Model railroaders on New York’s Long Island can be proud to have available to them the wonderful facilities of the  TMB Model Train Club located in Lindenhurst. These intrepid engineers have created a remarkable layout which includes primarily their 3000 square foot O gauge model railroad. Tracks are also laid for some N gauge as well.

They have 4 trains on their mainlines PLUS a subway line and moving city street traffic. Scenery includes some incredible bridges, Alpine mountains, tunnels, freight yards, towns and even some camping sites with woodfires crackling.

Pictures are worth more than mere words so I will include some of the snapshots I got here, but you can check out their site at www.tmbmodeltrainclub.com and they can be reached by phone at (516) 660-8099.

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N Model Railroad: The Sophisticated Gauge

When an O model railroad is for kids and HO model railroads have become too easy, there is the N model railroad to present the next challenge. These models are small, having a ratio of 1:148 which can make their assembly something of a challenge.

The payoff is that the amount of detail contained in the average toy locomotive, when scaled down to this degree, is truly something to see. It also makes this scale a real space-saver for those who like very long runs of track and intricate models.

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Must-have Model Railroad Accessories

Model railroad accessories make one’s run of track come to life. Without the necessary accruements, one only has a train making a circuit which, on the whole, is not as exciting as most hobbyists would desire. There are a plethora of accessories available and, if one is truly a crafts person, constructing one’s own accessories may prove a very gratifying exercise in skill and patience.

Remember that, where a model train is concerned, one is constructing a world and that one has full liberty to make that world whatever they may desire. One’s imagination is always the best source of inspiration.

The landscape through which the train runs is likely the most definitive element of its look and feel and model railroad accessories are available that make constructing a landscape not too difficult. Consider adding trees and shrubs and other landscape features that reflect the different areas of the track.

If one is constructing a replica of the trains that traversed the Rockies in the 1800’s, for instance, make sure to have plenty of evergreens so that the train can pass through the legendary and majestic forests that defined the frontier days of the American West!

One’s model railroad accessories should also include elements that give the model train purpose. For instance, no passenger train setup is complete without a train station where passengers can get on and off the train. Water towers and other structures along the line should also be included.

These elements offer something for the eye and for the imagination. After all, a railroad is a necessarily practical device and these elements help to define the purpose of the railroad in the viewer’s imagination. Of course, any accessories should be historically consistent with the era of the train on the tracks.

Model railroad accessories may also be hand-constructed but this is a task best left to those who are extremely skilled. Constructing one’s own accessories will require not only that the hobbyist be extremely skilled with the materials but that they are able to construct the various elements to scale.

This can be quite a challenge and, of course, if one happens to be working at the very advanced scales of trains, such as the N scale, the buildings and other land features must be equally scaled and, therefore, the details will be very fine and small and, thus, challenging for the creator.

Model railroad accessories work best when they’re used to create an entire scene. For instance, a train station may be provided with cars and other elements that one would expect to see at these places. Landscape features may include farms and residences rather than just plain land.

If one wishes to construct very large landscape features, such as mountains with tunnels, there are materials available for this which can be purchased at most hobby stores. Where accessories are concerned, the only limit is one’s imagination and one’s willingness to put a bit of work, and a lot of themselves, into the effort.

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Model Railroad Power and Safety

Model railroad power and electronics have always been among the most demanding and intimidating aspects of constructing these devices. One should make certain that their skills are up to the task before attempting this and, if one has any doubt, it’s always preferable to contact an experienced pro or to simply hang out at one’s local hobby shop and get advice.

Though the currents used by the trains are low, they do operate off of house mains which have sufficient voltage to cause significant injury or death if safety is not attended to properly.

Model railroad power supplies should always be purchased from a hobby shop. These devices are specialty equipment and using something which is cobbled together or pulled from another device can have very dangerous consequences. The transformer used to cover the house main voltage will reduce the voltage to a safe level and turn it from alternating current to direct current.

If this device is compromised or broken, one may find themselves dealing with 110V AC current at the end designed to attach to the tracks which can be potentially fatal for the user. Never use anything but a known good supply for model railroad purposes.

