Narrow Gauge
Basic Model Train Information
Now that you are committed to starting a model train collection there are a number of areas for you to consider. These items are important so that your collection will be perfect for you and your budget.
The first thing is the scale. Scale is size of the model train with G being the largest and going down you will find O scale, S scale, HO scale, N scale and the smallest Z Scale with ratios starting at 1:8 and going down to 1:220. The most popular scales are the G, N, Z and HO model trains.
The larger the scale of the model trains the more detail you can get, however the scale that you choose to collect should take into consideration not only detail but also cost, budget and the amount of space that you have available to set up your model railroad.
When it comes to detail all the scales are well done and would make a nice collection. It really depends on your own taste. Be sure and check out a model train show in your area. There you will be able to see working models of each scale and get a feel for what will work best for you. Value really is based on your taste and your budget.
Besides considering scale you will need to take a look at gauge. I’m sure that you have heard of narrow gauge railroads. This is in reference to the size of the track. Most narrow gauge railways were through the mountains and used not only for carrying mining ore but also employees and supplies back and forth to the mines.
Gauge is the measurement of the width between the model railroad tracks in millimeters and these can generally be found in sizes of 6.5 mm all the way up to 148 mm. Depending on the size of your model train the supplier will outfit you with the appropriate gauge for your model railroad track.
Ok, now that you have decided on scale and gauge you can begin to work on the layout of your bench work. You can select different environments for the layout of your train tracks. This basically entails the creation of unique topography and cityscapes through which your model railway will plot its course.
This is the time to be creative and build realistic comprehensive environments by utilizing different materials; the scope of which will depend on the area you have available for laying out your master planned model railroad.
Be sure to use special finishes like weathering on your model trains. This will make your model train and model railway look like it has aged over time with the ravages of grease, smoke and oil which is a natural look due to emissions released from engines of the model trains. Your landscape will determine what type of look is best. If your landscape is based on a desert environment or mountainous area then the model train will want to be weathered to look like they’ve been ravaged by dust storms, etc.
Most model trains are valued for their historical background as well as technical prowess. You are getting into model train collecting because you understand and appreciates the mechanics of locomotives and the history of our railway system. When you friends look at the aesthetics of your well-planned model train and railway, they will be able to appreciate the craftsmanship and hard work you have put forth in your collection and building your model railroad.
Like any hobby you will want to establish a beginning budget and work within that budget. Collecting model trains and model railroads is not an inexpensive hobby. However, the joy of putting your plan in place, building your collection over time and running your model railroad is more than worth the expense. Hearing the sound of the horn, the model train running on the track and the light shinning as it comes out of the tunnel, smelling the smoke as the engines pulls a steep incline, what could be better than that?
About the Author
Michael Weston is a model train expert. For more great information on
model trains
, visit
http://www.modeltrainsexpert.com
.
