Posts Tagged ‘model trains’

The table where you place your model locomotive layout can make a huge difference as well.  I hear you, you like those little N scale locomotives so it doesn’t seem like such a big deal. Everything is so small in N gauge that it just doesn’t appear like you need all that sturdy a surface for it.  But hold on.  Give me a chance to set out my point.  I think it makes a huge difference what type of table you have your set up on.  Here are some reasons why:

A strong surface is a must:

To begin, you don’t want to choose a surface that is weak and that will lean or that can be easily pushed down. You don’t need your trains to withstand a the “Big One” but they shouldn’t derail when the mail truck shakes by outside.  Or even worse: what if your whole surface is shoved on its side. Think about the possible damage and the labor you just trashed!  No, you definitely are advised to find a nice sturdy surface. You’re proficient with your hands, you could possibly make the table yourself.

Cool Tip: Here’s a cool tip. Remember that unused ping-pong table that sits forgotten in the garage? Sure you do, it’s the ping pong table that became your new model locomotive table. Ping pong tables give you lots of room for any but the highest gauge lay outs.  Imagine how complicated you could make your HO track plan on a table of these measurements.  Even if you have a Lionel O or one of those new S scale trains, you’ll find that you can really do a lot with a table this size.

Portable tables for travel:

Look to shell out a bit for a good train table. There are a few different on line retailers that devote themselves to hocking these types of train tables that are sturdy but light weight and easily portable.

Cool tip #2: Use ceiling space instead of floor space.  If you’re good with your hands and pressed for space, the best way to increase floor space is not to use it.   Attach your table to the ceiling with a pulley system and your problem is overcome.

Interlocking tables:

Domino tables are you best bet. These tables can be fastened in any arrangement or setup. These domino tables frees your track layout to expand naturally.  Unlike other types of tables that force you to change your layout to match their shapes, these tables allow you to control the dimensions of your circuit design. The light weight design is ideal for model train lovers.  If you want to play with your model train down in the basement, you can simply carry the table down to your work area. Its even no problem to place in your car trunk.  They are so easy to alter that you might actually have difficulty keeping to one layout.

And these tables can mature with your model training experience allowing you extend your table design in conjunction with your expanding toy railroad layout.

Here is more information on N Scale Model Trains. Here is a website with a free mini-course dedicated to Model Trains.

You know what you haven’t come across but is probably to be the next huge fad in hobbying?  What trains do hardcore toy trainers lust after?  What gauge of toy locomotive do hobbyists go coo coo for?  Alright, here it is: s scale model railroads. You got it? If you’re not that familiar with scales and gauges then you probably don’t know that this isn’t a standard gauge these days. Do you even know about different gauges?  Alright so here’s what you need to know for your next toy train railroader’s meeting:

Here’s a blast from the past, these s gauge locomotives are “American Flyers”:  

In a sense it begins and ends with American Flyer.  But a big explanation why this scale is so popular is because after having been decommissioned during World War II, American Flyer retooled and marketed a cutting edge line of state of the art trains in s gauge.  This was in large part an attempt to challenge Lionel’s O scale who was the king of the roost at the time. S gauge is an “inbetween” gauge, way huger than HO but smaller than Lionel’s O.  S scale is one 64^th the size of a real train whereas Lionel’s O gauge is one 48^th the size.   That is to say that S gauge is a bit more manageable in terms of the smallest space requirements for the track but still large enough for those of us that love the arts and crafts part of model training. These locomotives are a lot of fun to color and detail.

S scale is not a standard gauge:  

Another reason that s scale has gained such popularity is that s gauge is rare.  American Flyers are simply the exclusive style of locomotives that were mass produced in this scale and even American Flyers were only produced in this gauge for a brief period just after World War II. American Flyer trains from the 50’s only fit s scale and wouldn’t run on Lionel’s O.   Because of the law of supply and demand, American Flyers brief life span has increased the demand for their parts and sets.   The nature of this devotion has just made the trains that much more valuable.

