Getting starting with model trains.pdf

Welcome to the…

Getting started with model trains

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2 World’s Greatest Hobby

Why it’s “The World’sGreatest Hobby”

But you don’t have to do all, or evenany, of these to be a model railroader. Youcan concentrate on those things you findmost interesting now, secure in the knowl-edge that the others will still be theremonths and years from now patiently waiting if the mood should strike.

Different strokes for different folks

With such a broad hobby it should comeas no surprise that there is more than oneapproach to model railroading. In fact, thereare three major divisions of the hobby.

The largest segment of the hobby is scalemodel railroading. Scale model railroadersset out to duplicate the locomotives andcars used by real railroads. But it doesn’tstop with the trains. The goal of most scalemodelers is the creation of a miniatureworld – a layout – featuring not only thetrains but a complete and precise replica oftheir surroundings.

Then there are model railroaders whoare primarily interested in what we call “toytrains.” Perhaps you had a Lionel orAmerican Flyer train set when you wereyounger, or remember that your father orolder brother had a train set up under theChristmas tree every year.

Toy trains, which tend to be larger andless finely detailed than their scale counter-parts, are better than ever. The traditionalmanufacturers have been joined by a legionof new companies offering a wide variety ofexciting and colorful trains and accessories.

Garden railroaders are the third group.They enjoy creating outdoor settings fortheir trains. Those trains are bigger thantraditional toy trains and are rugged

SINCE YOU’VE PICKED UP THISbooklet, you already know we think modelrailroading is the greatest hobby in theworld, but you may wonder exactly why wefeel that way.

In a word the answer is “diversity.” Unlikeother leisure-time activities, model railroad-ing doesn’t have a right and wrong way to dothings. You can participate in the way thatworks best for you. And, since you’ve cus-tomized the hobby to your tastes and needs,you’re definitely going to have a good time.

Model railroading offers a range of funand excitement. You’ll get to work withyour hands, work with your mind, and havea great time exercising your imagination asyou express yourself through somethinguniquely your own.

Some of the enjoyable activities thatmodel railroaders choose from include:carpentry, electronics, painting, modelbuilding, engineering, historical research,and many, many more.

W H A T ’ S I N S I D E

P H O T O G A L L E R Y 1 8

R E S O U R C E S 1 6

G E T T I N G S T A R T E D 1 4

G A R D E N R A I L R O A D I N G 1 2

B U I L D I N G A L A Y O U T 1 0

T O Y T R A I N C O L L E C T I N G 8

S C A L E M O D E L T R A I N S 6

S C A L E S A N D G A U G E S 4

If there’s one thing that sets model railroadingapart from other hobbies and crafts it’s movement– you get to control the train as it travels throughthe setting you built. Nothing equals the thrill ofrunning a train through a finished scene.

enough to stand up to outdoor use in allweather. A garden railroad offers a uniqueopportunity to create a setting that com-bines nature and machines.

Fun for all agesMany model railroaders find a hobby

they intended to be just for them ends upincluding the rest of the family. More andmore married couples actively participate inthe hobby together. And kids of all ages havealways been fascinated by model trains.

What better gift can you give your chil-dren or grandchildren than your time? In

this world of computers and instant gratifi-cation you’ll be giving your time as youshare with them a lifetime hobby thatteaches patience and the joys of creatingsomething with your hands.

The time you spend together building arailroad is true quality time – the kind oftime yet another night staring at the televi-sion cannot possibly hope to match.

Movement sets it apartThe most appealing aspect of model

trains of all sizes is the way they move. Noother hobby combines so many interests

and levels of participation with a chance towatch things move under their own powerthrough a world you created.

This booklet can only offer a glimpseinto the exciting world of model trains. Alifetime of joys and challenges lies ahead.We hope you decide to join us on this mag-ical journey.

All Aboard!

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Who can resist the big, colorful trains thatmake up a prewar layout? The vivid colors andfanciful accessories bring back wonderful memories of simpler times.

Size to Fit AnyInterest or Space

Large Scale

YOU DON’T HAVE TO SPEND MUCHtime with model trains to realize that theycome in a number of different sizes. Thesedifferences are one of the things that makemodel trains so much fun because thereare advantages to each size. Let’s take a lookat them so you can think about which sizemay be best for you.

Long ago, these sizes were arbitrary –whatever the craftsman making the minia-ture locomotive or car decided would lookgood. Now, of course, these sizes have pre-cise meaning, which is why hobbyists usu-ally choose one as their favorite.

We differentiate model and toy trainsaccording to their scale and their gauge.

“Scale” relates to the comparative ratio ofmeasurements between a miniature and itsfull-size prototype.

Dedicated scale modelers expect thatevery element of their models will havebeen designed to be in the same propor-tion. Collectors and operators of toy trainsare less demanding and understand that

S C A L E S A N D G A U G E S

O Scale

S Scale


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running on Gauge 1 track operate out-doors (and sometimes indoors). This trackhas 45 mm between the rails.

Models are offered in a range of scales,all of which operate on Gauge 1 track.Collectively, they are called “large scaletrains.” To give you an idea of the size ofthese trains, an actual 50-foot-long boxcarwould measure 261⁄2 inches in large scale.

The most popular gauge for toy trains isO (pronounced “oh”), with 11⁄4 inchesbetween the rails. The rugged O and O-27gauge (circles of track have diameters of 31and 27 inches, respectively) trains pro-duced by Lionel in the 1940s and ’50shelped introduce millions of children tothis hobby. Many of those youngsters, nowgrown up, still enjoy trains of this size.

