Page 18 - September October 2014

Scenery
Scenery is one area that the beginner can almost count on to be bullet- proof. By using the traditional methods of plaster and ground foam
as discussed in many of the how-to books and videos, you can make excellent scenery. Woodland Scenics makes a full line of easy-to-use materials for scenery. You will find Woodland Scenics in many model and hobby shops. Other suppliers in the UK include Green Scenes and Realistic Modelling. Browse stands at shows and meets to get an idea of what is available. Natural materials such as dirt and weeds can also be used quite effectively. If you use dirt, sterilise it first by baking in
an oven!
Scale trees can be purchased or made as desired. Ready supplies are available in the Hornby range and from The Model Tree Shop (http:// www.themodeltreeshop.co.uk/) . One big advantage of N-scale is that scenery can be made to dwarf the trains. Scenery in the larger scales takes a lot of room. Real plants and water can be used for outdoor, G-scale railroads.
Since scenery is one area that most model railroaders have to scratchbuild, scenery can appear to be intimidating. Don’t let it be. If your scenery is not quite right, bash it out and start again, since the materials are not expensive. Remember, scenery is the stage on which your trains perform.
Tools
A craftsman is as good as his tools. In model railroading, tools can help you in many ways. Your tool chest will grow as your experience grows. A basic toolset for the beginner should include: needle-nose pliers, tweezers, several sizes of small paintbrush, clamps, a hobby knife (such as X-Acto or scalpel), small files, rubber bands, and small screwdrivers in several sizes. Larger tools should include a quarter-inch drill, a soldering iron and a jigsaw.
Adhesives that will be useful to the beginner include plastic solvent glue, cyanoacrylate glue (super glue), white glue and epoxy. Acrylic-
based model paints like Testors’ Accuflex clean up with water and
are non-flammable. Vallejo is another option, along with Lifecolor, although neither has specific railroad colours currently. You should consider a permanent workbench that can be left undisturbed while adhesives and paint dry. The dining room or kitchen table isn’t a good location.
Putting it all together
The goal of most model railroaders is a layout. Track, motive power, rolling stock, structures, power pack and scenery all combine as actors in our stage play, the layout. The best advice for beginners is to start small and be willing to discard initial layouts. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. A 4 × 8-foot layout or an 8 × 2 modular setup is a good size to start with in HO and N scales. You can build a bigger pike later.
Practise all the model railroad techniques like benchwork/baseboard construction, wiring, kit-building and scenery on this small layout. Temporary layouts set up on carpet usually don’t work well. Another way to learn is to join a group or club that has a layout in your chosen scale. There will probably be experts available who will teach you model railroad basics using a hands-on approach. Don’t be shy, introduce yourself and learn from the group’s members.
Another popular method of learning model railroading is to construct a module in your chosen scale. This has become quite popular over the last 20 years, and many Divisions have modular groups (see the annual Members’ Directory for details). With modules, each member owns their small section of railroad with standard interfaces. These are assembled together with others to make a finished layout. Modules enable a modeller to try techniques and learn on a small “layout” before attempting a more permanent layout.
With a few recommended practices, some “good advice”, patience and a willingness to learn, the beginning model railroader can have fun
in a lifetime hobby. And, the NMRA will be beside you, helping with standards, expertise and resources. The best part is being united with other like-minded individuals dedicated to expanding the fine hobby of model railroading. Remember they started just where you are today.
Welcome aboard!
sharing know-how
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