12 Quick Tips From My Model Train Help Ebook:
1. Quick Scenery Tip:
You don't need to pay retail for everything. Think about what you could use from around your house. Many
household items that normally go in the bin can be used on your layout so next time you throw something
out; think again.
For example, tea leaves, saw dust and even cardboard tubes. Try crushing an old brick, or tiles, into small
pieces and scatter the pieces around to look like small rocks. Those styro-foam meat trays you throw away
can be carved to make realistic cliffs and walls. And, even though you will need to buy things, you don't need
to buy everything at once. You'll get more enjoyment when your railroad is a developing work in progress.
7. Quick Train Set Storage Tip:
If you need to store your electric trains, long or short term, then here's what to do. Wrap unboxed trains in a
a thick layer of white paper towels, newspaper (unprinted), or butchers paper. Don't use printed newspaper
or any colored paper as the inks and dyes can run in humid or moist conditions. This can ruin the paint and
decals of your models.
Be careful where you store your wrapped trains as you won't want them damaged by roof leaks or garage
floods. A good idea is to put your wrapped trains in a plastic storage box as these are usually safer than
cardboard boxes that could soak up moisture. The important thing is to avoid the rusting of any metal parts.
If you collect tinplate trains be particularly careful because moisture damage can happen quickly.
8. Quick Locomotive Tip:
No one wants a locomotive that you have to push to get it going. You don't want a locomotive that suddenly
speeds up and falls off he tracks. If you want your model trains to run well, be prepared to pay good money
for a good quality locomotive. Buy the best locomotive you can afford. Buy a high-performing workhorse and
it will pay for itself in no time with the pleasure it gives you over many years.
9. Quick Model Railroad Safety Tip:
When space is limited in the family home, model railroaders often try and think outside the square when
locating model railway layouts. A lot of people decide that a loft or attic is a great 'out of the way' place to set
up a model train set. Yes, a loft can be a good solution, but be careful and do your homework first.
Unless the loft has been properly converted there is a danger you may overload the ceiling joists (resulting
in cracked ceilings in the room below). There could also be the possibility of overloading the entire roof
trusses resulting in a collapse which would be an even worse scenario.
Always seek professional advice, because some roofs cannot be modified safely to accommodate a load
bearing down from "inside" the roof. If in doubt consult an engineer, or at least an architect before locating
your train set in a loft.
10. Quick Layout Scenery Tip:
Splattered mud is easily simulated with an old toothbrush. Dip the brush in diluted water based paint and
flick splattered 'mud' (paint) on to the model. If you are weathering a freight car, work from the underside as
mud splashes up from below. Don't over-do the splattering effect, because a little can be more realistic. This
technique can be messy so wear some old clothes.
11. Quick Scenery Tip:
This tip can help you avoid damage to your model train layout. Consider attaching foreground scenery so it
will break away if anything hits it during an operating session. It's much easier to glue telegraph pole, figure,
sign post, tree, or vehicle back in place - than to glue it back together. White glue is good for attaching
these details. White glue will bond to non porous materials enough to hold them in place, without attaching
them so securely they break.
12. Quick Tree Making Tip:
When constructing a model railway layout there is a temptation to make trees too small. This is probably
because many people live in suburban areas built less than 40 years ago. In real life mature trees can be
huge with some trees being 80-100 feet or more in height.
If you are modeling conifers or other large trees here's what to do. Take your longest passenger car, turn it
up on end, and make the trees taller, up to half again as tall.
Further Model Railroad Reading:
Find out how to build a model railway layout from start to finish. Get model railroad designs for different
scale model train layouts including model train track layouts, plans and track design parts lists.
Model railroad tips
Using an airbrush on your model railroad layout
More Help With Model Trains and Model Railroads <<< Click Here To discover more
1. Quick Scenery Tip:
You don't need to pay retail for everything. Think about what you could use from around your house. Many
household items that normally go in the bin can be used on your layout so next time you throw something
out; think again.
For example, tea leaves, saw dust and even cardboard tubes. Try crushing an old brick, or tiles, into small
pieces and scatter the pieces around to look like small rocks. Those styro-foam meat trays you throw away
can be carved to make realistic cliffs and walls. And, even though you will need to buy things, you don't need
to buy everything at once. You'll get more enjoyment when your railroad is a developing work in progress.