Hobbyists realize that the toys of theiryouth weren’t scale models. Most of today’sO gauge trains feature greater realism andcan be described as scale, having been builtto a ratio of 1:48. That means a 50-footboxcar would be 121⁄2 inches long in O.

Smaller and not quite as popularamong toy train enthusiasts are S gaugetrains. These locomotives and cars, manyof which were once marketed under theAmerican Flyer brand, run on track whoserails are spaced 7⁄8 inches apart. Today’s Sgauge trains are almost all scale models,with nearly every feature being designed toa ratio of 1:64.

Small and very popularOvershadowing the various toy

trains are scale models built tobe approximately half the sizeof O gauge models (that’swhy we call them “HO” –pronounced “aitch-oh”).

These trains have a relationship of 1:87 totheir full-size compatriots, and the track

gauge measures 16.5 mm. Our 50-foot box-car is now down to 7 inches in length.

HO trains are small enough to allowyou to plan a satisfying layout in a compactspace, say a 4 x 8-foot sheet of plywood,and still be large enough to show off lots ofdetail and be easy to work with and enjoy.As important, this segment of the hobby

offers an enormous range of kits andready-to-run models. No wonder HO

railroading is the most popular ofthe scales, with more than two-thirds of modelers making it theirtop choice.

Smaller still but growing in popu-larity is N scale. Rolling stock and locomo-tives of this size are designed to be in aratio of 1:160 to their prototypes. The track

gauge is 9 mm between the rails. Despitebeing so small, N scale works well for mod-elers who don’t have a lot of space at theirdisposal (apartment dwellers, for example)or who prefer to run their trains throughtruly expansive scenery.

Even smaller are Z scale trains. Their pro-portion to the prototype is 1:220, and theyrun on track whose rails are 6.5 mm apart.How tiny is this scale? Well, that 50-foot box-car measures just 23⁄4 inches in Z.

Which size is best?You can see that no one scale is right for

everyone. Look at several of them and con-sider how much space you have to devote toyour trains, whether you want to run longertrains amid towering scenery, and howmuch you can spend on your hobby. Talkwith experienced modelers and learn whatthey like. And don’t worry if you changeyour mind and later decide that a differentscale is a better choice for you.

The important thing is to get startedand move ahead with an open mind. Trybuilding models in one scale and then seehow you feel. Maybe you’ll want to exploresomething larger or smaller. Soon you’ll hitupon a scale that’s right for you. Then pre-pare to have a blast!

liberties may have been taken to createattractive playthings that fit on their track.

“Gauge,” the second aspect of a model’ssize, refers to the space between the rails ofthe track. Precision and consistency areessential when dealing with gauge.Manufacturers must be able to guaranteethat the wheels of all the models theyadvertise as being of that gauge do indeedfit on that size track so all trains can beused together.

The largest of them allToy trains have been built to a variety of

gauges since the 19th century. The largesthave been abandoned because those trainstook up so much room and hobbyists pre-ferred creating realistic layouts with structuresand scenery in the space at their disposal.

The one exception to this trend is gar-den railroading. Big garden railway trains

S C A L E S A T A G L A N C E

Z scale: Trains built to a ratio of1:220. A 75-foot-long locomotivemeasures 4 inches long. The rails ofthe track are 6.5 mm apart.

N scale: Trains built to a ratio of1:160. A 75-foot-long locomotive is51⁄2 inches long. The rails of the trackare spaced 9 mm apart.

HO scale: Trains built to a ratio of1:87. A 75-foot-long locomotive is101⁄2 inches long. The rails of thetrack are 16.5 mm apart.

S scale: Trains built to a ratio of 1:64.A 75-foot-long locomotive is 14inches long. The rails of S gaugetrack are 7⁄8 inches apart.

O scale: Trains built to a ratio of 1:48.A 75-foot-long locomotive is 183⁄4

inches long. The rails of O gaugetrack are 11⁄4 inches apart.

G scale: These trains are built to aratio of 1:22.5. A 75-foot-long loco-motive is 40 inches long. G andother large scale trains run onGauge 1 track with rails 45 mm apart.

HO ScaleN Scale


Creating a Worldin Miniature

This is often combined with an interest inreal railroads – called the “prototype.”

Although there is a tremendous varietyof fine-running, beautifully detailed loco-motives, cars, buildings, and accessoriesavailable to scale model railroaders, this isstill a very personal and creative hobby.

You will put something of yourself –your unique stamp – onto everything youdo. There are no minimum requirementsfor entry, and all levels of participation,skills, and interest are welcome to join inthe fun of model railroading, meaningthere is a place for you.

WHAT IS IT ABOUT SCALE MODELrailroading that makes it such a greathobby? At the heart of it all is our fascina-tion with miniatures of all kinds. We find athrill in studying tiny duplicates of realobjects. Even though a precision model of alocomotive is a work of art in its own right,placing that same model in the context of acomplete setting makes it come to life.There are many ways to enjoy scale modelrailroading, but building a complete modelrailroad that evokes a sense of time andplace is the heart of this hobby.

Many pathsMany scale model railroaders recall

their childhood when a train set allowedthem to exercise control over an imaginaryworld. As adults, they find they have themeans and skills to bring that world to life.

Some model railroaders look upon the hobbyas a time machine that lets them visit a distanttime and place. This 1890s HO scale scene wasphotographed in black and white then colorizedto look like an old postcard.

Narrow gauge railroads blend the mystiqueof the old West with spectacular scenery and thesights and sounds of the “iron horse.”

S C A L E M O D E L R A I L R O A D I N G

Fun in all kinds of waysSo who are these scale model railroad-

ers? They come from all walks of life andenjoy the hobby in different ways. There areeven model railroaders who rarely, if ever,build a model. They enjoy reading aboutthe hobby and dream about the model rail-road they’re going to build “someday.” Wecall these enthusiasts “armchair modelers.”

