A Few Tips for Your First Model Train
0 Comments Published by Melissa Martinez on Wednesday, April 27, 2005 at 1:44 AM.
A Few Tips for Your First Model Train Set
By Melissa Martinez
First, when deciding what parts or kits to buy for your first model train, age is one of the biggest considerations. You must think before you buy! If you are buying the model train set or parts for yourself, then you can go to the shop (or online), browse the shelves or listings and make an informed decision for yourself. This is the easiest possibility.
But life is rarely that easy, right? Let’s say the model train is for a friend, or a family member. What if it is for a specific family member- say, a child? It is difficult to know what each child can handle, or what is appropriate. Though whole kits may give you an idea on the box of what to look for, if you are buying separate components this may not be the case.
A good rule of thumb- a child 8 years of age or older (if they are a patient child and will always have adult supervision) can handle the same size (scale) of train that that average adult can (obviously unsupervised). If the child is under the age of 8, then you must go for a bigger scale of train. This is because the larger the train (and therefore scale), the larger the parts of the train. Little hands won’t be able to handle the intricacies of small pieces and particularly a small track. Even with constant adult supervision, trying to give a five-year-old a small-scale train would be an exercise in futility at best. (see the list at the end of the article for the types of scales and their popularity).
You must also take space into consideration before you buy. Sure, that 12-year-old nephew of yours is smart, and can handle a nice, complex train. But perhaps his bedroom is tiny and he doesn’t have room for one with as much track as you are thinking of purchasing. You must ask yourself- is there anywhere else he can put it? Or anywhere at all that it might be able to go? Will his (or her) parents approve?
Of course, you also have to think about what type of train it is. Is this an outdoor train that is meant to circle the yard? In that case, bigger is likely better (depending on the size of the yard). Is this a train set that is highly detailed, such as an “Old West” scene, or a historical train track or site? Then you will not only need a large area to build it in, but a large area to display it in once it is finished (you certainly would not want your masterpiece to be mired to the garage, now would you?).
Ok, I know what you are thinking. With so many things to think about, how do I choose?
Luckily, I have compiled this list of sizes for you so that you can at least have an idea of what you are going to be looking for before you head into that hobby or craft shop, or before you start your online shopping. Hope this helps!
- 1:87 scale: This is by far the most popular of all of the scales of trains you can possibly find. This is fine for adults and children 8 and up, provided they always have adult supervision when they will put together. Eight is a bit border line, though. If you think a child around that age needs something a bit more juvenile, try on of these other scales listed. This scale is also known as the HO scale (pronounced like the two letters, H and O, not like the hoe gardening tool).
- 1:160: This is another popular scale. It is much smaller than the popular HO scale, but many model train enthusiasts still value this scale of train highly. It is known as an N scale, and is only recommended for adults. The pieces are really too small for children.
- 1:48: This scale is popular more in North American and the United States imparticular than in other areas. It is also known as the O scale.
- 1:64: Slightly larger than the O scale, this is a popular intermediate scale that is for older kids and adults. This is known as an “S” scale train.
- 1:220: This is also known as “Z” scale. This is one of the tiniest scales out there and is only recommended for experienced model trainers.
By Melissa Martinez
First, when deciding what parts or kits to buy for your first model train, age is one of the biggest considerations. You must think before you buy! If you are buying the model train set or parts for yourself, then you can go to the shop (or online), browse the shelves or listings and make an informed decision for yourself. This is the easiest possibility.
But life is rarely that easy, right? Let’s say the model train is for a friend, or a family member. What if it is for a specific family member- say, a child? It is difficult to know what each child can handle, or what is appropriate. Though whole kits may give you an idea on the box of what to look for, if you are buying separate components this may not be the case.
A good rule of thumb- a child 8 years of age or older (if they are a patient child and will always have adult supervision) can handle the same size (scale) of train that that average adult can (obviously unsupervised). If the child is under the age of 8, then you must go for a bigger scale of train. This is because the larger the train (and therefore scale), the larger the parts of the train. Little hands won’t be able to handle the intricacies of small pieces and particularly a small track. Even with constant adult supervision, trying to give a five-year-old a small-scale train would be an exercise in futility at best. (see the list at the end of the article for the types of scales and their popularity).