7. Quick Train Set Storage Tip:
If you need to store your electric trains, long or short term, then here's what to do. Wrap unboxed trains in a
a thick layer of white paper towels, newspaper (unprinted), or butchers paper. Don't use printed newspaper
or any colored paper as the inks and dyes can run in humid or moist conditions. This can ruin the paint and
decals of your models.
Be careful where you store your wrapped trains as you won't want them damaged by roof leaks or garage
floods. A good idea is to put your wrapped trains in a plastic storage box as these are usually safer than
cardboard boxes that could soak up moisture. The important thing is to avoid the rusting of any metal parts.
If you collect tinplate trains be particularly careful because moisture damage can happen quickly.
8. Quick Locomotive Tip:
No one wants a locomotive that you have to push to get it going. You don't want a locomotive that suddenly
speeds up and falls off he tracks. If you want your model trains to run well, be prepared to pay good money
for a good quality locomotive. Buy the best locomotive you can afford. Buy a high-performing workhorse and
it will pay for itself in no time with the pleasure it gives you over many years.
9. Quick Model Railroad Safety Tip:
When space is limited in the family home, model railroaders often try and think outside the square when
locating model railway layouts. A lot of people decide that a loft or attic is a great 'out of the way' place to set
up a model train set. Yes, a loft can be a good solution, but be careful and do your homework first.
Unless the loft has been properly converted there is a danger you may overload the ceiling joists (resulting
in cracked ceilings in the room below). There could also be the possibility of overloading the entire roof
trusses resulting in a collapse which would be an even worse scenario.
Always seek professional advice, because some roofs cannot be modified safely to accommodate a load
bearing down from "inside" the roof. If in doubt consult an engineer, or at least an architect before locating
your train set in a loft.
10. Quick Layout Scenery Tip:
Splattered mud is easily simulated with an old toothbrush. Dip the brush in diluted water based paint and
flick splattered 'mud' (paint) on to the model. If you are weathering a freight car, work from the underside as
mud splashes up from below. Don't over-do the splattering effect, because a little can be more realistic. This
technique can be messy so wear some old clothes.
11. Quick Scenery Tip:
This tip can help you avoid damage to your model train layout. Consider attaching foreground scenery so it
will break away if anything hits it during an operating session. It's much easier to glue telegraph pole, figure,
sign post, tree, or vehicle back in place - than to glue it back together. White glue is good for attaching
these details. White glue will bond to non porous materials enough to hold them in place, without attaching
them so securely they break.
12. Quick Tree Making Tip:
When constructing a model railway layout there is a temptation to make trees too small. This is probably
because many people live in suburban areas built less than 40 years ago. In real life mature trees can be
huge with some trees being 80-100 feet or more in height.
If you are modeling conifers or other large trees here's what to do. Take your longest passenger car, turn it
up on end, and make the trees taller, up to half again as tall.
Further Model Railroad Reading:
Find out how to build a model railway layout from start to finish. Get model railroad designs for different
scale model train layouts including model train track layouts, plans and track design parts lists.
Model railroad tips
Using an airbrush on your model railroad layout
More Help With Model Trains and Model Railroads <<< Click Here To discover more
| Are You Interested in Model Trains and Model Railroads? Click here to buy the Model Train Help Ebook Click here to get FREE SAMPLE PAGES of the Model Train Help Ebook |
“My ebook includes lots of quick &
easy model railroad tips and ideas to
help you build the perfect model
railroad layout.”
easy model railroad tips and ideas to
help you build the perfect model
railroad layout.”
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2. Quick Locomotive Tip:
Your train can stall when the contact with the metal rails is poor. This is because
your locomotive picks up its electrical current from the metal rails through its
metal wheels.
Over time, dirt can build up, so it is important you keep the wheels clean and
free of any buildup of dirt or grime. The point of contact where your locomotive
wheel meets the rail is tiny so must be kept clean at all times. Dirt, debris and
dust can easily obstruct the locomotive wheel-to-rail contact causing the train to
stall. Remember, plastic wheels don’t conduct electricity.
3. Quick Rolling Stock Tip:
Before you buy a model train passenger car check to see if you can see detailed
interior seating. Many passenger cars don't have interiors at all. The problem is;
they can look like a toy train.
One simple solution is to buy some commercial window tinting film from a hobby,
hardware, or car accessory store. You'll only need a small amount. Simply attach
the tinting film to the inside of the clear plastic windows on the passenger cars.
The tinting film will look like polarized glass. It will be difficult to look through, so
will hide the poorly finished interior.