Other hobbyists build detailed modelsof locomotives or cars. Some focus onbuilding structures and scenery. For them,model railroading is a form of sculpture.They may even look upon the trains as a secondary consideration – providingmovement in an otherwise static world.

Then there are those who focus onmechanical and electrical things to thepoint that they never build scenery.

But the majority of model railroadersfind the greatest enjoyment in combiningall these approaches, tailoring the hobby tosuit their current whims and interests.

A virtual time machineHave you ever wanted to visit an earlier

time or different place? Well, you can usemodel railroading as your ticket – back tothe days of mighty steam locomotives,streamlined passenger trains, or the oldWest. Or you can choose the excitement ofrailroading today.

While some model railroaders build lay-outs that are precise models of real places,just as many modelers enjoy creating aworld that “might have been,” completewith plausible, “free-lance” railroads.

An evolving hobbyDespite the variety of commercial prod-

ucts available, model railroading is a cre-ative endeavor. Some even consider it art.

If two model railroaders started withidentical track plans, their finished layoutswould look nothing like one another. Onemight create a whimsical desert setting,while the other could end up with a busyurban scene.

The track plan is merely a blueprint, adiagram showing where the pieces shouldgo. It provides a starting place but it takesthe scenery and settings, and the creativityof the modeler, to breathe life into the lay-out and make it unique.

Starting smallMost model railroaders start small – a

4x8-foot layout is the most common size, atleast in HO scale (N scale starter layoutscan be even smaller). They add a few build-ings, some scenery, and additional cars andlocomotives as the mood strikes.

For some modelers a small layout pro-vides enough fun for many years of enjoy-ment. More often, though, the empirebuilder in all of us takes over and soonplans are afoot to fill the attic, basement,garage, or spare room.

No matter how big or small no layout isever really finished. There’s always somenew technique to try and something toimprove or change. A model railroad is aform of evolutionary art that changes andgrows with its creator.

Scale model railroading is a great releasefrom the pressures of everyday life. Welearn more about our world, exercise thosecreative energies, and have fun in theprocess. What more could you ask?

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The small size of N scale trains is a great wayto capture big, open spaces, like this view of oneof the Southern Pacific’s famed Daylight trainsracing along the Pacific Coast.

S C A L E M O D E L I N G T E R M S

Benchwork: A sturdy, level framewhich is the foundation of a modelrailroad layout. Wood is the mostpopular material for benchwork.

Free-lance: Modeling that doesn’tclosely follow an actual railroad.

Kitbashing: Taking one or moremodel railroad kits and changingthe construction process or combining parts from different kitsto create a unique model.

Motive power: Another word forlocomotives, the pieces of rollingstock that do the work of movingtrains down the road.

Narrow gauge: Rails spaced closertogether than the standard gauge of4'-81⁄2". Three-foot was the mostcommon narrow gauge in the U. S.

Operation: Running trains on a layout in a way that simulates realrailroad activity.

Power pack: Electrical device usedto supply current to a model trainand control its speed and direction.

Rolling stock: Any piece of railroadequipment that rides on the rails.

Scratchbuilding: Making a modelfrom raw materials and parts, notusing kits.

Sectional track: Prefabricated inter-locking track sections that can beeasily assembled and disassembled.

Weathering: Making new modelslook more realistic by simulating ageand exposure to the elements.

The Colorful Worldof Toy Trains

these trains took liberties with theirappearance so their playthings providedmore fun. Ever since, although the materi-als used for toy trains have changed and themodels have taken on greater realism, kidsand adults have enjoyed playing with them.

A glorious pastThe pleasures of toy trains have only

increased over the ensuing decades until, inthe 21st century, manufacturers are pro-ducing models that rank with the finestever made. To be sure, some collectors insistthat European trains from the late 19th and

early 20th centuries are the best. Othersprefer the large “Standard” or

“Wide” gauge locomotives andcars made in the 1920s and ’30sby such American firms asLionel, Ives, and American

Flyer. The beauty and elegance of thesetrains, they say, have never been surpassed.

Of course, for many enthusiasts, thedecades after World War II represent thegolden age. In the 1940s and ’50s, Lionelcataloged an incredible array of sets,engines, operating cars, and accessories.Families bought a Lionel O gauge train or aslightly smaller S gauge set in the AmericanFlyer line because itseemed to be theperfect gift fortheir children.Millions ofkids learnedthe joys andfun of run-ning a railempire inminiature.

INTERESTED IN TOY TRAINS? GREAT!You’ll be a part of a legacy of colorful, imag-inative replicas that stretches back morethan 150 years and has brought untold joyto millions of children and adults allaround the world. No matter whether youcollect vintage metal or plastic models oroperate the latest locomotives equippedwith state-of-the-art sound systems andcordless remote control, you’ll discover thattoy trains open up a world of pleasure.

The first miniature trains appeared notlong after the first full-size ones hit the railsin the middle decades of the 19th cen-tury. These colorful, heavyreplicas delighted the chil-dren who pulled themalong floors and pushedthem over crude track.The craftsmen making

T O Y T R A I N C O L L E C T I N G A N D O P E R A T I N G

These kids didn’t mind that their play-things were not scale replicas of the trainsrunning on the Santa Fe or Union Pacific.They were too busy transporting tiny pas-sengers and loading what purported to becoal or lumber. So what if the locomotiveswere short and the rolling stock squat.These were toys. No one expected them tobe the ultimate in realism.