You must also take space into consideration before you buy. Sure, that 12-year-old nephew of yours is smart, and can handle a nice, complex train. But perhaps his bedroom is tiny and he doesn’t have room for one with as much track as you are thinking of purchasing. You must ask yourself- is there anywhere else he can put it? Or anywhere at all that it might be able to go? Will his (or her) parents approve?
Of course, you also have to think about what type of train it is. Is this an outdoor train that is meant to circle the yard? In that case, bigger is likely better (depending on the size of the yard). Is this a train set that is highly detailed, such as an “Old West” scene, or a historical train track or site? Then you will not only need a large area to build it in, but a large area to display it in once it is finished (you certainly would not want your masterpiece to be mired to the garage, now would you?).
Ok, I know what you are thinking. With so many things to think about, how do I choose?
Luckily, I have compiled this list of sizes for you so that you can at least have an idea of what you are going to be looking for before you head into that hobby or craft shop, or before you start your online shopping. Hope this helps!
- 1:87 scale: This is by far the most popular of all of the scales of trains you can possibly find. This is fine for adults and children 8 and up, provided they always have adult supervision when they will put together. Eight is a bit border line, though. If you think a child around that age needs something a bit more juvenile, try on of these other scales listed. This scale is also known as the HO scale (pronounced like the two letters, H and O, not like the hoe gardening tool).
- 1:160: This is another popular scale. It is much smaller than the popular HO scale, but many model train enthusiasts still value this scale of train highly. It is known as an N scale, and is only recommended for adults. The pieces are really too small for children.
- 1:48: This scale is popular more in North American and the United States imparticular than in other areas. It is also known as the O scale.
- 1:64: Slightly larger than the O scale, this is a popular intermediate scale that is for older kids and adults. This is known as an “S” scale train.
- 1:220: This is also known as “Z” scale. This is one of the tiniest scales out there and is only recommended for experienced model trainers.
Model Railroad Scale & Gauge
0 Comments Published by Brandi Brown on Friday, April 15, 2005 at 10:20 AM.
When beginning a model railroad, the enthusiast must first decide what kind of budget is in place for this endeavor. After that has been decided, the next question is what size the model layout will be. The size of the layout, in model railroad terms, is called scale and gauge. Briefly, scale is divided into 4 main groups (HO, N, O and S) and is actually the ratio of the model to the real thing. Gauge is distance between the rails. We will go more in depth beginning with Scale.
As stated before, scale implies a ‘scaled down’ version of the actual train. Using the scale identifiers: O scale (formerly known as ¼ inch scale) had a ratio of 1:48 with the real trains. HO scale is metric (3.5mm scale) and is 1:87.1. The S scale, exclusively from manufacturer American Flyer, falls between O and HO. N scale is at a remarkable 1:160, but that isn’t the smallest. The smallest is Z scale at a ratio of 1:220. When deciding on a scale, HO and N are the most popular, with a large selection of quality products available.
Gauge, on the other hand, is another matter entirely. Gauge for model railroading, as well as real railroads, refers to the distance between rails. Normal real track gauge is 4 feet 8 ½ inches.
Later on when the enthusiast has more experience, terms like Proto87 and Finescale will be heard in reference to scale and gauge. These reference differences in track and wheel standards and practices but have very little effect on the beginning model railroader.
As stated before, scale implies a ‘scaled down’ version of the actual train. Using the scale identifiers: O scale (formerly known as ¼ inch scale) had a ratio of 1:48 with the real trains. HO scale is metric (3.5mm scale) and is 1:87.1. The S scale, exclusively from manufacturer American Flyer, falls between O and HO. N scale is at a remarkable 1:160, but that isn’t the smallest. The smallest is Z scale at a ratio of 1:220. When deciding on a scale, HO and N are the most popular, with a large selection of quality products available.
Gauge, on the other hand, is another matter entirely. Gauge for model railroading, as well as real railroads, refers to the distance between rails. Normal real track gauge is 4 feet 8 ½ inches.
Later on when the enthusiast has more experience, terms like Proto87 and Finescale will be heard in reference to scale and gauge. These reference differences in track and wheel standards and practices but have very little effect on the beginning model railroader.
By DK Wilson
My son adores his wooden track, and because it’s now available in most supermarkets, and Ikea, they are easy to pick up.
My nephew, whose father is a ‘purist’ railway enthusiast, believes that my son won’t respect a metal set when he gets it and feels his son should only play with a traditional set.
