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Is it Wrong to Mix Types of Track on Your Model Railroad Layout?

July 21, 2011 By 1 Comment
Model Railroad Track

Here’s a question from a recent Model Train Tips subscriber: Is it wrong to mix copper plated and steel tracks in a layout? The first thing I thought to myself was, “I don’t believe they make copper plated track.” Well, since I’m still learning, I figured I’d better check this first. I opened up my copy of Model Train Help by Robert Anderson and turned to the section titled What Are Tracks Made Of? Re-reading this section confirmed that model railroad track available today is made of brass, zinc-coated steel, nickel silver and steel. Based on this, I’m guessing the … [Read more...]

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Boulders and Gravel for Your Model Train Layout

July 20, 2011 By 2 Comments
Rocks

Josh sent in this tip for using common rocks to model boulders for your model train scenery: If you want to add boulders to your HO, N, O scale train set, go out to your yard or a street and find regular rocks and shave the bottoms flat and glue them to your layout. This way you can use the shavings for gravel and this process is one hundred percent free. How have you used rocks or similar material on your model train layout? Share your technique in the comments area below. Do you have a tip or technique you’d like to share with Model Train Tips readers? Use the contact form on the … [Read more...]

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How to Create Mulch for Your HO Scale Model Train Layout

July 20, 2011 By 3 Comments
Pencil Shavings for Mulch

Josh sent in this tip for using pencil shavings to model mulch for your HO scale layout scenery: If you take a pencil sharpener and empty out the shavings into a plastic bag or Ziploc bag and crush them up it makes good mulch for your HO scale train set or any scale if it matters. Have you used pencil shavings in other ways on your model train layout? Share your technique in the comments area below. Do you have a tip or technique you’d like to share with Model Train Tips readers? Use the contact form on the Contact Model Train Tips page to send it in. … [Read more...]

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Developing a Paint Scheme for Your Model Railroad

June 15, 2011 By 2 Comments
Chessie System

By Mike Rountree If you're the creative type who just has to model a railroad that never existed, rather than adopt a specific prototype, then sooner or later you're going to need to invent a color scheme for your fictional pike. How do you come up with something that looks plausible yet unique? While it may seem that you have a blank slate to work with, and can do anything at all, you would do well to restrain yourself based on some research and understanding. Otherwise, you can end up with a fairly outlandish scheme that doesn't feel right, as much as you might like the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Featured, Freight Car Tips, Locomotives Tips, Passenger Car Tips, Scenery Tips Tagged With: , , , ,

Model Railroad Scenery: Building Placement

June 9, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Loading Dock

By Mike Rountree Model railroaders often focus on scenery in terms of rocks and trees, without considering how the built forms, especially commercial and residential architecture, will fit into the scene. In the real world, much of the scenic context is determined by the houses, roads, stores, other man-made features. These can look out-of-place or otherwise wrong if they are just dropped onto a layout without proper planning and understanding. Selective compression is a familiar term to most model railroaders, referring to our need to retain the distinctive character of a building … [Read more...]

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New Facebook Page for Model Train Tips

May 30, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Facebook

If you’re on Facebook, check out the new Page for Model Train Tips and be sure to “Like” it to see updates in your newsfeed. I’ve been thinking about switching over from a Group to a Page on Facebook for several months but wasn’t that motivated to make the change. Facebook is making changes to Groups, and while there’s nothing wrong with that, I figured it was time to pull the trigger on making the switch. While there is the possibility of more interaction between members of a Group, a Page gives me more flexibility for posting updates. With a Facebook Page you won’t … [Read more...]

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Tips For Using Block Foam in Your Model Railroad Layout Scenery

May 30, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Mountain Scenery

By Jim Hardwick One of the most often used items in model train scenery is Styrofoam. It is so light it doesn't add any weight to your setup, and that comes in handy when you move your layout around for display. The composition makes it very easy to whittle into any shape you want for rolling hills, mountains, cliffs, and all sorts of items that require bulking up. There are two drawbacks to Styrofoam. First, it doesn't hold up to certain chemicals and can dissolve under the right conditions. Don't even think about touching it with fire because it produces a deadly gas. The second … [Read more...]

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Popular Model Train Tips Articles from the Past 30 Days

April 14, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Model Train Tips

I thought this might be a good time to highlight some of the most popular articles from the past 30 days. I’m not referring to articles published in the last 30 days, although some are, but rather articles that have been viewed the most over the past 30 days. The HO Scale Model Train - Benchwork and Track Planning Tips For Great Layouts This article by Mike Foster emphasizes the importance of proper planning of both the bench work and the track layout. Well designed bench work becomes the foundation of your new layout. Mountains and Ground in Your Model Train Scenery This … [Read more...]

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Mountains and Ground in Your Model Train Scenery

March 30, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Noch Ground Cover

By Reynolds Maxwell Mathes-Redd When a hobbyist can put track, scenery and structures together in an engaging design, the magic happens. The model train scenery transforms the railroad into a miniature world often depicting an historic scene. The enjoyment of your miniature world of working railroad and realistic scenery spreads to all who see it. What a sense of fulfillment you must have. Anyone who sees your work will know it took planning and lots of study of the real world to make it as realistic as possible. For purposes of this article landscaping and scenery are used … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Scenery Tips Tagged With: , , , ,

Weathering Your Model Trains and Scenery

March 23, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Weathered Boxcar

By Dan B Morgan Why should you weather your model trains and scenery? Whether you are just getting started with model trains, or you have been enjoying this hobby for a long time, there are many different things that you can do to make your model train layout look more realistic. You may have already spent a lot of time making sure that your models are to scale, but if you want your model railroad to look real, you have to avoid it looking too new! Having objects in your train set look too shiny or too new can be quite distracting. This is why you need to think about how to weather … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Featured, Scenery Tips, Weathering Tips Tagged With: , , , ,
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