Some model railroad power supplies will require that one solders the wires to the track to provide the train with power. Soldering is something of an art in and of itself. The most important thing to remember is that, where solder is concerned, less is more.

Excess solder will create a weak joint and a poor connection. “Tin” the soldering iron by covering it in solder before proceeding and only use enough solder to provide a firm connection. One does not want a ball of solder connecting their wires to their tracks. Make certain to use adequate ventilation; flux is toxic.

Model railroad power supplies need to be kept away from moisture and liquids for obvious reasons. The contacts must also be kept clean to ensure that a smooth flow of current makes it from the transformer to the track. One can clean off the contacts on their power supply with a fine grit sandpaper when the supply is unplugged.

Be sure to keep the power supply safe from shock and, if one happens to drop it, make certain that it is working correctly before hooking it back up to the tracks. These devices can be fragile, in some cases.

A model railroad power supply can provide years of use if it is given proper care. If one is interfacing their railroad control with a computer, which is often the case today, there may be additional connections needed. Generally, the computer software will detail what is needed.

If one is using a manual control, make sure that all connections are properly insulated and that there are no cross-connections or short circuits present in the system. These can easily ruin a power supply and render one’s model railroad powerless and, of course, necessitate another purchase!

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Model Railroad Display Cases

Model railroad display cases present a way to show off and to preserve one’s model trains when they’re not on the tracks. These cases come in various materials and designs and most of them are made for one specific scale of train. They are the most sensible and safest way to keep one’s trains safe and to make sure that one never loses any part of their valuable collection. There are portable versions available for those who attend shows and other gatherings of hobbyists and who want to bring along their trains so that they can show them off.

Model railroad display is as much an art as is model railroad construction. Oftentimes, an entire train is designed to go together and, sometimes, the trains represent historical recreations of a particular train such as the Orient Express or another famous example. In these cases, the train is best displayed together at all times so that viewers may see it in all its glory. Some cases are more well-suited to this task than others from an aesthetic standpoint and may offer something more visually appealing than the more basic options available on the market.

Model railroad display cases are best if they reflect the era of the train. For instance, a train whose roots lie in the 19^th Century is generally best displayed in a hardwood case, perhaps something with scrollwork and details evocative of the era. A modern train may look better in a case made of materials that reflect today’s age and which allows the details of the train to truly shine. These concerns can make a display case as elegant and attractive as the train itself and, when there is synergy between the two, they tend to enhance one another and each brings out the beauty of the other.

Model railroad display techniques for sales at events such as shows is a different concern entirely. In these cases, the train is usually displayed in a temporary container such as a purpose-built carrying case or a portable retail display case. Remember to display trains which are related to one another in the same case. Many collectors will be seeking out a line from a particular era and it will be an easier sell if all of the desired elements are together. The art of displaying items which are being sold is relatively similar, no matter what may be up on the block.

Make certain to keep model railroad display cases which feature expensive and rare models locked. While one may not have to worry about their collection being stolen, they are very tempting to younger ones who may not understand the true value of these models. Glass-front cases should be lit from inside or out so that the beauty of one’s trains is apparent to anyone who sets eyes upon them. Display lighting is generally inexpensive and is well worth the cost if one wants to make certain that no one misses their collection when they visit!

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Heading to Model Railroad Shows

Model railroad shows are a great way for those who have reached a high level of proficiency with the craft to show off their work. They’re also a way for those who are beginners to get some tips from the pros and to do a bit of shopping in a marketplace that is all about the trains.

These shows are held all over the country and one can likely find one in their immediate area if they have an interest in seeing what other hobbyists are doing with their sets. One may even consider becoming a vendor!

Model railroad shows represent one of the best ways for a beginner to learn a bit about how one improves their skills. Like the aficionados of most hobbies, one will find that model railroad enthusiasts are more than happy to talk at length about their layouts and how they put them all together.

They’re usually happy to give advice to novices, as well, as it both allows them to get a new person into the hobby and to show off their skills a bit, which is always fun for those who put a great deal of work into the hobby.

