What to Consider When Buying a Model Train Set
Before you invest a lot of money in purchasing a model train set, here are a few tips to follow to make sure you'll get the most out of your investment.
1.
It's most fun if you actually pick an existing or past railroad that you are going to model.
This allows you to bring a level of realism to your hobby and can expand your enjoyment as you learn the history and facts about your railroad.
2.
Model train sets require space for their layout so consider carefully where you are going to locate your train set and decide on the kind of layout you are going to build.
It might also be wise to begin with a temporary set up which allows you to play with numerous layouts before you build something permanent.
A ping pong table is usually a good place to start.
3.
Select the scale of your model train set.
The most popular scales are O, HO, N and Z and they relate to the size of the model relative to the actual size of the train.
Scale and space often work together as the less space you have the smaller the scale you should go with.
4.
Figure out your layout.
This requires some planning and some research before you finalize the layout.
Read up on your railroad and where its tracks normally run.
Read up on different track layouts.
Join a local model railroading club and get ideas from other members.
Only once you have everything worked out should you start building your layout.
5.
Remember that you need to get power to your trains so make sure you haven't forgotten to be within reach of a power outlet.
Newer train sets are now coming with computer controlled trains using industry standard Digital Command Control (DCC).
6.
As in all engineering, form follows function.
Building a model train set is as much art as engineering, in fact, a good layout is often referred to as a sculpture in motion.
So make sure everything works but make it beautiful as well.
7.
Keep costs in mind since you can spend as little as $300 to get started but the sky's the limit in terms of how much you can spend, so set your budget and buy and build a model train set that matches your budget.
1.
It's most fun if you actually pick an existing or past railroad that you are going to model.
This allows you to bring a level of realism to your hobby and can expand your enjoyment as you learn the history and facts about your railroad.
2.
Model train sets require space for their layout so consider carefully where you are going to locate your train set and decide on the kind of layout you are going to build.
It might also be wise to begin with a temporary set up which allows you to play with numerous layouts before you build something permanent.
A ping pong table is usually a good place to start.
3.
Select the scale of your model train set.
The most popular scales are O, HO, N and Z and they relate to the size of the model relative to the actual size of the train.
Scale and space often work together as the less space you have the smaller the scale you should go with.
4.
Figure out your layout.
This requires some planning and some research before you finalize the layout.
Read up on your railroad and where its tracks normally run.
Read up on different track layouts.
Join a local model railroading club and get ideas from other members.
Only once you have everything worked out should you start building your layout.
5.
Remember that you need to get power to your trains so make sure you haven't forgotten to be within reach of a power outlet.
Newer train sets are now coming with computer controlled trains using industry standard Digital Command Control (DCC).
6.
As in all engineering, form follows function.
Building a model train set is as much art as engineering, in fact, a good layout is often referred to as a sculpture in motion.
So make sure everything works but make it beautiful as well.
7.
Keep costs in mind since you can spend as little as $300 to get started but the sky's the limit in terms of how much you can spend, so set your budget and buy and build a model train set that matches your budget.