Model Trains Stores Can Be Expensive

By Dan B Morgan   

Model trains stores can be expensive, but then you do get what you pay for.
If you are a beginner then model trains stores should be your first stop.
Notice I said model trains stores and not hobby shops, because there is a difference. Hobby shops are usually staffed by people that are not experienced model railroaders.
While model trains stores are usually owned by very well experienced model railroaders.
Building a model railway is the most enjoyable hobby in my opinion. There is no other hobby where you can learn and improve a wide variety of skills in one place.
Building a model railroad exposes you to planning, design, woodwork, metalwork, wiring, electronics, kitbashing, scratchbuilding and so much more. But, you don't need to know it all when you start.
The model trains stores in your area are filled with people waiting to advise you on building your dream model railroad.
So, why is model railroading known as an expensive hobby?
The answer is in the decisions they make. These are the 7 most common model railway mistakes you should avoid:

1 - Not Knowing What You Want
Most model railroad beginners start with an electric train set that comes complete with an oval track, locomotive, some cars and a controller. Often this is because it is cheaper to buy the set rather than individual components, but you get what you pay for.
As soon as you add more track to expand the oval, the problems start.
The power pack in the electric train set may have only been designed to power the oval length of track. When you add extra track, the power pack is now not powerful enough. This results in a voltage drop on the track and intermittent starting and stopping of the locomotive. This can be very frustrating.

2 - Building a Model Railway That Is Too Big
Often the impressive model railroads at the shows encourage beginners to go home and convert their entire basement into a huge model railroad.
Some of the model railway experts at those shows have spent 20 or more years on their layouts and a beginner trying to achieve that level of model railroading from the beginning will be disappointed.
Often the smallest of layouts can be more fun because they get to a level of enjoyable operation quicker. The experience adds up over the years and a small layout is always easy to expand.

3 - Paying Full Retail Price
If you are going to pay full retail price for every part of your model railway then it is going to be an expensive exercise.
Your local train club will have members, with equipment in good condition, that they will sell at a fraction of the new price. Model train experts are a generous bunch and always willing to help beginners
.

Dan Morgan is the author of Model Trains For Beginners which should be compulsory reading for anyone considering model trains as a hobby.
Are you looking for a step-by-step guide to avoid the expensive model train mistakes almost all beginners make?
Check out my recommendations at http://modeltrainsforbeginners.com/recommended and learn more about the must-have model train resources I recommend.

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Model Trains and Their Attachment to the Past

There is a deep and flowing tie to the past between model trains and their full size kin. Without the big locomotives of the past the models would have never realized such a long and glorious reign as a popular hobby and pastime. It is hard to imagine a train without a model or a model without a train and it would seem that they are destined to remain hand in hand.
The locomotive first began as an idea to make life easier by carrying heavy loads across the land in such a way that man or beast would not have to struggle as much. The many innovations that came along with rail travel did not come over night nor were they created by one super genius. Much time and thought went into these developments.
The man that is considered the inventor of the very first steam locomotive for use on rail lines was George Stephenson. The world's first locomotive, however, was actually built by Richard Trevithick. An Englishman, Trevithick also operated this steam engine from 1803 to 1804. The father of American railroads is considered to be Colonel John Stevens. George Pullman was the first person to design the sleeping car for the railway making the railroad much more traveler friendly. This car became appropriately known as the Pullman Sleeping Car.
A huge innovation toward making the railroad much safer was the system of air brakes that was invented by Mr. George Westinghouse who held many other patents as well. Railroad Car Couplers were invented by Eli Janney and were named after him and a former slave, Andrew Jackson Beard, created an improvement to the Jenny Coupler. George B. Dorey himself had more that 175 rail transportation patents.
Women have made very significant contributions to the history of the locomotive as well. The safety feature that has saved innumerable lives over countless number of years, the railroad crossing gate, was invented by Mary L. Riggin. In an attempt to reduce the number of derailments Eliza Murfey created a lubricating system to use on railroad car axles. The infamous L-Trains in New York City also benefited from a woman's touch. Mary Walton created a noise reduction system for them.
These great iron horses though would likely not have enjoyed their birth and subsequent reign either had it not been for the foresight of some of the great minds of the world who once built a model. Great inventors have often made a model before they ever tried their hand at the full sized project and locomotives are no exception. Even the great Leonardo DaVinci drew sketches of great machines that he imagined would one day fill the world. One of these drawings appears to greatly resemble a steam engine. Who knows, it might have been or it might not. All that matters now is the fact that they are here to stay no matter how many changes take place. The railroad as well as model trains are here to stay.

By Victor Epand
Victor Epand is an expert consultant for model cars, model trains, and model trucks. You will find excellent hobbying and trading resources here for model car tricks and model train history.
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