Posts Tagged ‘railway’
My 6 yr old is passionate about trains and learning more about different kinds of trains. We live in virginia. The museums close to where we are seem to have more of model trains than the real thing. Please tell us where to go if we want to see a collection of real train engines. thanks much in advance.
THANK YOU SOOO VERY MUCH FOR ALL THE TROUBLE AND TIME TAKEN TO GIVE US ALL THESE GREAT ANSWERS AND TIPS! I TRULY APPRECIATE EACH AND EVERY ANSWER FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART 
A really fine model train layout in the Aventura Mall in Florida.
Here is a ride behind #11 of the Redwood Valley Railway in Berkeley, CA. It was taped as part of a model railroad layout tour at the National Model Railroad Association national convention in July 2000.
Many folks that are true enthusiasts of model railroads know the importance of having it cleaned periodically. Model railroad track cleaning is essential in the upkeep and maintenance of any structure that you have in collection in order to keep it running smoothly and without error. If you are unable to complete the cleaning yourself, then it’s time to find someone that can complete the service for you.
Model railroad track cleaning is a very tedious project. Every nook, cranny, and connective rail needs to be cleaned, aligned, and checked for wear and tear. Dirt and dust seem to be the biggest offenders when it comes to a track that isn’t functioning as it should. If you have a brass rail, then the possibility of oxide forming on the track is also a factor where the electrical current is hindered. That is why nickel-brass is recommended due to the oxide being a conductor of electricity and thus not interrupting the functioning at all.
If you are prepared to clean the track yourself, understand that you are in for quite the project. Cleaning the track takes some serious elbow grease, but there are some things you can do to make it easier for you. The first cleaning method is to purchase or make your own cleaning car. These cars can either use a dry abrasive wheel or pad, or a wet pad that removes the dust and dirt. Most hobbyists use both when completing track maintenance. The wet car uses a cloth moistened by track cleaning fluid, while the dry car trails behind. It’s an effective method when cleaning and a good way to keep from any further issues happening.
If your track appears to be extremely dirty or hasn’t been used for quite some time, then you may have to use an abrasive cleaning block to get it running properly again. You’ll have to rub the block along the track paying close attention to the turns, points, frogs, and other tracks in those areas. Do not use sandpaper to clean the track. It is too abrasive and may cause grooves that will later collect more dust and dirt. After you use the block, run a cloth along the track to remove any residue that has accumulated. You may even wish to use a vacuum as well to ensure there are no lingering dust and dirt particles laying on the track.
The key to any model railroad track cleaning is to keep it from becoming dirty in the first place. By isolating your layout from areas where there is a lot of dust or dirt accumulation, it significantly makes the cleaning process all that much easier. Keep windows closed, and insist that smokers refrain from doing so when near your rails. Install ceilings if the setting your layout is in doesn’t have one. These simple precautions will keep your train running smoothly, and allow you to enjoy it for years to come.
If you are starting to get involved with model railway trains then you need to know about building landscapes and water features. These are two of the essential elements in any great looking model railway layout. Even a great track layout will look bland without the correct landscape in place.
It is quite easy to get inspiration for the options available to you. You can look at your fellow model train hobbyist’s layouts and see what they use. You can also browse through magazines and look on the Internet for ideas.
Another great idea is to just observe the countryside as you travel around. There are so many ideas to be found if you keep your eyes open and take notes. Often you will start to create one layout and then find yourself moving onto another concept that involves more water features or different landscapes.
It is best to set up your layout on paper first. This will give you the best chance of making accurate measurements and placements first time around. If you just try to set up the landscape without planning, you are likely to run into a number of problems.
Firstly, you want to organise the railway track. Ensure that you have enough track to create loops, ovals or whatever your design may be. This will ensure that your trains can run continuously, even as you reorganise the landscape.
If the landscape is crucial to a certain area of the layout then you should leave that area until last. For example, if you are using a bridge in the track layout, I would create and build the rest of the track first. You can then add this section last so that you have some of the track already running and operational.
You can then add the bridge and take time to ensure that everything runs smoothly. From here you can add more water features and other landscape options. One of the most popular sections of landscapes is a mountain. These make great additions to the track layout and provide a great spectacle to the overall scene.
Other good option for landscapes is hills, prairies, fields, tunnels and people. It’s always good to have some model humans involved in the layout. Again, this brings the realistic element into the layout.
When you make use of the trains and scenery in the right way, you will create a setting that will be unique and very interesting. Once you have more experience in building track layouts you can start to add more complex structures.
For example, you might want to add an end-to-end track section, or a loop to loop. Another great spectacle to add to any scene is a multi-level track system. On top of this you should think about creating a nighttime scene by adding lighting. Oftentimes, an average looking layout really improves when it is seen at night with lights and the headlights of the locomotives running around the track.
Don’t forget that you can have separate sections of track in different areas of your baseboard. This means that you can create different landscapes in different areas and really enjoy your hobby to its fullest extent.
Philip Redfearn is an avid model train enthusiast. For more great information on model trains, and to sign up for a free Ultimate Model Railway Secrets 11 lesson mini-course, visit http://www.ultimatemodelrailway.com