Model railroad shows are a great place to buy and sell trains. Many collectors will attend these shows looking for specific setups and models and, if one is lucky enough to have a much sought-after train or kit on hand, they may fetch an impressive price for it from a very dedicated railroad enthusiast.

This may require a vendor’s permit for the venue and, if one has a lot to sell, it’s worth it to inquire about setting up a booth. While the Internet is a good venue for selling, having an in-person setup is always preferable.

The largest model railroad shows usually feature very accomplished hobbyists who bring large setups along with them. Should one be able to count themselves among this exclusive group of people, check with the venue or the organizer to see how much time is allotted for those displaying their setups to get them up and running.

Most of the railroad setups that are worthy of being featured at such shows will require significant time to get set up and, to that end, many of the organizers will make certain that every presenter has a chance to get theirs set up to their liking.

Model railroad shows are also a great way to foster an interest in the hobby for younger people. Being around a supportive crowd that can offer advice and encouragement is a great incentive. It’s also an incentive to hone one’s skills to the point that one can eventually become an authority in and of themselves and can get other people into this century-old tradition of preserving history through the construction of model trains and railroads.

There will generally be no shortage of resources at these shows that can help novices get into the hobby and to advance what skills they have.

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Changes in Model Railroad Control

Like most things in the modern era, model railroad control has become a largely computerized affair. In the past, hobbyists had to put on their electrician hat and hook up complex circuits which included transformers, various switches and, oftentimes, hand-soldered connections to make their railroads run. Today, most of the thinking needed can be done in advance and set into motion via a computer control program. While this may seem, to purists, to be something of a cop-out or of another art being lost to the computer age, it is, in reality, a way to make much more complex layouts.

Model railroad control parallels real-world railroad control as much as the trains parallel their real-world inspirations. Over the years, the railroad companies have moved to computer control to provide safer and more accurate control over switches, signals and the other elements that allow railroads to coexist happily and safely with the world around them. Today’s model railroads are largely the same and, as the setups become increasingly-complex, some of the older practices have been rendered inadequate to the task of controlling the intricate setups preferred by many of today’s hobbyists. This opens up a whole new world for model trains, however.

While constructing a model railroad control panel from scratch was an enormously-complex task that required specialized skills, even older computers will be able to run the programs that allow a railroad to be controlled digitally. These programs are nothing more than a fancy interface that allows one to control their train with a few checkboxes and button clicks instead of by the levers and switches used in the past and, because of that, they also make for a very clean look and feel for the railroad’s control area. Best of all, one can simply set their train to running and enjoy watching it function!

Model railroad control can be accomplished on a computer with free or commercial software. The free programs are generally enough to handle the needs of most hobbyists though they may require a bit more skill to operate than their commercial cousins. There are specialized interface devices required, of course, and one must still provide power to the tracks via a transformer. The latter task requires attention paid to safety and the right equipment. It’s best to purchase the transformer from a hobby store in-person or online to make sure it will offer the best possible performance and levels of safety.

The older-style model train control devices may win one some fans on style points. It takes some skill to put one of these panels together and, of course, it offers more of a hands-on experience than does an automated control device. If one cannot assemble one of these devices themselves, it may be possible to find a more experienced hobbyist to lend a hand in the endeavor. In general, this is far preferable to resorting to guesswork or to shoddy craftsmanship as a result of inexperience and a lack of skills.

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Learning about Model Trains

Learning about model trains is more than learning a new hobby: it’s a way to learn about trains in real life. The model train kits popular with hobbyists are generally so loved because they represent accurate reproductions of the trains that serviced the world throughout history. The amount of detail can be truly staggering and those hobbyists who can assemble the most difficult of train sets—those that come in the “Craftsman” kits—are quite often experts in the history and working of trains. These trains are, to some extent, toys but, more than that, they represent scale models of history.

One of the attractive things about model trains is that there are so many different options available to collectors. Trains have been in use since the 1800’s and, if a train had any notoriety at all, there is likely a model kit that offers hobbyists an opportunity to reconstruct that train in the form of a functioning scale model. In the best kits, these models are very exact reproductions. Those who engage in this hobby at the level of true enthusiasts are really doing something no less demanding or gratifying than constructing museum exhibits which offer a glimpse into the past.

