Model Train Tips» model trains for beginners http://www.model-train-tips.com/blog Model Railroading Tips And Tricks For Beginners Shared By A Beginner Fri, 25 Nov 2011 02:50:53 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= Model Railroad Scenery – How To Make Trees http://www.model-train-tips.com/blog/1149/model-railroad-scenery-how-to-make-trees/ http://www.model-train-tips.com/blog/1149/model-railroad-scenery-how-to-make-trees/#comments Mon, 13 Dec 2010 04:48:44 +0000 Model Train Tips http://model-train-tips.com/blog/?p=1149 Related Articles:
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  3. Tips for Adding Graffiti to Your Model Railroad Scenery
]]> TreesGuest post by Dan B Morgan
Trees are a great addition to any model railroad and the more you have the better it looks.
However, if you had to go and buy these trees from a hobby shop it would cost you a lot of money.
Here are 2 simple ways to make your own model railroad trees:
1) Find them in your back yard or go for a walk and find them.
Small twigs have a similar structure to the branch structure of large trees. So, go for a walk and look for the twigs that look like trees. In an hour you will find enough twigs to create hundreds of trees.
Look for the dried twigs as this will avoid problems later on. Plants with small leaves can also work very well. The best time to look for these is in Autumn as the leaves will have dried out.
Your twigs can then be trimmed to the size you want. You can buy tree foliage from your local hobby shop or you can make it by using old sponges.
The sponges should be dried in the oven and then torn apart. The foliage can be attached to the twigs by coating the twig ends in PVA glue. Wait for a few minutes until the glue goes sticky and then dip the twig end into the pieces of dried sponge.
With a few coats of spray paint you will end up with some great looking trees for your model railroad. The 2nd way is:
2) Make them from wire and electrical cable.
Multi-strand copper electrical cable is the best to use for these trees. The copper wire is easy to manipulate and allows you to get exactly the she right shape of tree that you want.
The pvc on the electrical cable acts as the trunk and where you want the branches to start you would remove the PVC and manipulate the inner cores of the cable to the shape you want. As with the twigs apply PVA and your dried sponge as the foliage.
Dan B Morgan is the editor of the popular and 100% FREE Model Railroad Newsletter. This is compulsory reading for any model train beginner. It contains valuable information on the right way to build your model railroad and how to achieve this within the time, space and budget you have available.

For a FREE subscription to the popular “Model Train Newsletter” go to =>> Model Trains for Beginners
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]]> http://www.model-train-tips.com/blog/1149/model-railroad-scenery-how-to-make-trees/feed/ 0 A Good Quality Locomotive Will Make All The Difference http://www.model-train-tips.com/blog/473/a-good-quality-locomotive-will-make-all-the-difference/ http://www.model-train-tips.com/blog/473/a-good-quality-locomotive-will-make-all-the-difference/#comments Sun, 29 Nov 2009 16:22:05 +0000 Model Train Tips http://model-train-tips.com/blog/?p=473 Related Articles:
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]]> Quality LocomotiveIt can be very frustrating having a locomotive that you need to push to get going, or it suddenly speeds up and falls off the tracks.

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.

Article by Bruce Morgan, a passionate model railroader and author of the best-selling Model Trains For Beginners ebook.

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  2. How to Shoot an Instructional Model Train Video; What You Need to Do to Make a Good Video
  3. Model Railroad Electronics Provide Many Choices to Make Model Trains Perform Different Functions
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