Choosing a Scale
A model's scale is its proportion to the prototype, or real train. There are several common modeling scales within the hobby. Each size has its own advantages and drawbacks. Which size is best? Well that's up to you and your interests.
Once you've chosen a scale, it will be much easier to choose compatable products and plan Your layout.More »
Choosing a Prototype
What do you want to model? Do you want to recreate a specific time and place? Do you have a favorite railroad? Do you prefer steam or diesels? Maybe you'd prefer to freelance and write your own history. Or do you just want to throw caution to the wind and run whatever suits your fancy?
Modelers often choose to follow a prototype - some more strictly than others. Whether you model a specific town on a specific day and count the rivets on every car, or just pick locomotives painted for the same railroad, there are many advantages of modeling from the prototype. In the beginning, it can help keep you focused. As you grow, it encourages you to learn more about something that interests you. And there is great satisfaction in having someone look at your work and say, "I know that place!"More »
Family Fun
Model railroading offers a great escape from the worries of our everyday lives, and can be a time of personal solitude and relaxation. But at the same time, it can also offer an opportunity to spend quality time with the ones you love.
Children it seems are almost inherently interested in trains. For parents looking for a fun and educational alternative to TV and video games, look no further! There is a lot that kids can do on a model railroad. And even more when they do it with the help of their parents.
It's not just play time - from building kits to helping make scenery, a child's creativity can be quite an asset when building a layout! Not to mention they'll be learning a tremendous amount of practical skills and knowledge about the world around them. Make it a family hobby.More »
Know Your Limitations
Sadly, we don't all have empty warehouses and million dollar bank accounts to build the layout that has everything. Fortunately, we don't need to have all that to enjoy this hobby.
With any layout, there will be limitations on what you can do based on the amount of space, money and time you have to devote to the hobby. It is important to remember however that bigger doesn't always equal better. And with model railroad clubs all around the world, you don't even need a layout of your own to enjoy running model trains.
Smaller scales and compact layout designs make it possible to have a lot of fun in a very small space. A working model railroad can be built in a space no bigger than a sheet of paper. It may not replicate the entire Union Pacific mainline, but it can still provide lots of fun! Make the most of your resources.More »
Buying Your First Set
You don't have to buy a train set to get started. All of the items are available separately if you want to piece it together to get exactly what you want. Most modelers find it much more convenient to get started by buying a pre-packaged starter set.
Choosing the right set can be difficult with the many choices on the market. Most sets include a circle or oval of track, power supply, locomotive and a few cars. Some sets may include more track, a DCC starter system (a newer way of controling trains) or even some buildings or other accesssories. The biggest difference between many sets is often the names and types of train included - and that is a matter of choice.More »
Get Going!
Sometimes the best thing you can do is just get started! Once you've bought your first set, you'll realize that assembling a train set isn't that difficult. Before you settle on a trackplan and start building your dream layout, take some time to experiment and explore. There is no rule that says you can't go back and start over either.
If you're getting started, you'll probably want to build a platform for the trains. With that blank slate in front of you, you'll probably have even more questions about where to go. Just click on the "Projects and Techniques" tab at the top of this page to head to a whole list of articles to help you out every step of the way. If you want more inspiration, check out the Denver and Rio Grande Project Layout. Here you'll see an entire model railroad built step-by-step just for this website.
What are you waiting for? All aboard!More »