Learning about model trains also means learning about the towns and landscapes through which those trains passed. Most hobbyists spend nearly as much time working on the stations and the landscape as they do the train themselves. There’s a bit of railroad engineering involved, as well. As is the case in real life, the weight and size of a train determines how well it can handle bends in the track and other obstacles. Railroad enthusiasts usually learn these lessons the hard way but they do learn them and that knowledge affords them a deeper understanding and appreciation for the workers who constructed the first railroad tracks.

There is a certain magic about model trains which is conspicuously absent in many of today’s hobby and toy offerings. While most of today’s toys come pre-constructed and offer little in the way of useful information, model trains require a bit of work to put together and, in that experience, one learns about the satisfaction that comes with accomplishing a difficult task. One also learns a great deal about mechanics and other useful skills which are valuable throughout the course of one’s life. Model trains are quite a bit more than a hobby!

If one wishes to learn about model trains, there are plenty of organizations online which can provide that introduction. Many hobbyists have sites about the railroads they’ve set up and, considering the amount of work that goes into these models, it’s no wonder why they exhibit a bit of pride in their end results. Starting out, one may wish to purchase a readymade kit which will allow one a more gentle introduction. A “Shake-the-Box” kit is slightly more challenging. A Craftsman kit, however, is certainly beyond the abilities of most beginners and best left to the pros.

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Model Railroad Layout Intricacies

Model railroad layout is one of the most difficult aspects of this hobby. There are various options for tracks from which one may choose and there are certain considerations one must keep in mind depending upon what scale of trains they happen to be using. The fun part of this whole affair is the creativity it affords the individual hobbyist. Laying out tracks, adding the scenery and making it all run is the most gratifying part of being a model railroad enthusiast. Depending upon one’s skill level, there are good and bad choices in track and layouts.

Smaller scale trains have a harder time holding the track in tight corners. This is simply a function of weight. For beginners, the O and HO scales are generally recommended as the weight of these vehicles is sufficient to ensure that they can handle the types of tight twists and turns that some novice model railroad engineers tend to include in their model railroad layouts. Of course, as one progresses, one wants a more challenging scale and a part of that challenge is working with the track as much as it is working with the train. Model railroading has a steep, but satisfying, learning curve.

The smaller and lighter scales, such as N, need more consideration where the tightness of the twists and turns are concerned. Particularly if one enjoys running their train a bit fast, they can derail fairly easily. It’s best to start out with more gentle turns and to design scenery that can accommodate wider arcs. When one becomes more advanced, they may wow other enthusiasts with their track engineering abilities and include turns that are just at the limit of the train’s ability to hold. Model railroad layouts like these, of course, are only fun if there actually are no passengers on the train!

Model railroad layouts which feature obstacles and engineering marvels such as tunnels, inclines and switching yards are the most difficult of all. They also present the most opportunity to make the landscape come alive. By laying these features out intelligently, one can create a railroad that will capture the imagination of any viewer, young or old. There are still other ways to engineer layouts that have immense historical value and which can add a real touch of class to any model railway and elevate it beyond the level of a hobby endeavor.

Model railroad layout designs based on historical examples are perhaps the most interesting of all. One can look through history books and see for themselves some of the most impressive examples of railroad engineering and, if they have the ability, can recreate those examples in their own home. Doing so also creates a real sense of appreciation for the abilities of those engineers and laborers who accomplished these feats in real life. While they may be difficult to accomplish on a scale-model level, they were orders of magnitude more difficult to accomplish when tons of track, rock and timber were involved.

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Options from Bachmann Model Trains

Bachmann model trains represent one of the largest manufacturers of model trains in the world. They are particularly associated with entry-level trains and with trains of the H030 scale; O scale trains that run on HO tracks. This company presently manufactures trains in all of the various scales and has recently become more associated with high-end models and kits. They are also well-known as the manufacturers of the models used for scenery alongside hobby railroads and particularly for their Plasticville USA line of models. This company is based in China and has been in business, in one incarnation or another, since the 1800’s.

