The Ultimate Guide to Model Trains

Copyright © 2009 Gabriel O. Delaney. All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be produced or transmitted in any form

or by any means, mechanical or electronic, including photocopying and
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who may quote brief passages and/or show brief video clips in review).

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Table of Contents
Introduction…………………………………………………………………….. 4

Chapter 1: Why Model?……………………………………………………… 7

Chapter 2: Scale, Gauge & Standards……………………………………... 12

Chapter 3: Benchwork………………………………………………………… 18

Chapter 4: Making Tracks & Getting Wired……………………………… 25

Chapter 5: Locomotive & Rolling Stock…………………………………… 44

Chapter 6: Scenery & Structures…………………………………………… 55

Conclusion………………………………………………………………………. 68

Special Referral Bonus………………………………………………………… 69

Appendix I: Glossary………………………………………………………….. 70

Resource Guide (Bonus #1)………….………………………………………. 83

Model Train Planning Guide (Bonus #2)…………………………………... 91

Tips to Save Money & Avoid Costly Mistakes (Bonus #3)…………….. 93

The 5 Maintenance Tips for Model Trains (Bonus #4)…………………. 96

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Introduction
Somehow, stories about railroads and trains have always been part
of every child growing up. We may have acquired it from the television
screen or the big screen, from colored books, from magazines or
pamphlets, but no matter where we got it from, to the eager eyes of a
child, there is something quite magical in seeing a miniature train
chugging and tooting on its tracks. Toy trains have been around since
the 1890’s and still manage to capture the hearts of both young and old
alike. Real life tracks or railroads that were built early in the 1800’s
radically changed the transport of people and goods. From that point in
history, the train and its track continuously evolved and connected not
just the people but a nation. From one point of the globe to another, the
train endlessly attempts to link places. No wonder a lot of us are still
hooked on trains - it is a portion of who we are. Young and old are
somehow, drawn to this special artifact from the past. And this kind of
attraction has brought about the fascination of hobbyists for collecting,
creating and working on the model trains and its tracks.

If you have been to some of these model railroad shows, you would
recognize the camaraderie and the passion these folks throw in with their
work. Some of them can already be concluded as a masterpiece and a
genius work of art. And yes, if you are reading this eBook, then you may
be interested in becoming one of them, or even considering this hobby as
the one for you.

This book aims to be your companion and guide in your journey of

starting your very own model train hobby. It is a comprehensive guide
to model railroading as you will find anywhere. It starts off with some
basic "train knowledge", and continues on to the more detailed aspects of
this hobby. As with other hobbies, this interest can indeed get quite
detailed and, may at some point intimidate some people, but the beauty
of this leisurely activity is that you may involve yourself at whatever level
you wish to throw yourself into. If you do not prefer to build an entire
village by hand, you can always populate your layout by simply going to
the hobby store and buy your proportional figures, houses, cars and
other objects for your scenery. On the other hand, if you are the crafty
type of person who desires to hand-build a scenery piece-by-piece, you
can always do so as you wish, and to your hearts’ content.

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As an individual, who stumbled into the hobby, with one single

electric train set given to me as a Christmas present from my childhood, I
am now thrilled to have progressed in my passion and now able to share
it with you. You will discover that every model railroader is in it for the
love of trains and the history behind each one of them. The vast majority
of us are not in it to make a fast buck out of our interests. We prefer to
discover the endless possibilities our imaginations would allow us.

Are you ready to take a train ride back in time?

What You’re Going to Learn from this Book

I have written this book, not only to provide you with a general
overview of the basics of model railroading, but to give you some
important tips on getting the most out of this constantly growing hobby.

Chapter 1 gives you a brief history and overview of why model

railroading is so popular. I explained some of the benefits it has given
me over the years, as well as the reasons why many fellow railroaders are
such die-hard enthusiasts on this field.

Chapter 2 explains one of the most troubling and confusing

aspects of model railroading to the novice -- the idea of scale and gauge;
and the difference between these two. I have been told by many that this
alone has prevented many from delving into the hobby. What a shame!
Once this is explained properly you will be amazed at how easy it is to
understand. By learning the principles from this chapter, the entire
hobby of model railroading will be mastered by your fingertips.

