November 19th, 2010 
dwalton 
Model Train Layouts - A Quick Summary
Author: Clint Spille
When it comes to model railway layouts, pretty much the skies the limit, depending on your resources and space. You can decide on various kinds of model train scale, and it really depends of what ideas you come up with.
HO railways are the common ones you'll see; they're at 1:87 scale, which is eighty seven times smaller than a real railway. You can also acquire different kinds within the HO scale that provide for narrower track lengths.
There are numerous ways in which HO scale model trains are the greatest alternative. Basically, first time train owners find them extremely easy to use, and they're easier to manipulate, especially with people with big hands.
It is a excellent 'show' train, and isn't so little that it makes designing layouts complicated. It's the easiest to locate in most local hobby shops, and the accessories are in abundance, and if you are creative, can be created at your house.
8x4' ply board is the regular size for a train design, but you can cut that as you see fit. If you wish to have an sampling of the dedication and time it takes to become a model railway enthusiast, look up some of the model railroad designs you can find online, and you'll see a score of painstakingly elaborate and complex designs in pictures and videos.
The infinitely dedicated model railroad hobbyist will spend a lot of time and money into making their layout as complex as possible. You can even find organizations with other people who like model railways, where you can pit your setup against others to see who has the best.
Most beginner layouts would start with a basic track design, usually some kind of oval or oval modification. You would have the track go around close to the outside edge of the board, granting access to the engine and cars easier.
Starting with this basic design, you can be as creative and imaginative as you wish. If you don't have the time to make your own, there are accessory kits out there that include buildings, miniature trees, people, and other decor.
You could make these yourself of course, but it may help to buy starting out. Realistic toy cars can help you create atmosphere, and all types of materials exist to manufacture your own houses from scratch and make them your own.
If you want industrial buildings like silos or other metal, cylindrical buildings, tin cans will substitute just fine; just stack them as high as you like and glue them together, slap a little paint on, and you have a realistic building for your design. There are many more props you can do.
There is a lot of information out there regarding model trains, designs for layouts, and explanations of the different railroad scales that are available. As mentioned before, you can locate sites that have images and videos that show numerous layouts and include photographs of the different types of cars and engines that you can purchase.
You'll see ideas for homemade accessories, such as, taking plastic greenery apart to use for landscaping on your outlay. Local retailers will have numerous accessories in stock that you can get ideas from, or there may be some excellent packages, where you purchase a train set, and the retailer includes a basic accessory kit as part of the deal.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/model-train-layouts-a-quick-summary-1393531.html
About the Author
For more information on model trains be sure to sign up for my free "Secrets to Successful Model Railroading!" mini-course. This mini-course covers many important aspects of model railroading including model train layouts, how to properly setup your track to avoid future problems, and much more.
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Try these.
http://www.marklin.com/
http://www.bahnhof4marklin.co.uk/
Actually I do model. I have chosen the “transition era,” so that I may enjoy the best of both worlds. I am modeling the ATSF, SP and Great Northern.
The nice thing is, in modeling the transition era, the scenes are appropriate for later eras as well. I have built one “modern” train comsist from 1976. At 89 cars, 60′ 08″ long and weighing over 23 lbs, it is the biggest train I operate. 1976 was the year I was promoted so I modeled a typical train of the day…
But, I share your sentiment. Out of about 75 locomotives only 24 or so are diesels.
And, as far as model sound goes, the steamers can’t be beat. I love the Tsunami sound modules, especially those effects beyond the usual chuffs, whistles, bell, etc.. Blower, air pump, water doors, injectors, dynamo, air brakes, cylinder cocks, power reverse, etc. Its all there. Very nice.
Broadway Limited engines have nice sound as well. The German made Lok-Sound is supposed to be a nice sounding unit as well. I have two SP AC12′s waiting for their Lok-Sound upgrade, as well as an AC4 and an AC5 awaiting Broadway Limited up-grade.
Know where I can get any money?