Bachmann model trains are available in the popular O and HO scales. These models represent, respectively, the most common entry-level scale and the most popular scale for more advanced enthusiasts. O scale trains are large enough that they aren’t difficult to handle for children and are heavy enough that they can handle tight turns on runs of track, making it easy for younger hobbyists to learn about track placement and layout without becoming frustrated with unworkable runs too early on in their career as hobby railroad enthusiasts. The smaller HO scale is a nice compromise between challenge and ease.

The HO scale is the most popular scale of model train and Bachmann Model Trains manufactures several different lines in this scale. They also manufacture lines that encompass O scale trains which run on HO scale tracks. This is a great way for families with both an accomplished and a beginner hobbyist to save money by using the same runs of track for two separate trains. The HO trains come in a variety of designs and, over the years, the company has made more realistic and detailed models a part of its offerings.

The N scale train represents one of the high-arts of model railroading. Bachmann Model Trains manufactures engines and cars in this scale which can provide a level of challenge that will be gratifying for those who have surpassed that presented by the HO scale. These trains can be difficult to assemble and the track runs require a bit of engineering to set up correctly. Of course, model train enthusiasts are great lovers of such challenges and, for those who want a truly striking model train to add to their collection, the various N scale models offered by Bachmann Model trains may fit that bill.

Fans of other manufacturer’s are oftentimes still customers of Bachmann in regards to the scenery they add to their tracks. The Plasticville USA line of model buildings and cars can add a great deal of realism to one’s setup. This company has also recently begun to add sophisticated digital controls to its model train kits which add another level of flexibility to one’s tracks and setup. The company also manufactures trains which run on the G-scale train tracks which have become increasingly popular throughout the years. In England, these trains are sold under the Branchline company name.

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Conceptualizing Model Train Scenery

Model train scenery creates a great deal of any setup’s historical authenticity. The buildings, cars and landscapes which line the sides of the tracks make the train into something more than a toy that runs around a circuit and into a historical recreation or a representation of our present era. These scenery items are oftentimes as important to hobbyists as are the trains themselves and represent a way that one can express themselves and their love of railroading history in a very creative and authentic way. There are several manufacturers who make premade scenery and some hobbyists create their own.

No train is complete without at least one station. After all, the entire point of a train is to get people or cargo from one point to another! Most model train scenery includes at least one such station and, oftentimes, this station is a historically-accurate recreation of the stations that would have lined the tracks of the train’s era. These are a great way to add some personality to one’s tracks and, for the youngest viewers, it’s not hard for them to imagine what it would have been like to see these powerful locomotives pulling up next to a platform.

One’s model train scenery can benefit from a bit of research. For instance, if one is running a train that harkens back to the 1800’s, then the buildings and other scenery should reflect that era. Wood is preferable to these setups though many companies make convincing plastic scenery that can be used in place of natural materials. One may wish to invest some study into the track-filling materials used for the era and to make an effort to recreate the look of those materials on their own railroad. Doing so can add real aesthetic and educational value to any train setup.

Model train scenery which is created by hand represents one of the highest forms of this hobby. It takes a skilled hand, knowledge of the materials required and the ability to work accurately in scale to create such scenery. It also takes a great deal of dedication. If one found assembling a craftsman level kit difficult, assembling scenery from scratch will prove even more of a challenge. That challenge, however, may prove very gratifying in that it will allow one to truly personalize their model train kit to their liking and to make it truly an expression of themselves.

Model train scenery, like most items involved in this hobby, can be purchased in stages instead of being purchased in one, lump amount. This allows those who want to get into the hobby to gradually add to their setup over time and makes it less prohibitive for those who may not have a large amount of money to spend on their initial setup to get involved. Even the most successful railroads start out with just a few stations! Remember to shop around and to be creative in selecting the scenery so that the track and train truly come to life.