Chapter 3 starts you off on the idea of building benchwork. Of

course, before you actually build the benchwork you need to know
exactly what it is. It will be explained to you further in this chapter.

Chapter 4 gets into the nitty-gritty of model railroading, e.g. the

tracks, the wiring and the physical layout of the land. Explained here, are
the various types of tracks, how they need to be properly wired to ensure
they work continuously and how to create a layout that does not derail
your train every time it circles a bend or curve.

Chapter 5 is very important because it will help you decide the

kind of cars your locomotive should be pulling on your tracks. If you

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have not yet figured out the difference between an open-top hopper from
a gondola, you need not worry. Before you even finish reading this book
you would have already learned the definition of these two.

Chapter 6 discusses about the choice of scenery. If you choose to

"scratch build" your scenery, I have some great tips for you. I will let you
in on the secret of "forced perspective", which will make your entire
layout look larger and with an exciting sense of realism. Even you will
marvel at just how realistic your miniature world can look. And you will
be so pleased because you did it all by yourself!

I know that this can be all overwhelming at first. That is why I have
included a glossary for you as well. Anytime you need to look back or
look something up simply refer to the back pages of this book, there you
will find the terms explained succinctly. I believe that even before you
have started reading this book, you were already drawn into the magical
world of model railroading. Based on this presumption, I have provided
you with some helpful sources to consult. They will help cement your
relationship with this marvelous pastime.

So what are we waiting for? Let's start!

"All Aboard!"

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Chapter 1:
Why Model?
Model railroading is not strictly reserved for one particular
type of generation, gender or degree. It is for everyone who
wishes to see, explore and enjoy his or her craft in this area.

H
ave you taken your children to a model train show yet? And were they
hooked? It is almost a rite of passage for boys to have some type of
model train set at one point in their childhood. And to tell you the truth,
only Santa Claus knows how many girls have cried, come Christmas
morning, because they did not get a train set like their brother’s.

Model railroading, to a lot of people and especially to those who

join clubs, is more than just watching a train going around its track. It is
a hobby and a passion which involves strategically building an entire
miniature city by hand and carefully putting together its train. There is
no denying that it makes a great auxiliary activity, one that will probably
never go out of style. Watching these small trains take us back in time --
to an era -- when life seemed simpler, slower, and values were more
pronounced.

The World’s Greatest Hobby

Where did this popular hobby originated? In order for us to better
understand what we are getting into, let us first discover where, when
and how this hobby came about. No date was set to tell us exactly when
the practice of model railroading took off as a hobby. History only
recounts that they were first used to model its “life-sized counterpart”
early in the 1800's. So this also means that the birth of the train and its
tracks also gave birth to model railroading.

The first model track noted in history was during the Victorian era. It
was an expensive display model railroad. After that, came the popularly
known “Birmingham Dribblers” or “carpet railways”. They were only
model trains without tracks. One simply places it on the floor or carpet
and permitted to run until it hits something or until the steam runs out
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and makes it stop. During the 1890's, a company called Marklin

introduced the first model track. It was the first company who brought
into the market a complete set of trains and tracks. Marklin was an
active player in promoting model railroading to the public. It became the
company’s endeavor to continuously redesign and perfect its products.
Now the market, which was found to be unusually great in size, caught a
lot of attention from other toy manufacturers. At this point, other toy
producers took note of this and joined in the race. By this time, already a
number of drumbeaters had spread all over the globe. That is how the
model trains, that we know now, travelled down history. It has come
along way and evolved many times before we are able to enjoy the
models that we are privileged to handle now.

Presently, the toy trains have already developed to be more

elaborate and life-like. They have become more than just simple toys for
tots. It has turned out to be an adults' outlet, where he is able to
showcase his ingenuity and skill, in the field of model railroading.

Motivation
What motivates the average person to pursue this avocation? Why
are you interested in this hobby? Of course, because it is fun . . .it is
entertaining . . . and shhh! Do not tell the children . . . it is also
educational.

