Tips for Choosing Your First Model Train Set
In recent years, hobbies that revolve around models and miniatures have seen an enormous boost in popularity. Table-top role-playing games, wargaming, and model building continue to grow in popularity because they allow people to be social and creative. If you’re looking to get into model trains, follow these tips for choosing your first model train set.
Set a Budget
Like with most hobbies, you can spend a ton of money to buy every tool and accessory. However, you need only a few essentials, and you won’t need all of them at once when you’re first starting. Set a budget for how much you’re willing to spend and consider how much time you want the project to take.
Measure Your Space
Model railroads are a type of diorama, meaning you build them as permanent structures. While you can display your trains on shelves when they’re not out on the track, it would be wise to plan out how much space you are willing to give to your train layout before you get attached to a particular concept.
Know that the smaller your space is, the smaller your train scale will need to be to make a functioning track. Trains need plenty of room to go around curves without running off the rails.
Choose a Theme and Train Type
These two steps go hand in hand: choosing a theme for your layout and selecting the type of train you want to use. For example, if you’re going to build a layout featuring your hometown, you’ll also want to research what kinds of trains run in your town and which lines they use.
Consider Your Options
Once you know what kind of train you want to make (for example, passenger or freight), you can start looking for model companies that make the train you want. Then it’s just a matter of figuring out who sells that train in the correct scale.
Sometimes, it can be a good idea to get on a store’s mailing list or follow them on social media to find out when they have sales. You’re likelier to notice sales and special deals around the holiday season.
Choose Accessories
Now that you’ve chosen your first model train set, you can worry about materials for building the layout and scenery decorations. Make sure to keep most things in scale with your train, though some tall structures like trees may be better off shorter than in real life. After all, you don’t want to obscure your view of the train!
A Hobby for Everyone
One of the great things about model trains is that the hobby has room for everyone. If you like hanging out with people, visiting model train conventions and hobby stores can be a great way to meet more hobbyists. If you prefer uninterrupted creativity, model trains are a great hobby for introverts, too! Follow this guide to get started and join the growing world of miniature enthusiasts.
In recent years, hobbies that revolve around models and miniatures have seen an enormous boost in popularity. Table-top role-playing games, wargaming, and model building continue to grow in popularity because they allow people to be social and creative. If you’re looking to get into model trains, follow these tips for choosing your first model train set.
Set a Budget
Like with most hobbies, you can spend a ton of money to buy every tool and accessory. However, you need only a few essentials, and you won’t need all of them at once when you’re first starting. Set a budget for how much you’re willing to spend and consider how much time you want the project to take.
Measure Your Space
Model railroads are a type of diorama, meaning you build them as permanent structures. While you can display your trains on shelves when they’re not out on the track, it would be wise to plan out how much space you are willing to give to your train layout before you get attached to a particular concept.
Know that the smaller your space is, the smaller your train scale will need to be to make a functioning track. Trains need plenty of room to go around curves without running off the rails.
Choose a Theme and Train Type
These two steps go hand in hand: choosing a theme for your layout and selecting the type of train you want to use. For example, if you’re going to build a layout featuring your hometown, you’ll also want to research what kinds of trains run in your town and which lines they use.
Consider Your Options
Once you know what kind of train you want to make (for example, passenger or freight), you can start looking for model companies that make the train you want. Then it’s just a matter of figuring out who sells that train in the correct scale.
Sometimes, it can be a good idea to get on a store’s mailing list or follow them on social media to find out when they have sales. You’re likelier to notice sales and special deals around the holiday season.
Choose Accessories
Now that you’ve chosen your first model train set, you can worry about materials for building the layout and scenery decorations. Make sure to keep most things in scale with your train, though some tall structures like trees may be better off shorter than in real life. After all, you don’t want to obscure your view of the train!
A Hobby for Everyone
One of the great things about model trains is that the hobby has room for everyone. If you like hanging out with people, visiting model train conventions and hobby stores can be a great way to meet more hobbyists. If you prefer uninterrupted creativity, model trains are a great hobby for introverts, too! Follow this guide to get started and join the growing world of miniature enthusiasts.