| Selecting the hobby of building model railroads is one | | | | be, the next step is to decide on what scale and |
| of the better choices that anyone can make for use | | | | gauge you'd like to use. If your new to building model |
| of their time. Make no mistake about it, this is not a | | | | railroads, the question of scale and gauge can be |
| hobby that is only for the retired with plenty of time on | | | | made a little easier by simply knowing exactly what |
| their hands. In fact, model railroading has risen over the | | | | these two terms mean. |
| years to such a high level of popularity, that people | | | | Scale: The easiest way to describe scale is the |
| from all walks of life, gender and age, have and are | | | | comparable difference in size of the model train in |
| committing themselves to this amazing hobby. | | | | relationship to the corresponding full size prototype. For |
| Not only does this hobby provide it's participants with | | | | example, the HO model train is 1/60th the size of it's |
| an outlet to demonstrate their creative talents, it can | | | | real life counterpart. |
| potentially let you immerse yourself in a past era, rich | | | | Gauge: Simply put, gauge is the distance or |
| with historical fact. Model railroading is a hobby that | | | | measurement between the two outside rails of track |
| can also bring families together, with each member | | | | when referring to model trains. The measurement is |
| sharing in the planning and building of their model | | | | taken from the center of the two outside rails when |
| railroad layouts. With all of the various aspects involved | | | | dealing with toy model trains. |
| in becoming a model railroader, time becomes | | | | 3. The next step in the process is to actually choose |
| something that most enthusiast tend to lose track of | | | | which model scale train you'll be adding to your railroad, |
| while working with this unique hobby, and considering all | | | | and you have several to choose from. Your choice will |
| of the difficult challenges that we face in our day to | | | | involve the consideration of a number of factors, most |
| day life, the therapeutic value this hobby offers is | | | | of which are related to budget and the amount of |
| indispensable. | | | | space you have available for your layout. |
| In starting out with model railroading, it is best as it is | | | | 4. Now it's time to decide on the theme of your |
| with any new venture to outline what it's basic | | | | railroad, and this will require a little research. You may |
| requirements are, and the following steps should help | | | | want to build a contemporary setting or you may |
| you: | | | | decide to reach back in time and choose a historically |
| 1. The first and most important issue to consider the | | | | rich era in railroading. |
| finances you have available to commit to this venture. | | | | 5. With all of the previously described choices made, |
| Model railroading is not without it's expense, and can | | | | the next step is to begin building your model railroad, |
| become rather pricey. The good news is that you can | | | | and this will include constructing your bench work, |
| begin very modestly and at any level, and gradually | | | | dealing with all of the electrical aspects related to |
| add to your train collection and layout as you can | | | | running your railroad, and finally the creation of your |
| afford to. | | | | scenery. |
| 2. After determining what your initial start up costs will | | | | |