Many of these postwar kids grew upto become collectors and operators of

toy trains. Their relaxed attitudeabout the appearance of vintagemodels and their enjoyment of theinnovative movement remainundiminished. The ranks of hob-byists continue to swell as nostalgiafor the trains of their youth andinterest in both newer and olderpieces inspires newcomers to enter

the hobby.

An exciting futureIn addition to collecting toy trains

many enthusiasts operate them,regardless of whether those models

were made half a century ago or lastyear. In fact, the interest in current mod-

els made by such companies as K-Line,Lionel, MTH Electric Trains, and

Williams is booming. That’s becausethis current crop of locomotives,rolling stock, and accessories surpassesin performance and detail anythingproduced in the past.

Increasing numbers of people attractedto these new trains want to build layouts forthem. Some of the folks we call “operators”prefer O gauge railroads with a definite toy-like look to them. Others follow the lead ofscale modelers and insist on realistic struc-tures, proportional accessories, and stun-ning scenery. Their layouts, known in thehobby as “hi-rail,” combine the best ele-ments of toy and scale railroading.

The toy train side of the world’s greatesthobby remains exceptionally vibrant andoffers untold enjoyment to individuals ofall ages. So, whether you decide to collectand display models from the past or oper-ate the outstanding new trains of today,you’ll find great satisfaction in this hobby.You’re sure to develop new skills and makenew friends, all the while having the time ofyour life. Welcome aboard!

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Many toy train enthusiasts enjoy operatingvintage models, such as these Lionel O gaugetrains, either in toy-like or realistic settings.They often fill their layouts with signals, bridges,freight loaders, and houses.

Collectors like to display their old or contem-porary models. The colorful prewar and postwarstreamliners shown here have a nostalgic appealthat touches many hobbyists.

T O Y T R A I N T E R M S

Collector: Toy train enthusiast whoacquires vintage or contemporarymodels to display or study.

Modern-era: Descriptive term fortoy trains manufactured since 1970.

Operator: Toy train enthusiast whoacquires vintage or contemporarymodels to repair, restore, or run ontrack.

Postwar: Descriptive term for toytrains manufactured between 1945and 1969.

Prewar: Descriptive term for toytrains made in 1942 or earlier in the20th century.

Reproduction: Toy train patternedafter an antique that is long out ofproduction.

Restoration: Toy train returned to itsoriginal operating condition andappearance by repair and repainting.


Getting YourFeet Wet

You only need a few basic tools to con-struct a layout, and it’s very likely you havemost of them already. Although wood isstill commonly used to build layouts,thanks to advances in home-building technology layouts made from syntheticmaterial such as Styrofoam are becomingcommon. This provides an ideal solutionfor apartment or condominium dwellerswho don’t own woodworking tools or haveto watch the noise. You can even buy a basicStyrofoam layout in a box from Woodland

Scenics, so you can build a model railroadwithout setting foot in a lumberyard.

Beyond a firm foundationAnd the ease of layout construction

doesn’t end with the benchwork. Ready-to-run locomotives and cars, and track thatcomes with roadbed and ballast, are two ofthe innovations that are making layoutbuilding accessible to more people.

Wiring has always been a challenge tomodel railroaders but command control,

YOU MAY FIND YOURSELF LOOKINGat photographs of finished model railroadsand thinking, “I could never build any-thing like that.” But really you can!

Building a model railroad no matter ifit’s for scale models or toy trains takes time,but the most important skill needed is thewillingness to jump in and try it. Years agoyou had to be part artist and part machin-ist to build a model railroad. But thanks tothe easy-to-use products available todayanyone can build a model railroad.

B U I L D I N G Y O U R F I R S T L A Y O U T

Scenery Techniques

Scenery support1" cardboard strips gluedor stapled into latticework

Scenery shellPlaster cloth or papertowels dipped in plaster

GroundTan latex paint

To build a Styrofoam hill, carve the pieces to the desiredheight and stack them, wedding cake fashion. Then carve the foamto the desired contour. Paint the hill with earth-col-ored latex paint, and add ground foam for tex-ture. Glue in place by misting with rubbing

alcohol and secure with a50/50 mix of white

glue and water.

especially Digital Command Control(DCC) – where each locomotive can becontrolled independently of all others – isbecoming more widespread.

Buildings are another example of howfar the model railroad hobby has come.You can buy easy-to-assemble kits foreverything from a fishing shanty to a hugesteel or paper mill.

For years some modelers felt buildingscenery was too hard. But no more. Anyonecan get superb results with commercialproducts. Grass is represented with foamrubber that’s been ground up and dyed.You can carve your own rocks from plaster,or cast them in latex rubber molds that youcan purchase or make yourself.

This is still a creative hobby, but theseinnovative and easy-to-use products meanyou don’t have to be an artist to be a modelrailroader. Instead of figuring out how todo something, you can use the productsmade specifically for model railroading.Then use the time and effort you save tomake your railroad truly unique.

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S E C T I O N A L T R A C K

SECTIONAL TRACK CONSISTS OF CURVEDand straight sections that can be joinedtogether and then be easily taken apartand reassembled to create differenttrack arrangements. Sectional track iswhat most model railroaders start withsimply because it’s what you’ll find inmany train sets.

Straight, curved, and turnout (switch)sections are available in all the popularscales. Shorter fitter sections, such ashalf curves, 1⁄4 straights, and the likeneeded to complete any plan morecomplex than a basic oval or simple circle are also available. Or you can cut a section of track to fit.

Some sectional track features plasticroadbed sections (the gray sectionbeneath the track shown here). Theselook like real railroad ballast and featureinterlocking tabs that help hold thetrack sections securely in place.