It’s an argument that’s been raging for weeks now, and I thought I’d share some thoughts.
My son’s wooden track is worn, beaten and generally well out of shape…but is still playable with, generally fits together and can take being dismantled and reassembled several times a day if required. It provides endless fun for my son, doesn’t mean that he needs an adult to supervise, rewire, or help him reset points or anything else that gets stuck, bent or otherwise out of shape.
The trains too don’t need as much care – if he happens to chip or scratch the woodwork, all we do is repaint it – something he enjoys immensely as he can ‘design’ his own train sets. It doesn’t take much to do, and best of all, it can all be tossed in a box, and put away, without having to meticulously pack it up again.
On the other hand, he worships his papa’s metal set, and it’s true that he gets much more enjoyment out of the rare occasions he gets to play with that. But as for playing with a set of his own, I think that would have to wait.
The logistics and space required for just setting up the ‘metal’ track is huge – it’s quite intricate (in my opinion anyway) and takes quite a bit of wiggling, gentle coercing and sometimes slight bending to get it all to fit together. My son, being very young, gets frustrated and can’t help…so we either have to set it up before he arrives or hope he’ll wait patiently.
And once set up, because it’s an old set, he’s not allowed to touch it, just watch, which seems to take some of the fun out of it for him. So when he’s older, I’ll get him that metal set.
Which he can put away himself, with meticulous care.
For the moment though, I think his wooden set is ideal.
My son adores his wooden track, and because it’s now available in most supermarkets, and Ikea, they are easy to pick up.
My nephew, whose father is a ‘purist’ railway enthusiast, believes that my son won’t respect a metal set when he gets it and feels his son should only play with a traditional set.
It’s an argument that’s been raging for weeks now, and I thought I’d share some thoughts.
My son’s wooden track is worn, beaten and generally well out of shape…but is still playable with, generally fits together and can take being dismantled and reassembled several times a day if required. It provides endless fun for my son, doesn’t mean that he needs an adult to supervise, rewire, or help him reset points or anything else that gets stuck, bent or otherwise out of shape.
The trains too don’t need as much care – if he happens to chip or scratch the woodwork, all we do is repaint it – something he enjoys immensely as he can ‘design’ his own train sets. It doesn’t take much to do, and best of all, it can all be tossed in a box, and put away, without having to meticulously pack it up again.
On the other hand, he worships his papa’s metal set, and it’s true that he gets much more enjoyment out of the rare occasions he gets to play with that. But as for playing with a set of his own, I think that would have to wait.
The logistics and space required for just setting up the ‘metal’ track is huge – it’s quite intricate (in my opinion anyway) and takes quite a bit of wiggling, gentle coercing and sometimes slight bending to get it all to fit together. My son, being very young, gets frustrated and can’t help…so we either have to set it up before he arrives or hope he’ll wait patiently.
And once set up, because it’s an old set, he’s not allowed to touch it, just watch, which seems to take some of the fun out of it for him. So when he’s older, I’ll get him that metal set.
Which he can put away himself, with meticulous care.
For the moment though, I think his wooden set is ideal.
How to Build the Ultimate Train Set
0 Comments Published by BluDragoness on Friday, April 01, 2005 at 7:05 AM.
You might remember having fond memories of the train set when you were little. The excitement it was to build your own ultimate train set. Putting the tiny tracks together making the scene look as real as possible so cool huh? Friends and family crowding around looking to see what kind of train model you constructed. Your dad giving you his train set he had when he was little and showing you pointers how to make one. You might have got angry and thought that you could do it yourself. Well you can do it yourself, but having friends help is good too! Building the ultimate train set is easy, but does require you to have an imagination. Also can help build new memories these memories can last a lifetime and they don’t have to stop when you’re young. Many mature adults have trains as a hobby and have huge set ups. Some take pictures and have competition among them who can build the ultimate train set. A lot of these people have their creation set up in there basement and some take up the whole room quite a set up indeed!
Train collecting and train building is an expensive hobby, but worth the time and effort. You will find that you can slowly build your set up to the ultimate train set. So you’re ready to start building that ultimate train set down in the basement or attic. Where ever you start the first thing that you want to do is clear yourself enough space. The living room bedroom is not recommended because of the other things in the room that can harm your set. These “things” namely people, pets, and furniture and objects in the room that might damage your set. I recommend that you go in the attic, basement, or and empty garage, or sometimes an extra bedroom that nobody ever goes into. The pieces are very delicate and need to be treated with soft hands.