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Refining Your  Guide to Model Trains

A guide to model trains may be purchased outright and there are many such books which have been around for a while. We, of course, believe very strongly in the superiority and current relevance of our own “Complete Guide to Model Trains” which can be conveniently downloaded right here and recommend you read about it’s many offerings by just hitting the download button to the right (you won’t be buying it unless you decide to after reading the information).

Model trains have been popular since the 1800’s and, among those who love the pastime, having significant knowledge of historical examples of these toys— which are really something more than toys—is held in very high regard. While purchasing a basic guide is a great start, it still makes sense to do a bit of work and to add to it based around one’s own interests.

A guide to model trains which is purchased will almost always include models created by the big name manufacturers such as Lionel. Among these descriptions will be the most popular models with collectors. There have been so many examples of these toys created throughout history, however, that one could easily spend a great deal of time finding out about new models that are little-known and which may be of great nostalgic value to the hobbyist themselves or to other enthusiasts who may be friends or acquaintances.

Start refining your own version of your guide by concentrating on your own  interests. For example, you have a particular love for the powerful, massive diesel locomotives of the 20^th Century, then begin there. Using a commercial guide, you can identify the most popular examples of these trains. By going just a bit further, you can refine your search and identify some more rarified examples. This is an excellent way to get some names and models which merit searching out and obtaining, if possible, and which could potentially create a very unique train foryour layout. Start by looking where the trains are sold.

If a train that is to your liking happens to be of a 1960’s vintage, for instance, then your guide to model trains may evolve to include some catalog pages from that era. There are several ways in which you may get such publications. you can check with used book stores online to see if they carry an example of the catalog from that year. Because model trains are a specialty hobby, it’s more likely that these catalogs will be available than it is that the more generic, all-encompassing mail order offerings will be preserved. Using these catalogs, you may even find new variations on the train for which you were looking.

You may also wish to include popular culture publications in their homemade guide to model trains. Generally, when a train is a popular part of a movie or a book, there’s a model made to commemorate it. The Orient Express, for instance, is as well-known for its exotic route and luxurious accommodations as it is for the Agatha Christie story which made it so famous and there are numerous variations of this model available. If you wished to find the rarest of them all, you may do better to check with literary fans than with train catalogs!

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When an O model railroad is for kids and HO model railroads have become too easy, there is the N model railroad to present the next challenge. These models are small, having a ratio of 1:148 which can make their assembly something of a challenge.

The payoff is that the amount of detail contained in the average toy locomotive, when scaled down to this degree, is truly something to see. It also makes this scale a real space-saver for those who like very long runs of track and intricate models.

The N model railroad is not for beginners or children. The tracks themselves have a span of only 9mm which says something about the amount of precision required to set up and run these trains correctly.

Their small size makes them light which means that consideration must be given to the tightness of corners and other obstacles that may cause the model to derail. Their small size, however, is one of their principal advantages, as well, particularly for those who enjoy making something more than a toy out of their model trains.

The N model railroad scale is ideal for those who like to recreate historical scenes. The small size means that very long track runs can be laid out in a small area and that, of course, one thereby has the opportunity to create several different depots and other fixtures that truly make a railroad scene come to life.

There are more than trains in this scale, as well, and one will find little difficulty in finding cars, buildings and other necessities built to this scale to add to their scenes. It’s very possible to recreate a bit of history in one’s own living room with these trains.

One of the biggest challenges that one can take on is an N model railroad that comes in a Craftsman’s Kit. This type of railroad kit is not what would be described as “user-friendly”. These kits come with most of the assembly needing to be completed by the hobbyist and, when one is dealing with the N scale, this is going to be quite a task.

Being able to put one of these kits together is truly the mark of a skilled builder and is something in which anyone can take justified pride. This constitutes one of the principal appeals of this train scale to very experienced enthusiasts.

N model railroad kits are a great gift for those who have a love of this hobby but who may have become bored with the challenge offered by larger scales. These models are available in just about every type and style, from modern diesel locomotives to the classic steam-powered black behemoths of the past.

Any hobbyist will find much to do once they enter this scale. Of course, those hobbyists who get even more skilled can progress to more complex models but, for the vast majority of hobbyists, the N scale will provide years of challenges and accomplishments.

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