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Although many of us may not realize it, a degree of caution should be used when working on a railroad model train set. A few safety measures taken will prevent cuts, burns and other injuries.

Working on a train layout usually includes the use of blades, paints that can be toxic and electricity. A healthy dose of common sense can go a long way in reducing potential hazards. You’ll want to keep your work area clean, your tools organized and incorporate safety goggles anytime you’re working on your train set. The fact is, you never know when tiny slivers of wood or other particles will become airborne with a target for your eye and face area. Electrical burns, although not common, are always a possibility and a dropped Exacto knife can easily result in minor cuts.

Another safety tip that’s worth mentioning is the importance of using the right tool for the task at hand. Certainly there’s no need to invest in every possible tool you could ever use in your railroad model hobby, but if you plan your projects, odds are, you’ll know what tools you’ll need in advance. Not only that, but buying tools a few at a time won’t put a dent in the budget you’ve allocated for your train set. By the same token, using dull blades is never a good idea and is unsafe. Regularly check any blades you’re working with to ensure they’re sharp – just do it in a safe manner.

If you regularly use glue in your railroad model, consider a water based adhesive such as carpenter’s glue. It’s durable enough for most projects and because it is water based, it’s less likely to be harmful than other chemical based adhesives. That said, carpenter’s glue is designed for use on wood projects. If you’re using plastic, you’ll need to consider rubber based glues. Consider Goo as it’s designed for Model Train set enthusiasts. Keep glue solvent nearby for those unexpected spills or the occasional and unintended sealing of your fingers to the project. Acetone is ideal for this purpose and is the primary ingredient in nail polish remover; however, it is a chemical and should be treated as such.

Finally, paints are a big part of train set collecting. They can release toxic vapors and thereby should be used in well-ventilated areas. You might wish to consider investing in filter masks for use while painting. They’re inexpensive but necessary to prevent inhalations that can be harmful to your lungs and general health.

Other tools of the trade, so to speak, include smoldering tools which can easily cause burns if not used with caution and power tools. It’s strongly recommended you wear gloves when working with smoldering tools and ensure there’s no loose clothing that can jeopardize your safety when working with power tools.

By incorporating these safety tips, a bit of common sense and a sense of caution every time you work on your train set, you’re ensuring your railroad model hobby remains an enjoyable pastime – just as it was intended.

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How does one get started with model trains without spending a lot of money?  The long term hobbyists know so much, how can one create such fantastic layouts?

Each of us faces a learning curve when we start something new.  Sure getting started can be overwhelming. Or we may find that once we get started, our interests or plans change.  HO scale is a great starter scale given its popularity.  Here are some tips to help get started with model trains, HO scale.

First, one can learn a great deal from the experiences of others.  Learn from other’s successes and failures.  It’s a lot cheaper to learn from the mistakes of others than to recreate them yourself.  Why spend a lot of money up front only to find that you changed your mind or it didn’t work out as you had expected.

One way to start quickly is to read.  Online eBooks are delivered immediately and getting you learning right away.  Plus, since they’re electronic, they can be easily searched.  Also consider the library for great resources on model trains, HO scale or any other scale.  Look for magazines or books that catch your interest.

Second, balance the need to learn up front with getting started.  Getting started in a small way will propel your enthusiasm and help you learn without breaking the bank.  Each of us has our own, unique balance between learning and action.  Find your balance and get started.

Third, start without spending a lot of money.  Get started in a small way without big expenses.  Save your hard earned money for later when you have experience and are growing your model train hobby.  A great way to get begin is with a starter kit.  As you get started, you may find that a particular aspect of model trains is for you.  Now your plans change and you can start to grow your hobby experience in this new direction.

Fourth, start out in a small way and then grow.  Keep your expectations, and your expenses, under control as you learn about model trains.

