The layout of your model railway is very important, the design and layout varies significantly from track to track. Some tracks will fill entire rooms while the standard model railway will fill just a small table.
You should pay close attention to the model details as tracks and scenery can be quite complex. Generally the track is laid out on a table, which is where the model train layout stays permanently, however some people fill rooms and even buildings with model railways. You are only limited by your imagination.
In this article I am going to be talking in detail about both the track and station layout. First of all I will talk about the track.
Model Train Track Layout
It's important that you think carefully about the track that you are going to have; some tracks cannot be changed once you have set them up. There are four main ways that you can arrange a track;
Shunting - This is generally a station or yard where the train shunters. These are not very common but are available from some special model train stores.
Continuous loop - This is a very basic track that is generally oval in shape, the trains will go round and round the track. I recommend that you choose a track that is more detailed than just an oval, watching a train go round and round in circles can be very boring after a while.
Point to point - This is a track which is long and straight, at each end is a station and the trains go from one station back to the next.
Out and back - These tracks are more pear like, these contain just one station with the train going round in a loop and returning to the station a short while after.
Model Train Station Layout
Train stations are a very important part of a model train set and are something you need to consider in your layout. They create more interest on your track so are a great addition to any train track. There are three different types of model train stations.
Terminal station - This is a station where the trains stop, generally to allow more passengers on the train. This is a station where the train turns round and goes back in the direction that it first came in.
Junction - This is where the tracks meet or split. For example 2 train tracks may meet at a junction.
Through station - This is a station that is not used by all trains. Local small trains may stop here but express trains and larger trains may not.
These are just a few basic layout ideas for your model train set however there are a whole range of extra models that you can use for your track. You may also wish to add scenery to your model train layout.
Quick Tip #1
Buy From Specialist Model Stores – I recommend that you always buy your model trains from specialist stores as there are often experts in these stores who can help you find the right train for you. You may also find that model trains are cheaper from specialist stores.
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Quick Tip #2
Start Small - When you buy your first model train, don’t spend a lot of money. You should start with a fairly low cost model. There is no point spending hundreds of dollars only to decide after just a few short weeks that you don’t enjoy collecting trains.
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