How to Design a Model Train Scene

Designing a train scene is a matter of your historical interest and attention to detail.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Hobby Ground Covers
• Hobby Paintbrushes
• Hobby Paints
• Miniature Bridges
• Miniature Buildings
• Miniature Grain Elevators
• Miniature People
• Miniature Train Stations
• Miniature Train Tunnels
• Miniature Vehicles
• Plywood Sheets
• Glues
• Miniature Animals
• Miniature Shrubs
• Miniature Trees
• Train Sets
• miniature signs and signals

1. Choose a time period and geographical area for your train to travel through.

2. Pick a locomotive and cars from that period and location.

3. Get an architecture book from the library and look at buildings from that time period.

4. Select a season of the year. You'll want flowers in spring and summer, colorful foliage in fall, and barren deciduous trees and even snow in winter.

5. Find out what kind of trees populate the area you want to re-create if you want to be really specific.

6. Get model trees that look like native species, as well as buildings from that area, at the hobby shop. If you want, build them yourself with balsa wood and paint.

7. Add a tunnel or a drawbridge to your scene if possible. It's exciting.

8. Add a rail station. Include figures in period dress. A working grain elevator, where appropriate, is usually very impressive.

9. Make sure any model cars and rail crossings are from the right era and to the right scale relative to the trains.

10. Use slopes and inclines to add interest.

11. Vary the shades of green for your grass, bushes and trees.

12. Cover most of the scene with greenery or roads and buildings or colored gravel. Avoid making it too busy, but leave no open spots where, in real life, there would likely be activity.

Tips & Warnings

• The more detail the better. You're trying to re-create a scene from history or real life and not just create a context for your train to move through.
• You can get a kit that contains most of what you need, including glue and paints.
• Too much activity is distracting and ruins the image of your train traveling great distances. Be creative but specific with your scenery.

on 11/22/2005 When preparing your table and if you are painting it, use only model paint. It will look better.