When assembling sectional track do notforce the pieces together. Make sureboth ends of the rails are lined up withthe metal rail joiners and fit snugly withlittle or no gap. If your track has moldedroadbed make the tabs lock securelybetween sections.

Although the standard geometry of sectional track somewhat limits layoutdesign options, for ease and simplicity itcan’t be beat!

Finish coatPlaster or Sculptamold

RocksPlaster cast in rubbermolds or hand-carved

Ground coverGround foam bondedwith dilute matte medium

TreesReady-built, kit-built,or scratchbuilt

BushesLichen or polyfiber, sprayedwith dilute matte medium,sprinkled with ground foam

StreambedSurface painted black,blended into banks with tan

WaterGloss medium,2-part epoxy,or casting resin

WeedsTwine, yarn, etc.


Railroading in theGreat Outdoors

are created using plastic resin. A gardenrailroad brings everything outdoors.Mountains are made of dirt, rivers are realwater, and rocks are actual stone.

While this hobby may be new to you, ithas been around for more than a century,primarily in Great Britain. In the UnitedStates, garden railroading achieved somepopularity in the 1920s and ’30s, but nearlydied out by the end of World War II. Itsresurgence was due in large part to theadvent of colorful LGB trains from Germanyin the late 1960s. As the company introduced

more American-style trains, people tooknotice and garden railways began to springup all over the country. Since then, numer-ous other manufacturers of large-scale trainshave entered the market.

Fun in the sunPart of the fun in this hobby is follow-

ing the practices of a full-size railroad and

DO YOU ENJOY GARDENING? GREAT!You can combine that interest with largetrains. It’s called garden railroading. Thelush greens of the trees, graceful curves ofthe track, and the persistent rumbling of atrain work in harmony to form a slice ofeveryday life in miniature.

The difference between a traditionalindoor model railroad and a garden railwayis the difference between realism and reali-ty. An indoor layout creates the illusion ofreality by using artificial materials – moun-tains are made of plaster or foam, and rivers

A garden railroad is a fascinating addition toany landscape and is a great way for the wholefamily to enjoy model railroading.

G A R D E N R A I L R O A D I N G

working with the landscape. You need toconsider the topography of your land andany existing gardens, trees, or other obsta-cles when planning your railway. If yourbackyard is sloped, you might build woodor metal trestles or raise the line on earth-works and use timber or stone retainingwalls. The choice is strictly up to you. Afterall, it’s your railroad!

You may think that garden railroading isa hobby strictly for gardeners or peoplewho like trains. The truth is that anyone

who loves being outdoors can be a gardenrailroader. Your railroad can reflect thoseinterests. If you enjoy electrical challenges,for instance, you can build a line with acomplex track plan. If you have some car-pentry skills, you can make buildings fromscratch and model a city. And if you like towork with machines, try building andoperating a live-steam locomotive.

The railway gardenThe “garden” part of garden railroading

is another fascinating aspect of this hobby.Many nurseries and specialty plant growerssell dwarf and miniature versions of alltypes of plants. These specimens are idealfor garden railroads since they fit with

the scale of the trains by having smaller features and a slower growth rate than theirfull-size cousins.

Don’t think you have a green thumb?Many beautiful railway gardens have beencreated by people who claim not to be gardeners. There are plenty of resourcesavailable to help get you started.You can startby visiting a local nursery or landscapingcenter. Employees there will be happy toanswer your questions.

Garden railroading is a deep and excep-tionally rewarding hobby anyone can enjoy.It might be the best hobby for your family,because increasing numbers of women,children, and families are enjoying ittogether. Give it a try.

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Notice how the train looks natural in its sur-roundings. Garden railroaders are adept at usingthe dwarf varieties of plants to accent the trainswithout dominating them.

G A R D E N R R T E R M S

Battery power: Onboard batteriesthat provide power to a locomotivethat’s controlled by radio.

Flextrack: Longer sections of trackthat are flexible enough to bend toany desired curvature.

Gauge 1: 45 mm (just over 13⁄4")between the rails. Although a garden railroad can be built to runon any gauge of track, gauge 1 ismost commonly used.

Groundcovers: Low-growing plantsthat spread to cover the ground,useful for filling in areas and preventing weeds and erosion.

Large scale: A generic term thatincludes all trains running on gauge1 track.

Live steam: Miniature locomotivesthat run on steam, just like real loco-motives. They have fire in their fire-boxes and boil water in their boilers.

Railway garden: Garden plantedwith dwarf and miniature plants tobe in scale with the trains.

Roadbed: The material that supports the track and providesdrainage. In garden railways, this ismost often ballast (crushed rock androck dust).

Sectional track: Commercially madetrack that comes in predeterminedstraight lengths and curved sectionswith a set radius.

Water feature: A pond, river, orwaterfall on your railway, oftenincorporating fish and water plants.

G E T T I N G S T A R T E D

Step into the World’sGreatest Hobby

ONE: Read. Read everything you can getyour hands on. It’s the quickest way to getup to speed and help you determine whereyou’d like to focus.

If you’re interested in real (prototype)railroads, there are thousands of books,many of which cover one railroad in great

detail. For toy train collectors and opera-tors, there are books outlining the varioustypes and styles of toy trains produced overthe years. And we’ve never met a gardenrailroader who didn’t have at least a fewgardening books and magazines along withall those railroad publications.

OKAY, YOU’RE ALL SET TO BECOMEa model railroader. You’re convinced thatthis is the world’s greatest hobby, one that’sjust right for you. What do you do now?

Diving into a new hobby means you’rebound to have lots of questions. You alsoface many choices. We can’t answer all yourconcerns in this booklet, which is why you’llfind a listing of helpful resources on the nexttwo pages to get you started. But first we’dlike to offer you a few tips.