American Flyers are about to enter the market again:  

American Flyer’s adversary Lionel bought them out in the 60’s and is now looking to resurrect both brands by marketing the vintage 1950’s toys that are so loved by collectors.  The s scale toys they are due to re-manufacture should take the toy train market by storm.  It might not be long before we have to make room for s gauge as yet another standard scale in the toy training world.

So if you want to get ahead of this wave, now’s the time.  This is when the early adopters jump in and check things out.  Get one of these flap jacks while they’re still hot.  Remember when I told you about this little coffee house called Starbuck’s.  Not only that, American Flyer and s scale just rock even if nobody were into them. 

Here is more information on Model Train Scale. Here is a website with a free mini-course dedicated to Model Trains.

Yep it’s not a very large area. It is 4’ x 8’ so it will do.  It also has some good aspects. It’s secluded from most of your foot traffic which is good.  It’s clean and dry.  And it’s by your work bench so you won’t have to travel across the yard to get any tools that you left behind.  So here are some ideas for making it better:

A well-designed Model Train Table makes all the difference:  

It is a step up to have an elevated surface for your track right from the beginning.  You can build a strong table or countertop on your own.  If you do, you might want to take into account the disadvantages of building a model train display area that is connected to the structure of your home.  If possible we would like to have a independent table that we can haul as needed.  If you come to shell out some clams for a table there is an perfectly designed domino style hobby table.  These tables are crafted to attach to each other so that you can fit almost any room as you see fit and so that if you have second thoughts about your design later, they are easily altered into new shapes and into new sizes. strong, lightweight, portable—they’re everything you want in hobby table. Portability may also be a must if you ever choose to take your layout to a model train gathering. If you relocate, being able to keep your set up roughly together can also be a big relief.

Don’t try for too much:  

Don’t attempt to do too much with such a small space.  You basically have a choice between three separate layouts: a simple donut shape, a figure 8 or concentric circles. They’re all about equal in terms of positives and negatives. If you are into creating model buildings the basic basketball shape gives you the most options. The focus will rest largely on the craft and artwork involved in your accessories. A figure 8 leaves you less room for crafting topographical features and buildings and leaves the attention back on your model. Concentric circles tends to be the golden mean between the first two track plans. You could place a round house at the center and pretend this is a rail yard.  You can also add other locomotives to your roundhouse in the middle to really freshen up this set up. These are all good starting set ups and none of them shut out any future layout possibilities. The figure 8 is the least conducive to future expansion.

Perfect viewer sight lines to maximize the appearance of depth:

The corner of your layout forms an apex to a triangular viewpoint that can really increase the illusion of depth if used appropriately. Paint fading mountains and starry lines along the back walls to further enhance this effect.

Finally, use accessories like buildings and uneven topography to create a greater sense of contrast:  

Another way we can trick the viewer into thinking that our layout is larger is to add accessories like tiny bushes and little hills or piles of pebbles so that the train is at times blocked from sight. If you work this effect right you will really enhance the viewing experience.

Remember that this is just the first step toward your model train empire.  As you become more accustomed to the joys of model train design, construction and decoration you will find many creative unique ways to add to this first layout.

Here is more information on HO Model Train. Here is a website with a free mini-course dedicated to Model Trains.

Small miniatures are the neatest, huh? You won’t hear an a differing opinion from me. They are soooo cooool!.  These small beauties really can make for a captivating model training experience.  Another wonderful thing about these guys is that they are so miniscule you can for all intents and purposes fit them anywhere.  Let’s think a little bit about how we could use them in different spaces:

2’ x 4’ N model railroad set-up:

This is the least space consuming layout that we can use for these little locomotives. See that little nook over there where you have that ficus, that’s enough space for it.  If we do this layout though, we are really limited to just having the trains go around in a donut.  We could maybe do a figure 8 or have two concentric circles, but that’s about it.

Pre-fab n scale scenic highlights:

N-scale is so small it is hard to work with.  But there are several manufacturers that offer pre-fab scenic accessories like buildings and trees.  A good way of adding interest to your n-model railroad layout is to purchase some of these and add them to your setup. Atlas is a good first stop for these highlights.