4. Quick Track Maintenance Tip:
A mirror can be a helpful tool to use on your model railway layout. A small mirror,
or mirror tile, can be helpful when looking for kinks, dips and misalignments in
track.
To check alignments simply set the mirror on the edge on the track rail. The
mirror will enable you to inspect the alignment of the rails, not by looking directly
along the rails, but instead by looking into the mirror at the image of the rails.
This will save you from stretching or bending over (not so easy as we get older).
When you lean over and look carefully along a rail the track can appear to be
very smooth. However, by looking at the image of the rail in a mirror, kinks and
dips in the track are often easier to spot.
The mirror can also prove useful when placed alongside the train track to view
the action of trucks and wheels while the train moves over a trouble spot.
Also, consider using a mirror when laying track in difficult locations and even
train track that is out in the open.
5. Quick Scenery Tip:
To add realism to a scene make it look like a car has driven through the dirt or
grass. After you have put down the grass, take an eraser and rub off some
grass to look like tire tracks. This technique can be very effective!
6. Quick Weathering Tip:
Shiny surfaces can spoil the realism of any model railroad layout. Shiny surfaces
can make model buildings and model trains look fake as though they have just
come off a shop shelf. A simple way to remove that shine is to over-spray the
structure or rolling stock with Dullcote (Testors #1260 clear flat lacquer
overcoat). Dullcote is available at most hobby stores and comes in a small spray
can like many other model car colors.
Your train can stall when the contact with the metal rails is poor. This is because
your locomotive picks up its electrical current from the metal rails through its
metal wheels.
Over time, dirt can build up, so it is important you keep the wheels clean and
free of any buildup of dirt or grime. The point of contact where your locomotive
wheel meets the rail is tiny so must be kept clean at all times. Dirt, debris and
dust can easily obstruct the locomotive wheel-to-rail contact causing the train to
stall. Remember, plastic wheels don’t conduct electricity.
3. Quick Rolling Stock Tip:
Before you buy a model train passenger car check to see if you can see detailed
interior seating. Many passenger cars don't have interiors at all. The problem is;
they can look like a toy train.
One simple solution is to buy some commercial window tinting film from a hobby,
hardware, or car accessory store. You'll only need a small amount. Simply attach
the tinting film to the inside of the clear plastic windows on the passenger cars.
The tinting film will look like polarized glass. It will be difficult to look through, so
will hide the poorly finished interior.
4. Quick Track Maintenance Tip:
A mirror can be a helpful tool to use on your model railway layout. A small mirror,
or mirror tile, can be helpful when looking for kinks, dips and misalignments in
track.
To check alignments simply set the mirror on the edge on the track rail. The
mirror will enable you to inspect the alignment of the rails, not by looking directly
along the rails, but instead by looking into the mirror at the image of the rails.
This will save you from stretching or bending over (not so easy as we get older).
When you lean over and look carefully along a rail the track can appear to be
very smooth. However, by looking at the image of the rail in a mirror, kinks and
dips in the track are often easier to spot.
The mirror can also prove useful when placed alongside the train track to view
the action of trucks and wheels while the train moves over a trouble spot.
Also, consider using a mirror when laying track in difficult locations and even
train track that is out in the open.
5. Quick Scenery Tip:
To add realism to a scene make it look like a car has driven through the dirt or
grass. After you have put down the grass, take an eraser and rub off some
grass to look like tire tracks. This technique can be very effective!
6. Quick Weathering Tip:
Shiny surfaces can spoil the realism of any model railroad layout. Shiny surfaces
can make model buildings and model trains look fake as though they have just
come off a shop shelf. A simple way to remove that shine is to over-spray the
structure or rolling stock with Dullcote (Testors #1260 clear flat lacquer
overcoat). Dullcote is available at most hobby stores and comes in a small spray
can like many other model car colors.
| Click here to buy the Model Train Help Ebook Click here to get FREE SAMPLE PAGES of the Model Train Help Ebook |
Clean wheel and rail
contact is important on
model railroads.
contact is important on
model railroads.
The Model Train ebook
includes step by step
scenery building ideas.
includes step by step
scenery building ideas.
White glue can be very
useful on model railways.
useful on model railways.
The Model Train Help
ebook includes useful tips
for laying ballast around
tracks .
ebook includes useful tips
for laying ballast around
tracks .
Good track maintenance
is important for smooth
running of model
railroads.
is important for smooth
running of model
railroads.
The ebook includes plans
and advice on DCC wiring
and Analog wiring.
and advice on DCC wiring
and Analog wiring.