Many people have a memory of building a model railway trains around the Christmas tree every year. The worst part is always at the end of the season when you have to put the train away. The good news is, you do not have to ever put up the train if you create your own scenery in which your model train can travel through. With all the different options available for you to use, your options are only limited by your imagination and creativity.

The first thing you will need when creating permanent scenery for your model railroad train is what is known as a benchwork. This resembles a small table, but not quite as thick as a regular table you would eat from. While you can set up a model railroad on a kitchen table, it is less expensive to buy benchwork. It is also a better idea to buy benchwork because the price is far less than having to buy a new table for your meals. Kits are available for purchase at most retailers who sell model railway trains for hobbyists.

For those looking for ultimate customization, you can build your own benchwork. The process of building your own is a bit more complicated than simply buying a kit. Since most people who get involved in being a model train railroader are very detail oriented, it is no surprise this is a very popular option. By building your own table, you will be able to create the exact shape and size, which will suit the needs of the model railway trains you will be using the scenery for. If you are unsure how to get started on such an endeavor, there are many different blueprints you can look up online. While these may not tell you exactly how to build the scenery you are looking for, they can provide an outline to help you to get started. Take into consideration such things as height and portability when creating your design. If you plan to take your scenery apart for transportation to a show, you will want to be able to separate your scenery into pieces. This is accomplished by building the table as interlocking pieces.

Once you have your base, it is time to create the actual scenery. It is possible to create a topographical landscape by using styrofoam. Hobby shops sell preformed mountain landscapes as well as valleys, lakes and rolling plains. Those looking for absolute control will use new styrofoam and cut it into the shapes they want. This allows you to create the exact scenery you want for your train railroad to travel through. Creating a drawing ahead of time will help you to put every mountain and lake in exactly the right place before you commit anything to a permanent setting. Once you have the form in place, you can cover with moss or paint to accomplish the look and texture you is looking for. Trees and buildings can be purchased or built depending on your skill level in order to add a sense of realism to the landscape you have created. Lakes are accomplished by pouring colored polyurethane into a depression and allowing it to set. Since scenery is such an important part of model railroading, you will end up spending a lot of time creating the one which is just right for you.

Creating realism is in the details. In order to make those looking at your scenery feel as if they are looking upon actual scenery in real life, there are certain tricks you can use. You can use larger materials such as trees and houses in the foreground of the landscape while using smaller material in the back. This creates the feeling as if the mountains in the back of the landscape are much farther away than they actually are. You may also want to use more detail in items up close while details farther away are more obscure. This causes the viewer to believe the back of the landscape is too far away to make out the details.

Above all else, you want to have fun in what you are doing. Showing off your talents and creativity should be something which brings you pleasure. Make sure you invite friends over to see what you have created soon, and have fun!

Adam Fletcher is a model train expert over 25 years. To find more great tips click here model railway trains. Or visit web site and discover Free Mini Course about Model Trains http://www.modeltrainstutorial.com.

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