Flashlights

Model railroading and prototyping is a wonderful hobby that doesn’t really require that anyone share in it with you ” but the enjoyment of seeing others reactions to your special diorama or the ability to pose questions on specifications and historical references to a group of friends for many causes them to seek out other like-minded enthusiasts.

Fortunately there are many clubs and organizations that have sprung up around model railroading, hundreds in the USA alone ” but one of the largest and most prestigious is the NMRA, the National Model Railroad Association, a non-profit educational association designed to promote model railroading, and to influence standards within the industry.

The NMRA has members across the world with over 150 divisions or groups of members spread out in 18 regions. Their yearly convention and the National Train Show continue to build excitement for model train enthusiasts to enjoy. The NMRA has been there for its members for over 70 years and will continue for many more.

The NMRA has set many standards that still exist today. Having been founded in 1935, they still maintain a list of Standards and Recommended Practices available to manufacturers and hobbyists. The Kalmbach Memorial Library, one of the larger railroad reference centers in the world is partially maintained by the NMRA. The Kalmbach Library has more than 5,000 books as well as over 100,000 prototype photos and over 50,000 modeling, prototype and historical magazines, a great resource center for anyone into prototype railroading.

Available resources for members by the NMRA include:

- Access to the Kalmbach Memorial Library, perhaps the best resource available on railroads and model railroads

-Association with other modelers and a monthly magazine

- Access to Regional and National conventions

Popularity: 11% [?]

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Landscaping and picking out the scenery can be one of the more fun things that you can do with your model railroads. You are the person who gets to decide just how you want it to look.

You can make it look as realistic or imaginary as you choose. Creating your display just takes an idea, supplies and a little time.

First and foremost you need a plan or at least a concept.

- Do you want to duplicate an existing landscape?

- Do you want a faithful historical recreation of a place now lost in time?

- Are you more likely to create a one of a kind scene to delight your viewers?

Making a choice on one theme for your layout and staying true to that theme is perhaps the most important keys to success. If you change your methods and style in the middle of your landscape the result will be inconsistencies that will detract from the overall impression you are trying to form.

Ideally those you invite to view your work will see a delightful scene and the harder they look the more detail enforcing that scene they will find. Nothing is more enjoyable then hearing those delighted squeals as a viewer notices ever more subtle details as they come closer and closer and the key to that is consistency.

Once you have a plan for the theme you need to decide on track placement and terrain. Many modelers create the terrain and then try to force the track to follow through that, just as occurs in real life ” but one of the advantages of modeling vs. real life is that you can consider all aspects and requirements up front. If you know you will have a bend or a switch at certain points why design rough terrain that you will then try to overcome with ‘grading’ in your models at those points?

Next you should collect your materials ” some items you can find around the house, others you may wish to purchase from dealers such as www.oakridgehobbies.com and www.jttmicroscale.com or your local hobby shop but always stay true to your plan. Just because you find an amazing little miniature you long to use doesn’t mean it belongs in this model! Common materials you will need include:

1. Tables or Stands 2. Plywood (preferably outdoor grade) for base if using stands 3. Glues 4. Twigs, ‘dirt’ gravel, crushed or powdered stones, herbs etc. for plants and groundcover 5. Paints of various kinds for touch-up, covering the base and backgrounds etc. 6. Poster board, wax paper, aluminum foil, tissues etc. for texturing and shaping 7. Styrofoam blocks and sheets for shaping

Some other items you may include:

- Fiberglass or plaster – Powder, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper for adding texture and color – Cork paper or board – Roofing tar for roads – Caulk and adhesives for holding items secure

Popularity: 92% [?]

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