No muck without narrow gauge ~ the ELR
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Accucraft/AMS D&RGW Narrow Gauge Cars. 1:20:3 Scale. NR $281.00 |
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MODEL VIDEO DVD ” (4) NARROW GAUGE LAYOUTS” VIDEO TOUR $9.97 |
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Calendar Colorado Narrow Gauge 2006 great photos $1.99 |
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Calendar Sundance 1975 CO Narrow Gauge great photos $2.95 |
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Calendar Sundance 1981 CO Narrow Gauge great photos $2.95 |
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Calendar Sundance 1990 CO Narrow Gauge great photos $2.95 |
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Calendar Sundance 1994 CO Narrow Gauge great photos $2.95 |
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Calendar Sundance 1995 CO Narrow Gauge great photos $2.95 |
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Calendar Sundance 1997 CO Narrow Gauge great photos $2.95 |
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Calendar Sundance 2000 CO Narrow Gauge great photos $2.95 |
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Calendar Sundance 2001 CO Narrow Gauge great photos $2.95 |
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Bachmann 1:20.3 Narrow Gauge 55 Ton 3 truck Shay MRLC#7 $375.00 |
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on3,on30,HOn3 The birth of California Narrow Gauge $25.00 |
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on3,on30,HOn3 Milwaukee Road Narrow Gauge $25.00 |
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on3,on30,HOn3 Modern Narrow Gauge Circle $25.00 |
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on3,on30,HOn3 American Narrow Gauge Railroads $45.00 |
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0-SCALE NARROW GAUGE, PICTORIAL MODELING BOOK,JAPAN $24.99 |
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Narrow Gauge Jouef Locomotive Powered w/ Engineer NICE $9.50 |
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Narrow Gauge Unknown make Loco Powered w/Engineer NICE $8.99 |
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Narrow Gauge Unknown make Loco Powered 99193 HEAVY $8.99 |
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Narrow Gauge BEMO Switcher Powered Nice $11.00 |
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Narrow Gauge Unknown Make Lighted Loco 995704 w/ 2 Guys $8.99 |
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DENVER & RIO GRANDE RAILROAD NARROW GAUGE DEPOT HO HOn3 $59.95 |
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C & S, NARROW GAUGE PASSENGER CAR DECALS, HON-6 $4.60 |
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Micro-Trains HOn3 – RGS Narrow Gauge Flat Car w/Load $29.98 |
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BACHMAN Narrow Gauge Rail Truck G Scale- 82394 $187.00 |
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MICROSCALE DECALS HO 87-156 D&RGW NARROW GAUGE WORK CAR $3.99 |
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Peco HON3 Code 80 NS Narrow Gauge Flex Track NEW SL-400 $6.59 |
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Narrow Gauge and Short Line Gazette 2008 $15.00 |
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NARROW GAUGE COMBINATION DIMENSIONAL DATA HO DECAL $4.00 |
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NARROW GAUGE REEFER CAR DIMENSIONAL DATA HO DECAL $4.00 |
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BlairLine Laser-cut 3 sets of 1 lane-NARROW GAUGE cross $6.29 |
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D & RGW, NARROW GAUGE FREIGHT CAR – WHITE DECALS, HON-1 $4.50 |
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D&RGW NARROW GAUGE PASSENGER CAR DECALS – GOLD, HON-3 $4.50 |
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BACHMAN Narrow Gauge Rail Truck G Scale- 82394 $187.00 |
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Narrow Gauge and Short Line Gazette ~ Sept./Oct.1986 $1.99 |
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On30/1:48 Complete18′ Narrow Gauge CABOOSE/CAMP CAR Kit $9.60 |
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Micro-Trains HOn3 – WP&Y Narrow Gauge Flat Car $25.98 |
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Micro-Trains HOn3 – SP Narrow Gauge Flat Car w/Load $29.98 |
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1982 Narrow Gauge And Short Line GAZZETTE Complete Year $19.95 |
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Narrow Gauge And Short Line GAZZETTE 8 Issues 1983-1990 $19.95 |
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Narrow Gauge And Short Line GAZZETTE 6 Issues 1999-2000 $19.95 |
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On30/1:48 Complete18′ Narrow Gauge CABOOSE/CAMP CAR Kit $60.34 |
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MilePostModelWorks O Narrow Gauge Water Column #2861mp $14.99 |