Fifth, visit a Model Train hobby store, but don’t buy yet!  Hobbyists gather at hobby shops to talk trains.  Find them and learn from them at shops or meetings.  Of course hobby stores stock and display equipment that may interest you. With model trains, ho scale is a great choice as a starter scale given that many shops stock and display this scale.  Use the shop’s layout to help imagine and create your own layout.

Sixth, move off the floor and up to a bench.  Sure you can setup your starter kit on the floor.  But the floor has special hazards including debris and your feet.  You’ll find that a bench makes train operations, track arrangements, and testing much more comfortable.

Hint seven is to make progress by finishing the projects you start.  The key to this approach is to never have more than a couple of active projects at a time.  Put your energy into finishing a given project before moving on.  In fact, consider disciplining yourself to finish a given project before you shop for the next task’s materials.

Eight. Start simple with a proven, stock track layout.  As I emphasized above, there’s a lot of value in learning from the experts.  Consider starting with an existing track layout and then improve as you gain experience.  You’ll quickly learn the basics and be ready for a more interesting configuration.

Lastly, hint nine isn’t as much a hint as a recommendation.  Have a great time!  Enjoy your model train hobby, including the successes and bumps in the track.  Model trains, HO scale or any other scale, is about personal satisfaction.  Remember that you have chosen this hobby is for yourself, not for others.

All the best with your model trains.  Hopefully these hints are helpful in getting started with the exciting world of model trains.

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Model train scales are a measurement of how large the train is, compared to the real thing. For beginners this can be the most confusing part of this hobby, and often the mistakenly mix up scale for gauge.

While this is a common misunderstanding, many train buffs will get quite angry if you mix up the two. Gauge is the distance between the rails on a track, not size.

First for the facts about model train scales. It is measured like this.

First thing you will notice when looking at a model train scales is a letter. Here are the most common lettering system, in order from largest to smallest.

While there are some others that can be larger or smaller, they are hard to find and some smaller sizes are difficult to work with, especially if you have large hands, or have arthritis. HO is probably the easiest to work with, find parts and accessories easily, and is one of the most common train scales.

In order from largest is G scale. These trains are 1:24, meaning they are only one twenty-fourth the size of a real train.

While you may think of these trains as the ones you may have seen circling a tree at Christmas time, they are larger than that. You would most often find this scale in a outside setting, intermingled in a garden or landscaping scene.

They are made to be rugged and durable and will take the stress of weather fairly well. The size commonly associated with Christmas trains are the ‘O’ model train scales, which are 1:48, meaning that they are 1 48th the size of a real train.

You mostly see these in the hands of smaller children, because of their size, they are easily handled by small ones. You will probably not see many of these train layouts indoors, because of the space they use.

HO is as mentioned earlier, the most common used and easily found. HO scale is 1:87, which is small enough to handle well, performs the best and is large enough to show case very well.

You will see these model train scales in most layouts, because of the accessibility of parts and miniatures that are available. This train size is ideal for the beginner, because it has many basic sets, and can be expanded as the user becomes more experienced.

The next two are N, which stands for nine, which is the space between the tracks for this model, 9mm. This scale is 1:160, and is small enough to display in a bedroom, or a garage setting.

Z scale is the smallest, 1:220, and a whole basic layout for this size can fit on a office or home desk top. However, this size is not advised for children of people with vision problems, etc. because it’s so small.

Again gauge is the measured distance between the track, and there are many different gauges. Usually when you buy a set, you really don’t have to worry about this, since the train and tracks always match.

When you are buying extra track, then you need to know what the gauge is, so you won’t buy tracks that are too wide or narrow to match with the ones you have. With this information about Model Train scales, it should help you figure out which model trains are going to be right for you.

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Learn about sharing the history for a train model diorama in HO scale in this free train hobby video. Expert: Bob Lanning Contact: clemencaumuseum.org Bio: Bob Lanning, chairman of the railroad committee of the Clemenceau museum, has been actively building and maintaining the railroad diorama since 1992. Filmmaker: Chuck Tyler

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