Bachman Model Article

Model Train Sets - Where and How

The model train hobby has certainly not decreased in popularity over the years, and if anything, there are more and more possibilities for those interested in creating a unique and realistic setup at home. However, the first thing that a person getting into the hobby for the first time should consider is what kind of space they have available to devote to their personalized layout.

One of the best areas to create a train village is in the attic of your home. This space is generally the largest and has design elements that can be incorporated into your setup. Unfortunately, unless it is a finished attic, it may have very little if no climate control, which means that working in the space can be either too hot or too cold (depending on the time of year) and may not have any electricity.

The other extreme would be the basement area of your home, but like the attic, it may not have the comforts and convenience that the rest of the house contains.

The ideal space would be an extra room that is being unused in the main part of the house. It will be just as comfortable as any other area in your home, will have electricity and lighting, and will be secure.

After you choose the perfect place to execute your model, the next thing to consider is the base. Most people use plywood or chipboard for the base of their model, since it is sturdy but cost effective (you will want to spend your money on the more interesting elements of the design, such as the foliage, buildings, and the train pieces themselves).

Your best bet, if you plan to have it be a working train that moves, is to drill several small holes in the board before you do anything else. This will allow you to hide electrical wiring so that it doesn't drape over your finished work. Keep this in mind when you choose a place where the board will sit, because if you just place it on a flat table, the wires will be bulky underneath the board, causing it to tip and be uneven.

Now you can start to decorate the board and build the landscape. If you want to create hills, you can use anything from layers of paper to molded styrofoam. The medium you use does not really matter, since it will be covered up with trees and foliage later. Depending on the gauge of train you use, you can make tunnels out of empty toilet paper rolls or plastic bottles with either end cut off. Again, these will be covered over later, so just recycle what you have around the house that would have been thrown away otherwise.

The point is, be creative! I think you will find that your model train set will be a reflection on your creativity and personality, and will look great no matter how you put it together. Most model train hobbyists develop their own methods and figure out things that work best for them, and you will too.