Square setup:

A square 3’ x 3’ space will really open up fun possibilities. It doesn’t seem like much but it makes a huge difference. Try a mountain at the center of your setup with your train snaking around it.  This makes for a really captivating scene in a really uncompromising space.  I wouldn’t advise trying it in a space any smaller than this however.  The attempts I’ve seen to do this just don’t really function.

Every trip commences with a first step and every model train labyrinth with a simple loop:

A great method of constructing your layout is to increase it section by section.  So you can begin with a configuration similar to our 3’ x 3’ layout and then when you are ready add another 3’ section to it. You might extend a mountain row down the length of table so that your train edges along next to it and then crosses through a tunnel at its end. Use your imagination to come up with captivating detail.  Little farmhouses or perhaps a chapel by the side of a tributary can really make for a varied and captivating scenic experience.

N scale gives you the most possibilities for the least amount of space. Challenge yourself to let your creativity overcome the physical constraints of your space.  If you find a particular landscape exotic, realize it. The artisitic process is its own reward.

Here is more information on N Scale Model Trains. Here is a website with a free mini-course dedicated to Model Trains.

Boys and girls now-a-days are a lot more interested in updating their face book page than in actually putting their faces into a book.    Sometimes it seems like young people are just not interested in anything that doesn’t have cool graphics attached to it.  Multi-tasking seems to be the order of the day, so long as none of the tasks involve anything remotely important.  Even though they consider the past to be what happened last week, it's still important to find ways to get them involved with it.  It just helps knowing the stories of how things came to be.  I don’t mean to get on my soap box, but it's our duty as patriotic Americans to instill some sense of our beautiful past to them.  So how can we get around their reluctance to learning about the dead bones of the past? There are lots of ways, but one particularly good way is through model trains.  Yes.  Yeah, historic toy locomotives embody a beautiful history with them but don’t burden us with feeling that we are being educated.  Try using model locomotives to teach history this way:

Use locomotives as a secret vehicle for history:

If you’ve already gotten your young people involved in toy locomotives, a great second step is to make a toy locomotive set-up that accurately depicts a specific period and place. Imagine a track design that is set during Reconstruction in the American Southwest.  You can get your kids to research this period and then add period details that will really add to the joy and historical accuracy of your toylayout.  Imagine stringing up a long row of telegraph poles next to your track to indicate the communications system of the time.  A ghost town that failed to capitalize on the railroad because it didn’t get a stop might be depicted tantalizingly close to the track.  Maybe even put in a representative robber baron looking over his locomotive empire.

Historic model locomotives are also a good alternative to the usual diorama or scale model:  

Diorama and similar craft projects are fine but if you’ve already gotten your child into model locomotives why not take advantage of his or her hobby to really impress at his next school presentation.  You will need to lay it out on a portable table and possibly help your youngster bring it in on the day that it is due, but the combination of historic detail and the fascination that such locomotives inspire simply by themselves are likely to really go over well. A picture of Jesse James is fine, but what if you incorporated toy trains to bring the locomotive robber’s life details and cultural context to life.  As your period specific train rounds the curve there are Jesse and his whole gang just waiting to pounce and continue his wrong headed crusade.  It’s your kid though, who will be stealing that A right out of his teacher’s grade book!

Visit Historic locomotive Locales:  

There are also a few toy train museums and other train related historic sites where you can see historic toy trains and some real locomotives as well.  If your local historic locomotive site doesn’t have toy locomotives consider suggesting they find some to the curator or manager of the site.  Some rolling exhibits may come around as well. Just keep your ears pricked and you are sure to come across one sooner or later.

All of these things are sure to place your child on track to greater historical literacy.  Even if you just do toy training without even considering the educational possibilities you will inevitably foster a greater sense of historical knowledge simply by handling these little mechanical doorways to the past.  

Here is more information on Model Steam Trains. Here is a website with a free mini-course dedicated to Model Trains.