TWO: Make it a family activity. Turn offthe television and spend the time workingon the railroad with the rest of the family.Be sure to keep the activity age-appropriatefor children.

THREE: Visit a hobby shop. There are over2000 hobby shops around the country that sell model railroad products. Check yourYellow Pages for shops in your area. These aregreat places to shop and learn. Many hobbyshops offer workshops for beginners. Go togreatesthobby.com and click on AssistanceDirectory to find a shop in your area.

FOUR: Attend a show. There’s nothing likea day at a model train show to get those cre-ative juices flowing. You’ll get a chance to seelayouts in every possible scale and gauge. Thepeople manning the booths or operating thelayouts at these shows are usually hobbyiststhemselves. They’ll be more than willing toanswer your questions. Check your localpaper, the listings in Model Railroadermagazine, or visit www.greatesthobby.comto find a show near you.

FIVE: Get it off the floor! Carpet fuzz candamage locomotive mechanisms. And it’seasy to kick a train that’s on the floor.

Dirt and dust aren’t as much of a prob-lem as they used to be since most trackincluded with today’s train sets features pre-molded roadbed that holds the sectionssecurely together and prevents dirt fromreaching moving parts.

Still, the best solution is a dedicatedplace for your model railroad. Your trainswill be safer and operate better if they’re ele-vated off the floor on a table. The trains willbe easier to see, and building and runningthe railroad will be a whole lot easier onyour back and knees!

SIX: Spruce up the surroundings.Consider installing additional lighting, fin-ish the walls and ceiling (to cut down ondust and dirt, any model railroad’s biggestenemies) and install nice shelves for those

treasures that aren’t on the layout. You’llenjoy spending more time with your hobbyif you have a pleasant, well-lit space.

SEVEN: Start small. Don’t be intimidatedby huge layouts that appear in the maga-zines. Be inspired by them as you enjoydreaming about your “someday” empire,but start off with something less ambitious.

The reason is simple – a small layout ormodule can be completed fairly soon, soyou can explore every aspect of the hobbywhile your enthusiasm is still fully charged.

EIGHT: Start with a published track plan.You’ll be much better off if you follow atrack plan from a book or magazine. Youcan assemble the track confident that thelayout will actually fit.

As you run trains on your first layout,you’ll discover more and more about yourinterests. Maybe you like a lot of switching,or perhaps you prefer to watch the trainrolling through the scenery. Some modelerslike the challenge of running lots of trainsat once. Eventually you can tailor that orig-inal layout to meet your needs.

NINE: Get a basic tool kit. You need only afew tools to be a model railroader. A hobbyknife, screwdrivers, needle files, needlenosepliers, tweezers, and a scale rule will get youoff to a good start.

TEN: Have fun. Lots of fun. The only truemeasure of success of any hobby is howmuch you enjoy participating in it. Modelrailroaders all over the world are having ablast doing what they love. Here’s yourchance to do the same.

15greatesthobby.com

This basic assortment of tools is all you needto get started in model railroading. Over timeyour collection of tools with grow and changewith your interests.

You can run your trains on the floor but you’llbe happier if they’re on a dedicated table likethis one. Model railroad benchwork doesn’t haveto be fancy, but it should be sturdy.


Where DoI Go Next?YOU’VE MADE THE DECISION THATmodel railroading would make an idealhobby. Now what? To help you take thenext step we’ve compiled this list ofresources. It’s by no means all-inclusivebut will provide a good starting point.You’ll find information on train shows,publications, videos, and Web sites withthe appropriate contact information.

Hobby Shops

To find a shop in your area, check yourYellow Pages or check the hobby shop directories at the back of most model railroad magazines. To locate a shop thatoffers workshops for beginners, go to greatesthobby.com.

Train Shows

There are dozens of shows held through-out the year all across the country. Checkthe Coming Events section of ModelRailroader magazine for details. There areseveral sponsors of large shows held indifferent cities. Contact them directly forshow times and locations:

Greenberg Shows, 1393 Progress Way,Suite 907, Eldersburg, MD 21784, 410-795-7447, greenbergshows.com

Great American Train Show, P. O. Box1745, Lombard, IL 60148, 630-834-0652,gats.com

National Train Show, (an annual showsponsored by the National Model RailroadAssociation), 4121 Cromwell Rd.,Chattanooga, TN 37421, nmra.org

Scale Model Railroading

PublicationsModel Railroader, P. O. Box 1612,Waukesha WI 53187-1612, 800-533-6644,modelrailroader.com

Canadian Railway Modeller, Box 99,Station F, 355 Henderson Hwy.,Winnepeg, MB Canada R2L 2A5,201-669-0168, cdnrwymod.com

Mainline Modeler, 13110 Beverly Park Rd.,Mukilteo, WA 98275-5847, 800-810-7660

Model Railroad News, P. O. Box 1080,Merlin, OR 97532-1080, 541-955-1096,modelrailroadnews.com

Model Railroading, 2600 S. Parker Rd., Ste.1-211, Aurora, CO 80014, 303-338-1700,modelrailroadingmag.com

N Scale, 13110 Beverly Park Rd., Mukilteo,WA 98275-5847, 800-810-7660

N Scale Railroading, P. O. Box 77296,Seattle, WA 98177-0296, 206-364-1295

Narrow Gauge & Short Line Gazette, P. O.Box 26, Los Altos, CA 94023-0026, 800-545-4102

Railmodel Journal, 2403 Champa St.,Denver, CO 80205-2621, 303-296-1600

Railroad Model Craftsman, P. O. Box 700,Newton, NJ 07860-0700, 973-383-3355,rrmodelcraftsman.com