Let us look a little deeper into the reasons why model railroading
has successfully retained its appeal for so long. This is a hobby that
appeals to the entire family. Fathers and their sons are mostly attracted
to the "roar" of the locomotive. On the other hand, mothers and
daughters cannot resist decorating the scenery with homes and tiny
people which populate the trains’ periphery. Model railroading is one
hobby that can occupy the attention of everybody. Each is designated to
perform a significant task for the project. This is something you can
pass on to your children, and they can always choose carry it on to their
own children one day. Talk to any avid model railroader today and you
will discover that they started out loving the trade since they were little.

Some insist that model railroading is great because you are in

control. As you learn more about the hobby, you get to develop new
skills and become more adept at the construction phase of your project.

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Here, you will become the master of your own city (okay, so it is a
miniature city, but still it is yours!). You will be able to create the track
you want, choose its path and enjoy it whenever you please.

And yes, I am going to say it again, model railroading is indeed

educational. What exactly can you learn from this hobby? Let us start
with the fact that you will learn a little bit more about history.

Ignite an Interest in History

It is true! For those of you who thought that history can never be
mildly interesting or cool, model railroading can bring you face to face
with your previous thoughts. How can a hobby be fun and at the same
time filled with historical knowledge? Think about it. The railroads
reflect the era they were operated in. So when you buy parts for your
model or create parts, you will inevitably learn something about that
particular period in time (even if you did not plan on it). In building your
replica of a train and/or city from a specific period, you would want to
get your details as accurate as possible. By searching out your sources, it
will ultimately lead you to discover more about that age in history.

Railroads touched various aspects in history; the economy, the

social and labor movements, the civil rights crusades - these are just
some of them. In fact, when you get more involved with this wonderful
hobby, you will find out that the railroad played an intimate and very
crucial role in history; especially during the Gilded age. Or you may even
reacquaint yourself with the "robber barons" of the medieval period. As I
have said, you will learn much more.

Yes, you will also learn about Economics,

Electricity . . . and More!
Model railroading opens you to a fresh understanding of
economics. Let us put it this way, railroads help move raw materials
from one place to another. They also transport the finished
manufactured goods from place to place as well. When you graphically
see how goods move from point A to point B, economics becomes more

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than just a subject you did poorly back in college. It becomes a living
and breathing aspect of our everyday life.

The more you advance in model railroading, both you and your
children will be acquiring basic skills in carpentry. And as you wire your
railroad, you will gain a better understanding on how electricity works. If
you get involved in the benchwork aspect of model railroading, you will
be transformed into a regular carpenter, even if you have never picked up
a hammer or a saw before this time.

When you start to develop your city, you may also find yourself
building trees and constructing all sorts of ornaments to accompany and
beautify your scenery. Although you may not consider yourself as an
artist, just wait until you get started with the project.

Whew! These are just some of your skills currently hidden inside
of you. Of course, I have only barely scratched the surface of what other
possibilities you can do; there may be more talents there just waiting to
be rediscovered.

Have I mentioned the pleasant social aspects associated with this

hobby? From what I have described so far, you may be imagining that
model railroading is a hobby that keeps you cooped up in your basement,
away from the general public. Allow me to clarify that misconception, as
early as now. Indulging into the hobby of model railroading can be a very
sociable hobby. Believe it or not, it is a great way to meet new people and
helps you gain new friends. There are a number of clubs and
associations you can join, both in local and international levels. This new
hobby also provides you with a great excuse to travel. Indeed! You will
soon find out that you can go on rail-fanning trips, travel to conventions
or shows, or just visit friends you have made throughout this hobby.
One of the best pleasures you get out of this, is that you meet people
from all walks of life. When you join your first group of model
railroaders do not be surprised to find doctors, lawyers, engineers, other
professionals, students and even business people to be all included in
your group. They will be your connections, mentors and allies who can
share with you their own personal experiences and perspectives on
model railroading. Believe me, when I tell you, they are more than willing
to help their fellow model railroaders improve in their craft.

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