A special section devoted to my model train layouts in N and HO scales. … This is my scale model electric trains page. I model in both HO and N scale. …http://www.home.att.net/~g.ruboyianes/trains.html
N Scale trains, N scale model railroad layouts and N … Layouts HO Scale. Layouts N Scale. Layouts O Scale. Layouts SZ Scale. Manufacturers. Model RR Retail …http://www.railsusa.com/links/Model_Railroad_Layouts_N_Scale
HO Scale model railroad layouts and HO Scale model … Layouts HO Scale. Layouts N Scale. Layouts O Scale. Layouts SZ Scale. Manufacturers. Model RR Retail …http://www.railsusa.com/links/Model_Railroad_Layouts_HO_Scale
of N Scale model trains and n scale model railroad layouts. … Evert’s Model Railroad Page. This site documents the construction of my N and HO scale layout. …http://www.modelrailroads.net/Model_Railroad_Links/Layouts_N_Scale
There is a multitude of options here…. If you’re finished with the track, i’d say start with scenery….trees, buildings, cars….people…yeah…. stuff like that…..background and scenery is really cool to work on….I guess it really depends on what you like and how detailed you want to get. And if, for instance, if you decide to modell a city scene, for goodness sake, please don’t use HotWheels or Matchbox cars. I apologize if I sound snobbish, sometimes I forget that I was a beginner at one time too.
I model in H.O. scale…that’s 1/87th….if that’s the scale you’re modeling, here’s a list of 1/87 scale vehicle manufacturers and distributors
http://www.1-87vehicles.org/directory/directory.php
….sometimes you can get lucky and hit paydirt at Wal-Mart…sometimes you might have to go to the hobby store and pay thru the nose….or you could go on E-Bay to find what you need…..
One good place to check out it Model Railroader Magazine Online…the folks there are really cool, and they know trains and layout design forward and back.
http://www.trains.com/mrr/
Stick with it…you’ll find out that there’s so much more stuff out there, electronics, special kits, lighting, sound… and theres always lots of people that will help you out if you get stuck. You might even decide to change your layout…..make it bigger….or more detailed….I can honestly say that everytime I thought I completed my layout, something else came out or someone told me about something new….so it’s like saying finished….but not quite.
Good Luck and Happy Railroading!
I haven’t seen a STOCK bracket like that at my local hardware store… BUT you could use any number of available products.
One thing I’M thinking, having built 3 dozen RR’s now is: Are you including in your planning, DEPTH for your buildings ?? You’ll either need to build a vertical BOX for the layout to fit into, or (much harder) a recessed area between wall-studs.
IF you were to build a vertical box (1″x 6″ frame), you could insert metal pegs in the base-board, and route grooves into the frame. The pegs would slide in the grooves and then rest in “niches” in the grooves at “storage” and “usage” levels.
Ah, the engineering-joys of trying to fit a layout into your space.
ALWAYS remember to MEASURE Trice, CUT Once !!
Where do I get information on Marklin model train track layouts?
I’m a newbie to model train layouts. I have my track and roadbed lay ed. Now I don’t know what to do next.
Model Train Layouts?
Where can I find conpleated N or HO scale Layouts?
Sliding vertical wall brackets for model train board?
I am building a model train layout and want to fix the base board to the wall at one end with free standing legs at the other. The length of the board is about 5ft which would mean I’d have to fix the bracket about 2ft up from the ground. This is obviously to low so I am looking for brackets that are on a sliding vertical track. I could slide them right down to pack the board away or fold down the board and slide the brackets up to table height to play with the trains.
Has anyone seen a bracket that fits the description?
Thanks
steam locomotives only model train layout?
If you were to build a model train layout,would it be steam only?I personally don’t care for diesel locomotives.They don’t have all the neat sounds a steamer has.All you hear is a steady drone of a diesel engine.Steam,they have all kinds of chuffs,chugs.I love the sound of a steamer taking off.It starts slow,then as it builds steam,it gets faster.I love steamers,and my layout will only have steam engines.That’s the way railroads started,and that’s the way they should be.