Ztrack Magazine Ltd., 6142 NorthcliffBlvd., Dublin OH 43016, 614-764-1703,ztrack.com

BooksBasic Model Railroading: Getting Started inthe Hobby, Kalmbach Publishing Co.,800-533-6644, kalmbachbooks.com

N Scale Model Railroading: GettingStarted in the Hobby, by MartyMcGuirk, Kalmbach Publishing Co.,800-533-6644, kalmbachbooks.com

Practical Guide to HO Model Railroading,

R E S O U R C E S

presented by Model Railroader magazine,Kalmbach Publishing Co., 800-533-6644,kalmbachbooks.com

VideosAllen Keller Productions, 7410 LebanonChurch Rd., Talbott, TN 37877, 423-586-7928, allenkeller.comVideo tours of great layouts

Green Frog Productions, Ltd., 4880 LowerRoswell Rd., Ste. 40-419, Marietta, GA30068, 800-227-1336, greenfrog.comHow-to and prototype videos

Model Railroad Scenery Made Easy, pre-sented by Model Railroader magazine,800-533-6644, kalmbachbooks.com

Pentrex, P. O. Box 94911, Pasadena, CA91109-4911, 800-950-9333Layout visit and prototype videos

Clubs and associationsNational Model Railroad Association,4121 Cromwell Rd., Chattanooga, TN423-899-4869, nmra.org

National Association of S Gaugers, 280Gordon Rd., Matawan, NJ 07747,trainweb.com/nasg

Ntrak, 15913 Brawner

17greatesthobby.com

VideosI Love Toy Trains series, TM Books &Video, Box 279, New Buffalo, MI 49117,800-892-2822, tmbooks-video.com

Clubs and associationsAmerican Flyer Collectors Club, P. O. Box13269, Pittsburgh, PA 15243

Lionel Collectors Club of America,Business Office, P. O. Box 479, LaSalle, IL61301, lionelcollectors.org

Lionel Operating Train Society, P. O. Box62240, Cincinnati, OH 45241,lots-trains.org

Toy Train Collectors Society, Louis A. Bohn,109 Howedale Dr., Rochester, NY 14616

Toy Train Operating Society, 25 W. WalnutSt., Ste. 308, Pasadena, CA 91103,626-578-0673, ttos.org

Train Collectors Association, P. O. Box468, Strasburg, PA 17579, 717-687-8623,traincollectors.org

Garden Railroading

PublicationsGarden Railways, P. O. Box 1612,Waukesha, WI 53187-1612, 800-533-6644,gardenrailways.com

Steam in the Garden, 6629 SR 38, NewarkValley, NY 13811, 607-642-8119,steamup.com

BooksGarden Railroading: Getting Started in theHobby, Kalmbach Publishing Co.,800-533-6644, kalmbachbooks.com

A Beginner’s Guide to Large-ScaleModel Railroading, by Marc Horovitz

and Russ Larson, Kalmbach PublishingCo., 800-533-6644, kalmbachbooks.com

Explore the World of LGB, edited by DavidBuffington. Available through LGB of

America, 6444 Nancy Ridge Drive,San Diego, CA 92121, 858-535-9387

Getting Started in Garden Railroading,by Allan Miller, Krause Publications,715-445-2214, krause.com

The Large-Scale Model RailroadingHandbook, by Robert Schleicher, KrausePublications, 715-445-2214, krause.com

VideosBuilding a Basic Garden Railroad,Kalmbach Publishing Co., 800-533-6644,kalmbachbooks.com

Broadcast Images, Inc., 9340 Hazard Way,Ste. B, San Diego, CA 92123, 858-974-7999Tours of garden railways

Digital Video Images, Inc., P. O. Box 2584,Littleton, CO 80161-2584, 303-220-8998,modelrailroadvideos.comHow-to and prototype videos

Sidestreet Bannerworks, P. O. Box 460222,Denver, CO 80224, 303-377-7785,sidestreet.infoBeginning garden railway and live steam videos

Clubs and associationsLGB Model Railroad Club, Inc., 1854 ErinDr., Altoona, PA 16602, 814-962-4326

A listing of regional and local clubs can befound in the Club Directory of each issueof Garden Railways magazine.

Dr., Dumfries, VA 22026, ntrak.org

A listing of regional and local clubs can befound in the Coming Events section ineach issue of Model Railroader magazine.

Toy Trains

PublicationsClassic Toy Trains, P. O. Box 1612,Waukesha, WI 53187-1612, 800-533-6644,classtrain.com

O Gauge Railroading, 65 S. Broad St.,Nazareth, PA 18064-0239, 610-759-0406

S Gaugian, 7236 W. Madison St., ForestPark, IL 60130, 708-366-1973

BooksToy Train Collecting and Operating, byJohn Grams, Kalmbach Publishing Co.,800-533-6644, kalmbachbooks.com

Greenberg Pocket Price Guides, KalmbachPublishing Co., 800-533-6644,kalmbachbooks.com

The O Gauge Railroading Primer, MyronG. Biggar Group, 610-759-0406

Your First O Gauge Layout, by Mike Ashey,Kalmbach Publishing Co., 800-533-6644,

kalmbachbooks.com

A L L S C A L E S A N D T Y P E S

greatesthobby.comThis site has everything you need toget started in model trains. Locatelocal hobby shops and clubs in yourarea, find answers to frequentlyasked questions, and much more.

trains.comProvides up-to-the-minute informa-tion about all scales and types oftrains. You’ll find the latest newsreleases, train shows, new model railroad products, and even fun and games for kids.

hobbyretailer.com Your best resource to locating ahobby shop anywhere in NorthAmerica. Simply type in a city orstate and hit return to find shops in your area.

