Page 4 - B2B 1 to 7

Start with easy-to-build plastic structures. Wood kits are usually more difficult to construct and finish. In both HO and N, Walthers makes many fine plastic buildings. Design Preservation Models (DPM), Smalltown and Pikestuff/RiX also produce easy-to-build, good-looking plastic buildings in several scales. Leave "craftsman" kits alone until you are confident of your skills. Choose buildings that appeal to you. That said, you can also buy some buildings made up from Walthers and Woodland Scenics, for example.
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!
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 4x8-foot layout or an 8x2 modular set up is a good size to start with in HO and N scales. You can build a bigger pike later.
Practice all the model railroad techniques like benchwork/ base- board 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 that 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 to learning model railroading is to construct a module in your chosen scale. This has become quite popular over the last twenty 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!
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 over since the materials are not expensive. Remember, scenery is the stage on which your trains perform.
Tools
A craftsman is only as good as his tools. In model railroading, tools can help you in many ways. Your tool chest will grow as your ex- perience grows. A basic toolset for the beginner should include: needle-nose pliers, tweezers, several sizes of small paint brushes, 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.
When starting out always seek the advice and guidance of other, more experienced, modellers. Often choice of tools , materials, adhesives and paints is a very personal thing. Get as many sugges- tions as you can and weigh up the options. Visit the tool suppliers at exhibitions and have a good browse.
For more information on NMRA British Region: Website: www.nmrabr.org.uk
E-mail: info@nmrabr.org.uk
sharing know-how
© Copyright 2016 Doug Geiger MMR and the National Model Rail- road Association, British Region. Nothing in this leaflet may be repro- duced without their permissions.
4