Model railroad wiring for DC control systems can be confusing for the model train beginner. This is because, unlike DCC, you have to create electrical sections of track to run 1 locomotive at a time.

The majority of model train layout problems come from a lack of sufficient electrical power on certain parts of the track. This is usually caused by a power pack that is too small for the model railroad track you have built.

Most starter train sets are manufactured to achieve an entry level price. The power packs in these starter train sets have just enough power to drive the train around the track supplied. As soon as you expand the track, that power pack has to drive the power a longer way and this is where the problems start.

If the power pack is not strong enough, you may have a very low voltage at the furthest point away from the power pack. This results in your engine running slow or stalling at that point. You also run the risk of burning out your power pack, or it overheating, by doing this. This can be dangerous and should be avoided.

Another common model railroad wiring problem is using electrical cables that are too small. By using wiring that is too small, it restricts the electricity flow getting to the end of the wiring. This results in a voltage drop at the end of the cable. It is important to check what current you will be drawing at full load and use the electrical wiring that is designed to carry that full current with some extra capacity.

I have many other model railroad wiring tips which I’ll share in other articles.

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3. How Model Train Track Works And What Can Go Wrong

HO scale model train layouts are incredibly popular. However in the United Kingdom they are referred to OO scale. They are not exactly the same but very close.

The popularity has come about because you don’t need a lot of space to enjoy a well detailed model railroad.

Model Railways in HO scale are 1:87, which means they are 1/87 the size of a real train.

This is a great size to be able to handle, but not too small that you struggle to see all the detail. HO model railways can be easily created on a 4 foot x 8 foot table or as large as you want to go.

Adding some level of realism to HO scale model train layouts is so much easier than the larger G scale or the small z scale. And expanding a HO scale model railway is easy, with the huge amount of accessories available.

You will find it to be the most economical scale to model with. Because of the huge demand, the manufacturers have been able to mass produce accessories for HO scale model train layouts. This has obviously brought the price down and provided a huge amount of choice.

I have seen many great starter electric train sets with digital command control for as low as $150.00. In the past I would have warned you not to purchase these starter electric train sets because you would run into a problem when you tried to expand it.

Usually the problems started with a power pack that would just handle the small oval track, 1 locomotive and no more. As soon as you added more track the power pack would struggle to send the power all the way around the track and you would end up with varying voltages around the track. This resulted in the locomotive starting and stopping erratically.

Nowadays, the starter electric train sets come with digital command control which eliminates the voltage drop problem and some are capable of handling up to 10 locomotives. They are amazing!

So, if you are looking at HO scale model train layouts, you may want to start there.

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2. S Scale Model Trains – A Bit of History
3. Model Railroad Layouts

We all make mistakes when creating a model train layout, but the important thing is to learn from them, or avoid making mistakes in the first place.

One of the most common mistakes is to choose the wrong scale when getting started in the hobby of model railroading. Talk with others in the hobby – we all have our preferences on scales (otherwise known as biased opinions).

You will need to do plenty of research and measure how much space you have available. Many beginner railroaders start collecting one scale of model trains only to find that there are more accessories in another scale. They either start all over or start mixing scales (ouch!).

Have a picture in your own mind before you start on what you want your layout to represent before you rush out and buy anything. Do you want diesel or steam locomotives, DC or DCC, a one level, or multi-level layout, or maybe an around the wall shelf layout? There are so many questions to ask and it is better to answer them sooner rather than later.

By the way, a shelf layout is usually built around the wall and typically sticks out about 12 inches from the wall (there are exceptions). A backdrop can provide depth and interest.

Model railroading is a wonderful hobby in so many ways. It involves everything from carpentry, scenery design, through to basic electrical work. Some clever model railroaders have constructed hideaway layouts where the track on a board which is attached to a cable and pulley system lowered from the ceiling. Obviously the roof structure needs to be able to support the heavy weight of lifting the layout up and down. If it is strong enough, then this may be a clever space saving solution.

