Model railroading is a creative leisure-time activity enjoyed by approximately 300,000 Americans plus hundreds of thousands around the world. In the United States the hobby started during the Great Depression. Model Railroader magazine was founded in 1934. This monthly magazine is the world's leading publication on the hobby of model railroading.

The essence of model railroading is creating a miniature slice of life with trains as the focal point. This creation is called a layout. All elements of a layout should be in reasonable agreement with a unifying theme. The theme establishes the when, where, and why of a layout.

When

You can select a time setting anywhere from the beginning of railroading in the 1830s to the present. However, most model railroaders choose a time setting somewhere between the turn-of-the-century and the present. The most popular time setting is the late 1940s/early 1950s when railroads were making the change from steam-powered locomotives to diesels. The time setting not only affects the railroad equipment you build and operate, but the architecture of the buildings, the type of vehicles, etc.

Where

The geographical setting of the layout is very important because it will determine the type of scenery your layout will have. The geographical setting is usually influenced by a favorite railroad the modeler wants to run on his layout or an area he or she has lived in or visited.

Why

To be effective a model railroad should be designed to simulate purposeful operation. Often it's helpful to write a brief history of your model railroad explaining why it was built and the type of customers it serves. The "railroad company" isn't just running trains around in circles, it's moving goods and people from place to place.

Developing a theme and carrying it out effectively involves learning. In fact, model railroading could be called a hobby for learners. Those who stick with the hobby for years eventually develop a wide variety of skills and learn about many different things. You'll learn how to use all sorts of tools. You'll learn basic carpentry skills and the basics of electricity. As you get involved in scenery building, you'll learn to see the world as an artist, with a fuller awareness of shapes, colors, and textures. Model railroading will become a pleasurable study of the world around you.

Probably the most important aspect of the hobby of model railroading is that it is really a different hobby for each participant. The model trains are the focus of the hobby, and building a complete layout is the essence of the hobby, but beyond that, it's what you want it to be. You have your choice of many different modeling scales, time periods, geographical settings, and prototype railroads. You can enjoy the hobby in the company of family or friends, or you can go it alone. You can spend tens of thousands of dollars building a dream empire, or you can build a nice small layout on a budget.

The hobby of model railroading provides a means for you to express your creativity. It can also provide a needed change of pace from your vocation, a way to unwind at the end of a tension-filled day.

If you're interested in getting started in model railroading, I suggest you visit a hobby shop, visit some local club layouts, and read all you can about the subject. In addition to Model Railroader and Classic Toy Trains magazines, Kalmbach Publishing Co. also has an extensive line of how-to books and videocassettes to help you learn more about the many facets of model railroading - a creative hobby you can enjoy for a lifetime.


Russ Larson is a Senior Vice President and Publisher at Kalmbach Publishing Co.

If and When you do visit my railroad, you will find a section of "How To" dating back to the early 40's