After you found a large amount of space then you need to start buying track. By electric I recommend that you get digitrax Ho Scale on sale at $27.99. With tracks you need to get curves, bridges, tunnels, and left and right turns. Then you can get all the neat scenery. You can find everything you need and everything you don’t need on the internet. There is everything there and you just need to look around. Go to keyword spot on your computer and type hobby stores and you should get a lot of places with all the stuff you are looking for. If you don’t have a computer you can go to your local hobby shop to find what you’re looking for. Chances are though to build the ultimate train set you need to get on the net to find everything you’re looking for. You can get animals. They have tiny people too and they all look detailed and everything is down to scale. Maybe you want to add a tiny little farm for the animals to play in? Nothing looks better than a train flying by a tiny farm with cows and chickens. Add horses and holding pens, by now your train set is looking good.
Not the ultimate train set yet? What’s wrong you need to get moving? Well you need to get more together build tunnels for your tiny train to go into. Add a fine train station for your conductors and passengers to dock and arrive at. Add hills and rolling plains and mountains be creative you can get all the pieces that you are looking for. You can even create your own towns and cities with real cars, streets and planes. By building piece by piece and then place them just right where you want them. Let your mind be creative and never stop rearranging your pieces ask people to see what you’ve done and ask for there opinion. When you get it all set up just the way you want it and you think it looks perfect buy the locomotives and the freight and passenger cars and then finally the caboose. When you then think that you have the ultimate set run it through the track around and let our friends and family see your creation. Take a picture and see if can be in a magazine for everyone to see. Do you think you have the best train set? I don’t believe you need to show it off! Many magazines in hobby interest are looking for creations like this. Don’t be shy show of your creations and be proud soon every hobby person out there will start asking you for advice on how to build the ultimate train set.
Train collecting and train building is an expensive hobby, but worth the time and effort. You will find that you can slowly build your set up to the ultimate train set. So you’re ready to start building that ultimate train set down in the basement or attic. Where ever you start the first thing that you want to do is clear yourself enough space. The living room bedroom is not recommended because of the other things in the room that can harm your set. These “things” namely people, pets, and furniture and objects in the room that might damage your set. I recommend that you go in the attic, basement, or and empty garage, or sometimes an extra bedroom that nobody ever goes into. The pieces are very delicate and need to be treated with soft hands.
After you found a large amount of space then you need to start buying track. By electric I recommend that you get digitrax Ho Scale on sale at $27.99. With tracks you need to get curves, bridges, tunnels, and left and right turns. Then you can get all the neat scenery. You can find everything you need and everything you don’t need on the internet. There is everything there and you just need to look around. Go to keyword spot on your computer and type hobby stores and you should get a lot of places with all the stuff you are looking for. If you don’t have a computer you can go to your local hobby shop to find what you’re looking for. Chances are though to build the ultimate train set you need to get on the net to find everything you’re looking for. You can get animals. They have tiny people too and they all look detailed and everything is down to scale. Maybe you want to add a tiny little farm for the animals to play in? Nothing looks better than a train flying by a tiny farm with cows and chickens. Add horses and holding pens, by now your train set is looking good.
Not the ultimate train set yet? What’s wrong you need to get moving? Well you need to get more together build tunnels for your tiny train to go into. Add a fine train station for your conductors and passengers to dock and arrive at. Add hills and rolling plains and mountains be creative you can get all the pieces that you are looking for. You can even create your own towns and cities with real cars, streets and planes. By building piece by piece and then place them just right where you want them. Let your mind be creative and never stop rearranging your pieces ask people to see what you’ve done and ask for there opinion. When you get it all set up just the way you want it and you think it looks perfect buy the locomotives and the freight and passenger cars and then finally the caboose. When you then think that you have the ultimate set run it through the track around and let our friends and family see your creation. Take a picture and see if can be in a magazine for everyone to see. Do you think you have the best train set? I don’t believe you need to show it off! Many magazines in hobby interest are looking for creations like this. Don’t be shy show of your creations and be proud soon every hobby person out there will start asking you for advice on how to build the ultimate train set.
