. In reality, real railroads usually have hundreds, if not thousands, of miles of track to work with. Even in a scaled down form, most model railroads lack the space to fully replicate this, so a degree of adaptation and compromise is usually required.

Full size trains often run for long stretches over monotonous landscape, which if reconstructed on a model layout, would be rather boring. To give you an example, the Ghan Train in Australia, runs 1,880 miles across mostly barren desert. Imagine replicating that on a scaled down model railroad - it would probably stretch from one end of town to the other!

The main line begins at one point, and travels to another point, and stops, hence the term - a point to point railroad.

Hobby Ideas

 Hobby Ideas You Will Like

What is your favorite past time?  Hobby enthusiasts know that spare time is not to be "spent" but savored.  If you have a past time you enjoy, you will never look at your spare time in the same way again.  If you're not sure what past time hobby you would enjoy, here are some suggestions.

Many people listen to music as a favorite past time.  There is much you can learn about any style of music.  You can learn composers, famous melodies, and all about performers past and present.  You can develop sophisticated tastes in jazz or classical music or collect a large assortment of CD's.  Music makes a great past time hobby.