| There is something very satisfying when you look | | | | very detailed and yes, it can be a never ending |
| at your finished model train setup complete with | | | | process of continual improvement and/or change. |
| working lights, lifelike trees, building, and even little | | | | That's probably why there is so much appeal to it. |
| people. So, if you are thinking of getting into and | | | | Like there is for the simulation games like Sim |
| building your own landscape for miniature trains, | | | | City and the like. |
| read on to find out what you need to know | | | | Different Scales |
| before you begin down this very rewarding road. | | | | If you've been shopping around either in physical |
| The Table | | | | or online stores, you probably noticed that there |
| You'll need a table, but not just any table. You | | | | are different size scales you can get for both the |
| need one that can support the weight of the | | | | trains and accessories. HO is the most popular |
| landscape on top. This might mean that you will | | | | size. Different scales have different trains available |
| need to customize it. That would be ideal. For a | | | | and different accessories. So you would have |
| simple setup, though, with no mountains or the | | | | more to choose from in the HO size. But of |
| like, you could get by with a standard heavy duty | | | | course, if you were to make your own |
| solid wood table. Once you get into mountains and | | | | accessories, the size you choose would only |
| rolling hills, you might need to strengthen it by | | | | depend on the available trains. |
| adding support pieces under the places that carry | | | | Needed Space |
| the most weight. | | | | The larger the space, the more you can add on |
| Model Train Accessories | | | | to your railroad scape. The minimum space you |
| A setup is never complete without accessories. | | | | would need for a model train setup would depend |
| You can make it yourself or you can go out and | | | | on the size train you pick. The smallest you could |
| buy pre-made pieces. The advantage to making | | | | go is if you had just a circle for the train to go |
| them yourself is that you can make it look | | | | round and round in. Your table would simply |
| anyway you want. You could create pieces that | | | | measure the size of that circle. If you opt for |
| look like the buildings near where you live. You | | | | more space, take into consideration how easy it |
| could even re-create the area where you live that | | | | would be to move. In case you have to move |
| has a railroad! That would be amazing to have in | | | | houses, you would most likely want to take your |
| your house! I'm sure people will be amazed at | | | | setup with you. Keep that in mind. If you have a |
| that! As for accessories, you will want to invest | | | | big setup, remember to build it so that you have |
| or build buildings, trees, snow, water, mines, | | | | connecting pieces that you could easily maneuver |
| people, lights, railroad crossings, and all such things | | | | out the door. |
| that you might see in the landscape. Yes, it gets | | | | |