Tracks Ahead program on PBS:mptv.org/Trax_main.htm This half-hour show features collections, layouts, and garden rail-roads in all scales of trains. To ordervideo tapes of past episodes, call800-9RAILTV (972-4588).


P H O T O G A L L E R Y

You can almost hear the flanges screech inprotest as this Lionel no. 624 Chesapeake & Ohioswitcher eases around the elevated loop on this Ogauge layout. Postwar accessories andstructures combined with contemporary scenerytechniques give this layout a broad appeal.

While some modelers pre fer the nostalgia ofs team there is no denying the exc i te m e nt of re a lra i l roading tod ay. Mod e rn high-horsepower diesell oco m o t i ve s, l i ke this HO m od e l ,h ave a real no-nonsense appe a ra n ce that says “ It’s time to getthe job done.”

The Wide Wo rl dof Model Ra i l ro a d i n g

OVER THE NEXT FEW PAGES YOU’LLtour the exciting world of model railroad-ing. Detailed miniature worlds, colorfulcollections, intriguing gardens, and excit-ing toy train displays – all these and muchmore await you.One thing you can be cer-tain of is that any railroad possibility youcan think of is the sp ecial interest of somemodeler, somewhere.

19greatesthobby.com


P H O T O G A L L E R Y

Plantings can add diversity to your gardenrailroad. This railroad, called the Rustin &Decrepit, uses plants of different heights, tex-tures, and colors to suggest a lush valley.

Toy trains have been a holiday tradition forgenerations.This O gauge layout captures thenostalgic feelings so many folks have for wintrymornings and vintage trains. You can enjoy thatconnection too.

21greatesthobby.com

An HO scale Northern Pacific steam locomo-tive emerges from a tunnel and crosses a woodtrestle on its way to another small town. Therethe locals will be gathered around the depot t ohear the news from down the line.


S P O N S O R S

Life-Like Products, Inc.1600 Union Avenue

Baltimore, MD 21211-1998410-889-1023

www.lifelikeproducts.com

Digitrax Inc.450 Cemetery St. #206

Norcross, GA 30071770-441-7992

www.digitrax.com

W H AT IS THE WO R L D’S GREATEST HOBBY CAMPA I G N ?Now that you know what the world’s greatest hobby is youmay be interested in knowing more about the publicitycampaign and the sponsors who are involved in gettingthe word out about model railroading.

The World’s Greatest Hobby campaign is an effort toprom o te model ra i l roading thro u gh all ch a n n el s .Initiated by Kalmbach Publishing, one of the largestp u bl i s h ers of h obby magazines and boo k s , i n clu d i n gModel Railroader, Classic Toy Trains, and Garden Railways,the effort has grown to include the active support of other modelrailroad publishers,model train manufacturers,the Model RailroadIndustry Association,and a variety of model railroad organizationsand businesses.

The campaign uses advertising and public relations to promotethe hobby. More imp ortant for you, the campaign is dedicated tohelping folks interested in model railroading get off to a solid start.

Perhaps the most unique aspect of this ef fort is the active su pportof vo lu n teer groups and indivi dual hobbyi s t s . These “a m b a s s adors”a reord i n a ry model ra i l roaders who love the hobby and want to let the re s tof the world know how en j oya ble it is.

Perhaps you received this booklet when you attended a modelrailroad show, perhaps curiosity compelled you to visit the localhobby shop where you learned a little about model railroading, orperhaps you heard a presentation about model railroading fromone of those ambassadors.

The World’s Greatest Hobby campaign exists primarily as ameans to coordinate these g rass roots efforts. It also distrib-

utes videos, introductory booklets, and other support, aswell as providing promotional material to the sponsorsof all kinds and sizes of train shows.

The campaign also maintains greatesthobby.com,a Web site with lots of tips and helpful information

designed to help you get started.If you’re involved with an organization – club, civic

organization, church or school group, youth leadership coun-cil, or any other interested audience that would like to learn moreabout model railroading, visit the Web site or contact us at 877-426-5082 to find a member of our speakers bureau who is willingto share his or her hobby experience with you.

Today’s model trains, structures, and accessories are all betterthan they’ve ever been. It truly is a wonderful time to be part of theWorld’s Greatest Hobby and we’re here to help make your transi-tion from rank beginner to seasoned model railroader smooth,simple, and fun.

World’s Greatest HobbyP.O. Box 1612

Waukesha,WI 53187-1612www.greatesthobby.com

877-426-5082

Atlas Model Railroad Co. Inc.603 Sweetland Ave.

Hillside, NJ 07205-1799908-687-0880

www.atlasrr.com

Märklin,Inc .16988 W. Victor Rd.

P.O. Box 510559New Berlin,WI 53151

262-784-8854www.marklin.com

Bachmann Industries1400 E. Erie Ave.

Philadelphia, PA 19124215-533-1600

www.bachmanntrains.com

Micro-Trains Line351 Rogue RiverPkwy.

P.O. Box 1200Talent, OR 97540-1200

514-535-1755www.micro-trains.com

Kalmbach Publishing Co.21027 Crossroads Circle

P.O. Box 1612Wa u ke s h a , WI 53187-1612

262-796-8776www.kalmbach.com

The Model RailroadIndustry Association303 Freeport Rd.

Pittsburgh, PA 15215412-781-2709www.mria.org

Kato USA100 Remington Rd.

Schaumburg, IL 60173847-781-9500

www.katousa.com

Wm.K. WalthersP.O. Box 3039

Milwaukee, WI 53201-3039414-527-0770

www.walthers.com

WALTHERS

Documents

Getting starting with model trains.pdf