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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.
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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.
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Clean wheel and rail contact is
important on model railroads.
The Model Train ebook includes step by step
scenery building ideas.
White glue can be very useful on
model railways.
The Model Train Help ebook includes
useful tips for laying ballast around tracks .
Good track maintenance is important
for smooth running of model railroads.
The ebook includes plans and advice
on DCC wiring and Analog wiring.
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Click here to buy the Model Train
Help Ebook
Click here to get
FREE SAMPLE PAGES
of the Model Train Help Ebook
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
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