Set The Scene
Where are you? That has to be a consideration when building your train set. The trains themselves are almost certainly going to be the main attraction, but setting them in an appropriate scene is certainly worthwhile. Take into account the different sizes for whether you're indoors or outdoors. If indoors, you'd be best to start looking at HO scale. Outoors usually works best with g scale trains.
If your project is being created with the family, then this is really the area where you can engage kids in creative pursuits. There is a lot of skill in model making and it will teach them a whole range of new techniques. If the project is for yourself, you will still gain an immense amount of experience and skill out of this part of it and it’s worth taking time over. You can develop the train set over a long period of time, even without expanding or re-arranging the tracks.
A quick glance at the online stores of the main retailers of train sets and accessories will surprise you. From bus depots and engine sheds to Oasthouses and Portable Toilets. Yes, Porta-loos! There are also a host of methods to create realistic looking fields, roads, trees and waterways. Think about the amount of variety that you want in your landscape, the sort of terrain you are going to create and the possibilities for development. You don’t have to build everything at once, but a well planned design at an early stage will give you flexibility as the project grows.
If you want to use pre-built models and accessories you’ll find a stunning array of detailed models; the sky really is the limit. Unless you decide to decorate a backdrop to your set, then even the sky is within reach. The alternative is of course to build some of the structures and accessories yourself, this can be hugely rewarding. For the beginner it really depends on your existing skill level, mixing bought items with homemade is a good way to start out.
If your project is being created with the family, then this is really the area where you can engage kids in creative pursuits. There is a lot of skill in model making and it will teach them a whole range of new techniques. If the project is for yourself, you will still gain an immense amount of experience and skill out of this part of it and it’s worth taking time over. You can develop the train set over a long period of time, even without expanding or re-arranging the tracks.
A quick glance at the online stores of the main retailers of train sets and accessories will surprise you. From bus depots and engine sheds to Oasthouses and Portable Toilets. Yes, Porta-loos! There are also a host of methods to create realistic looking fields, roads, trees and waterways. Think about the amount of variety that you want in your landscape, the sort of terrain you are going to create and the possibilities for development. You don’t have to build everything at once, but a well planned design at an early stage will give you flexibility as the project grows.
If you want to use pre-built models and accessories you’ll find a stunning array of detailed models; the sky really is the limit. Unless you decide to decorate a backdrop to your set, then even the sky is within reach. The alternative is of course to build some of the structures and accessories yourself, this can be hugely rewarding. For the beginner it really depends on your existing skill level, mixing bought items with homemade is a good way to start out.
