Model Railroads

The largest model trains typically suitable for the home are built in G scale, built at a 1 to 20.3 ratio. The G in G-scale has traditionally stood for garden, but train enthusiasts have brought...

A model railroading continues to be one of the most satisfying hobbies for young and old. Lack of floor space can dampen enthusiasm and, in some cases, mar the enjoyment of this wonderful hobby...

The transformer for your model train set serves a very important role in the system. It takes the household electrical voltage of 110 volts and transforms it down to a voltage for which your train...

Model train hobbyists purchase more HO scale trains and tracks than any other model train scale. HO train tracks scale at a ratio of 1:87, about twice the size of the second most popular scale, N....

A model train layout, or pike, is the set-up that model railroaders build to run their trains on. It can be any size but is often built on a theme. This may revolve around specific industries like...

Model trains often start and stop and run spasmodically. I can tell you how to make them run smoothly and consistently.

Model train enthusiasts get a thrill from assembling a locomotive and watching it snake its way along the track to its destination. Regardless of the scale model of your train, the steps to...

Model railroad tracks are prone to a sticky buildup that can be compounded by dirt, dust and household pollutants. This leaves the track dirty and difficult to deal with. Understanding the causes...

Once an interest in model railroading goes beyond the initial pleasure of assembling a loop of track and watching a train circle again and again, one might wish to build a more permanent layout....

Designing a table for a train set is a relatively easy task that can be expanded and modified to turn a simple table into a virtual world of its own. The idea is to create a table set that tells a...

Train hobby enthusiasts have been enamored with engines and cars since childhood. Some create small layouts in basements or spare rooms, while others join train hobby clubs and contribute their...

People first become enamored with trains when they are children. Many years later, as adults, train enthusiasts add to their childhood train set with more tracks, more trains and landscaping. This...

Although some model railroaders choose to purchase all of their items separately, it may be easier to simply buy a prepackaged, ready-to-run model railroad layout. Although this type of train set...

It's easy to buy a toy train set and let it run. It can be fun, but it'll be more fun if you can make a game of it. By adding some rubber bands, pipe cleaners, paper cups and marbles, you can make...

If your kids are into Thomas the Tank Engine and Brio trains as much as my boys were, you've probably seen the train tables that you can buy in specialty toy stores that cost a fortune. For a...

A great train table can add hours of fun to your child's playtime. When you create a table yourself, you also have the opportunity to save on what is otherwise an expensive item to provide. Older...

Most people are introduced to model railroading by a train set. This is a self-contained start-up set that includes at least one locomotive (engine), a few cars, track, a power pack, and enough...

Model train layouts give the hobby railroader a permanent place to create the world of his imagination. Layouts can be tables, tiers of shelves, or even ceiling height, room-encircling ledges....

If you enjoy the thought of designing your own scale model of mountains, cities, villages or landscape then come explore the world of building an HO model train layout. You can be as creative as...

If your little boy or girl has begun a Thomas train collection, you know how excited they get to make new towns and new layouts. Here are a few ideas on how to go about making it all work. Of...

If you're into building a model railroad, you're looking forward to the day you can see your train running along the track. The first step toward that goal is purchasing all your railroad...

There are several types of model trains, from real steam-powered engines you can actually sit on and ride, to LGB with cars like shoeboxes, to the classic Lionel 0 and 027gauge (very hardy for...

Model train sets can be a great hobby, but cleaning your layout can be intimidating due to all the small, fragile parts. Don’t let the dust pile up on your train layout. You can clean it...

Learn how to recreate the Flagstaff RR for a train model diorama in ho scale in the free train hobby videos from our chief engineer and expert on model train layouts.

Learn how to choose power controls for a train model diorama in ho scale in the free train hobby videos from our chief engineer and expert on model train layouts.

Learn how to recreate the city of Jerome, Arizona for a train model diorama in ho scale in the free train hobby videos from our chief engineer and expert on model train layouts.

Learn how to recreate the city of Clarkdale for a train model diorama in ho scale in the free train hobby videos from our chief engineer and expert on model train layouts.

Learn how to add track for a train model diorama in ho scale in the free train hobby videos from our chief engineer and expert on model train layouts.

Learn how to recreate the Arizona Extension RR for a train model diorama in ho scale in the free train hobby videos from our chief engineer and expert on model train layouts.

Learn how to make bridges for a train model diorama in ho scale in the free train hobby videos from our chief engineer and expert on model train layouts.

Learn about sharing the history for a train model diorama in ho scale in the free train hobby videos from our chief engineer and expert on model train layouts.

Learn how to make a cement plant for a train model diorama in ho scale in the free train hobby videos from our chief engineer and expert on model train layouts.

Learn about recreating the city of Clemenceau for a train model diorama in ho scale in the free train hobby videos from our chief engineer and expert on model train layouts.

Learn about recreating the town of Cottonwood for a train model diorama in ho scale in the free train hobby videos from our chief engineer and expert on model train layouts.

Learn how to make cut outs for train model diorama in ho scale in the free train hobby videos from our chief engineer and expert on model train layouts.

Learn about railroad gauges for a train model diorama in ho scale in the free train hobby videos from our chief engineer and expert on model train layouts.

Learn about cue cards for a train model diorama in ho scale in the free train hobby videos from our chief engineer and expert on model train layouts.

Learn about hill construction for a train model diorama in ho scale in the free train hobby videos from our chief engineer and expert on model train layouts.

Learn about creating the Clemenceau smelter for train model diorama in ho scale in the free train hobby videos from our chief engineer and expert on model train layouts.

Watch an overview of how to build a Verde Valley train model diorama in ho scale in the free train hobby videos from our chief engineer and expert on model train layouts.

Learn how to create landscape construction for a train model diorama in ho scale in the free train hobby videos from our chief engineer and expert on model train layouts.

Learn how to create Trackside structures for a model train layout in this free train hobby video from our expert on constructing model train layouts.

Learn tips for landscaping a model train layout in this free train hobby video from our expert on constructing model train layouts.

Learn how to make Trees for a model train layout in this free train hobby video from our expert on constructing model train layouts.

Learn how to Choose automobiles for a model train layout in this free train hobby video from our expert on constructing model train layouts.

Learn how to Add people to a model train layout in this free train hobby video from our expert on constructing model train layouts.

Learn how to place Buildings for a model train layout in this free train hobby video from our expert on constructing model train layouts.

Learn how to route Circulation for a model train layout in this free train hobby video from our expert on constructing model train layouts.

Learn how to create Pathway materials for a model train layout in this free train hobby video from our expert on constructing model train layouts.

Learn how to Build levels for a model train layout in this free train hobby video from our expert on constructing model train layouts.