Most things can be learned from watching others and a bit of trial and error. Books like my Model Train Help PDF Book are packed with clever ideas and can prove invaluable as can networking at your local model train club.

The important thing is to enjoy your hobby and take your time getting things how you want them. No two model railroad layouts are exactly the same, so you can be creative and add your own person touch to your layout.

Related Articles:

1. Why Build A Branch Line Model Train Layout?
2. Model Railroading Beginners; Mistakes You Need To Avoid
3. Planning A Small Model Train Layout

Noch is a German company that specializes in manufacturing modeling supplies for model railroad scenery for all scales. Noch makes a variety of ground cover material to simulate everything from short ground cover to tall grass. Proper use of the material depends on which type you are adding to your scenery.

For simple ground cover, a light sprinkling after applying an adhesive is all that is needed. However, simulating tall standing grass is a little more complex. The Noch website has some helpful tips for using their products.

Of course, there are some tools available to the hobbyist, for a price, to make the job easier. The GRASSmaster is designed especially for this purpose. Here is a video describing the GRASSmaster and how to use it:

Unless you have a very large layout (and budget) you’ll want to find an alternative; the GRASSmaster retails for around $190. Here is one alternative; check out this demo of a home-made static grass applicator:

What about you? Do you have experience with any of the Noch ground cover products or something similar? Please share your experiences or ideas in the comments section below.

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A locomotive runs by picking up the electricity from the track through its wheels. The wheels transfer the electricity to the motor, which then turns the gears to drive the locomotive.

A locomotive with poor pickup on the wheels or a poor gear set up will give you lots of problems. As with most things, you get what you pay for . . .but this is one area you do not want to skimp on. A great operating locomotive is 90% of the way to having a fantastic model train layout.

When buying a locomotive these points are critical:

• The amount of metal wheels that pick up the electricity – the more the better, but definitely more than 1 set.
• A good gearing ratio and motor which requires the least amount of electricity to move the locomotive, with a slow but smooth start.
• Flywheels at one or both ends of the motor to ensure a smooth take off and smooth stop.
• The weight of the locomotive should be just right to maintain a good connection to the track at all times but not too heavy to make the locomotive sluggish. 
• The length of the locomotive – shorter diesel locomotives are less likely to derail on the curves than longer steam locomotives.

Most hobby shops will let you test the locomotive on their in-house test tracks before you buy.

Test the locomotive forwards and backwards; check for a nice smooth take off and a nice smooth stop when the power is ramped up or down.

I usually go into my local hobby shop after doing my research online, test the locomotive, and then purchase online.

That tip has saved me nearly 30% of the retail price in some cases.

Buy quality when you buy your locomotives; I guarantee the investment will be well worth it.

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Although not always the case, a branch line layout generally requires less rolling stock. It can also mean greater flexibility in the complexity of your track plan depending on what you want to achieve.

Building a branch line is a favorite for many model railroaders, because it can allow more opportunities to include small dioramas within the model train layout.

More About Model Train Branch Lines

A branch line will commonly have a small station where trains can pass. The station has some shunting possibilities, e.g. serving a freight shed. To make the operations more interesting a “shadow station” or passing loop can be added to a branch line layout.

For for ideas on planning a branch line layout see the section in the Model Train Help ebook.

Many branch line layout designs consist of an oval shaped line, though on a shelf-based layout an out-and-back format is also reasonably common. The branch line theme often includes mixed freight and passenger trains running to a timetable-based operation.

Why Model Train Branch Lines Are So Much Fun

Most branch lines run through countryside giving the possibility for creating some truly amazing scenery. But, when creating a small layout branch line, you’ll need to accept that it can be hard to depict the wide-open space of the countryside on a small train layout.

One option is to use forests to “box-in” the scene. Another option, which works well, is to depict a branch line in a cityscape. This makes sense considering that most branch lines start off in a larger town. That way you can build a small station located in this larger town.

The buildings will have the same effect of “boxing-in” the theme. Plus you can add connections to several industries, although this does conflict with a countryside theme.

Related Articles:

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