Posts Tagged ‘toy 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.

Finally uncovered a way you can mix your wife’s love of weeding and your love of toy trains, huh? As the young up and comers say these days, g scale is definitely the bomb! You get to have fun in the sun while planning your own personal model locomotive empire. Now it’s just a problem of how to do it? Your backyard will have a big say in the type of design you go with. Here are some tips.

Use the topography of your yard to inform the choices you make in terms of circuit design choice:  One of the best decisions you can make is to use the topography of your yard as one of the major factors in deciding the type of train and the design of your g scale model railroad designs.  If you live in the Arizona desert and your backyard is a rock garden, consider choosing a type of train and track that was common in the American Southwest like the Sante Fe type trains that are widely available. If your yard is packed with greenery you’ll have fun dreaming up ways that you can snake your track through it.  The topographical idiosyncrasies of your back yard are the main limit to your g scale model railroad layouts. Try to harness climate and terrain to aid your track plans.

Play peek-a-boo with your train plan:  One of the best ways of maximizing interest to our g scale model railroad layouts is to use the hedges and plants of our back yards to enhance the visual enjoyment of our track plan.

Play peek-a-boo with the viewer by curling the train into the natural features of the yard. The lazy way is to run your track through a bush, but if you’re really ambitious you might build a rocky pass or sharp  gorge right in your back yard.  There is something really wonderful too about seeing the g scale locomotive make its way obscurely through the dark shadows behind a row of bushes.

Work with the major landmarks of your yard:  If you have a completely empty yard then this is not a consideration, but since most of us have things other than trains and grass in your back yards, your best bet is to take these backyard landmarks and work with them. Got statues, let them play a role in your layout. Little stone dwarves around a pool featuring a transom with your locomotive tracks can really make for a hypnotizing experience. Use it.

Add artificial features to your backyard layout:  Finally, to really develop the full reality of our g scale model railroad layouts we are well served by adding features like road crossings and trestle bridges to make our model train worlds as realistic and detailed as possible.  The planning, building and decoration of these structures and features can be one of the most joyous and rewarding aspects of a model railroad.  It is much more rewarding to spend in rainy Sunday afternoon detailing and coloring a model train whistle stop than watching reruns of I Love Lucy.

G scale toy trains are so in demand right now, you shouldn’t be surprised if you friends are willing to shell out cold hard cash to come over and see your design.  But the best reason to take part in this great hobby is that it is just good old fashioned fun!

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