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NARROW GAUGE PASSENGER CAR GOLD DATA DECALS, HD-40 $4.00 |
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NARROW GAUGE COMBINATION DIMENSIONAL DATA DECALS, HD-42 $4.00 |
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Micro-Trains HOn3 – N-C-O Narrow Gauge 30′ Reefer $34.98 |
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G Scale 1:20.3 scale Narrow Gauge Coach Plans $1.50 |
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Nn3 CUSTOM BUILT NARROW GAUGE COAL/ORE GONDOLA/HOPPER $24.95 |
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GRANDT LINE ON3 UTLX NARROW GAUGE TANK CAR KIT $11.50 |
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GRANDT LINE ON3 UTLX NARROW GAUGE TANK CAR KIT $11.50 |
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FINESCALE RAILROADER 2003 NARROW GAUGE ANNUAL ‘SUPER’ $28.00 |
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NARROW GAUGE & SHORT LINE GAZETTE JAN/FEB 1990 VOL 15 $6.80 |
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BACHMAN Narrow Gauge Rail Truck G Scale- 82394 $187.00 |
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Bachmann #82598 – Narrow Gauge 0-4-0 Side Tank Porter $149.99 |
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Bachmann Narrow Gauge Express 0n3 O scale C&S ez track $225.00 |
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American Flyer Narrow Gauge Lighted Caboose & Gondola $9.99 |
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G: Narrow Gauge Freight car frame with underbody detail $3.99 |
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Minitrains HOn2-1/2 Narrow gauge railroad Diesel set $65.95 |
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LOT OF 107 NARROW GAUGE & SHORT LINE GAZETTE 1975-1993 $51.23 |
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The best of narrow gauge on the Rio Grande Vol.1 – VHS $2.49 |
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Northeast Narrow Gauge Porter Engine – DIY Kit – NIB $100.00 |
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7mm, narrow gauge, O9, 2 x wagons $1.53 |
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Narrow Gauge & Short Line Gazette 1984 Set Plus Extras! $22.49 |
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Narrow Gauge & Short Line Gazette 1980 Set – 6 Issues $22.49 |
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Narrow Gauge & Short Line Gazette Sept/Oct 1979 $2.00 |
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Narrow Gauge & Short Line Gazette 1979 Set Plus Extra! $22.49 |
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5 Assorted Narrow Gauge Magazines CHEAP! $7.50 |
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SP NARROW GAUGE RAILROAD WHEEL & TRUCK TRAIN CAR HOn3 $21.95 |
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Spectrum #82398 1:20.3 Scale Narrow Gauge Rail Truck $175.00 |
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MODEL VIDEO DVD ” (4) NARROW GAUGE LAYOUTS” VIDEO TOUR $11.23 |
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MODEL VIDEO DVD ” (4) NARROW GAUGE LAYOUTS” VIDEO TOUR $11.23 |
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MODEL VIDEO DVD ” (4) NARROW GAUGE LAYOUTS” VIDEO TOUR $11.23 |
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NARROW GAUGE AND SHORT LINE GAZETTE SEPT/OCT 1992 $3.00 |
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Bachmann On30 Jackson & Sharp Narrow Gauge Coach 26314 $35.95 |
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12 X 18 Stretched Canvas Poster Denver and Rio Grande Narrow-Gauge Mikado $49.99 This image is one a collection of vintage art, this excellent quality and durable Canvas Print measures 12 X 18 inches and arrives ready to hang on the wall with all necessary accessories already in place. The Canvas Print is stretched over a sturdy wood frame for maximum stability and tautness. Canvas prints are Gallery Wrapped. This means that the image will go around the edge of the stretched… |
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30 x 20 Stretched Canvas Poster Denver and Rio Grande Narrow-Gauge Mikado $119.99 This image is one a collection of vintage art, this excellent quality and durable Canvas Print measures 30 X 20 inches and arrives ready to hang on the wall with all necessary accessories already in place. The Canvas Print is stretched over a sturdy wood frame for maximum stability and tautness. Canvas prints are Gallery Wrapped. This means that the image will go around the edge of the stretched… |
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Art Poster, Denver and Rio Grande Narrow-Gauge Mikado – 18.75 x 27.5 $19.95 FREE SHIPPING on this item when you purchase 2 or more Art Posters from ClassicPix.com. This high quality, durable Art Poster measures 18.75″ x 27.50″ and arrives ready to frame. Posters are printed on heavy-stock, semi-matte paper producing the best possible combination of color vibrancy and durability. All posters from ClassicPix.com are made on demand one-at-a-time, just for you — not mass-pro… |