Model Train Scenery
Model Train Scenery is an essential part of any model train kit and needs to be done properly for the best results.
You can buy your model train scenery form so many different places, from shops or from online, you can even make it yourself if you don’t have the budget, but personally I like to feel and see things personally before I buy so I do prefer shops.
It is always good to have a look around on the internet and in books and magazines to see not only how other people make their models, but also to see what is available and the different prices being charged.
Before you actually start to buy your model train scenery, I recommend that you try the following tips:
1) Plan before you start.
Get some paper and draw out your desired track. Put as much detail into it as possible. Make notes of all your buildings, tunnels, hills, roads and other parts of the scenery. Start out by drawing the track layout and then adding everything else to it. This does not have to be a masterpiece, just a rough drawing at first. You will no doubt make mistakes or change your mind, but this is OK as you get towards your final plan.
Make a note of how many buildings, trees, cars, people, lights and other accessories you think you will need.
2) Before you buy go to your hobby shop.
Go to your local hobby shop and see what is available compared to your plan. Some of the things you need may not be around just yet and may need to be ordered.
Also talk to the shop assistants. Show them your plan and ask them for tips and advice. The have done this before so they should be able to give you lots of advice about the way things go together.
Ask them what tools you will need as well.
3) Design your location
If you need to make a table, shelf or other place for your model train set, now would be the time to start planning this, getting the materials and constructing. Make sure you have all the permissions you need before you do this and you know how to construct safely.
4) Get your Tools Ready
You will need some old clothes to get dirty in. also things like knives, glue, small hammers and tacks, paint for the scenery and even newspapers and wallpaper glue if you are going to construct hills and mountains in paper mache. You will need measuring tapes as well. You may even want to use Styrofoam to make some of the scenery.
Get yourself some really small stones for the gravel. Wash it before you use it and put it in bags until such time that you will use it.
Having some rubber cloves around will also be handy for the messy parts and you may want to use a face mask if spraying paint or similar substances.
Consider using materials like painted wax paper for lakes and ponds.
5) Remember to keep everything in scale.
There is nothing more offensive to the eye than out of scale finishes. It stands out like a sore thumb. In order to get everything in scale without a headache, you may want to just buy everything.
6) Think about your back scene.
What will go behind your model train kit? Will it be a picture? will it be construction? A good back drop will really make a model great and it need not be expensive. Again it needs to be in scale to your model.
Remember that items at the back of the model may not need the same amount of detail as items close up to you.
7) Think about the emergencies.
There will be times when your trains stop running, derail or completely crash and you need to be able to get to them, so when you are constructing your set, make sure that you have access holes or secret doors so that you can reach every part of the track.
This can be blended in with your scenery.
Probably the most important part of any scenery is getting everything to scale.
The best way to do this if you are a beginner is to buy some books and see what others are doing and how they do it. also if you can have a look at other models to get ideas for yourself.
Scale includes your building, cars, and people. It would be strange to have buildings that were 2 inches high and people that were three inches high, so make sure that you get everything right and designed before hand.
You may want to consider putting Styrofoam down on your table top before you build anything. This way you can hide the wires and other not-to-be-seen items in the Styro. Also it allows you to cut into the styro should you want to put lakes or ponds for example.
This article can never give you all the tips and hints you need, so if you enjoyed reading this article, why not sign up now for my free 10 part email training course dedicated to helping you make the best model train kit and with wonderful Model Train Scenery.
Similar Model Train Kit News:
