Model Train Track Sizes

What Are Model Train Tracks?

First is of course your electric powered model train. Second, the track of your train. If your model kit doesn't come with a track, then there are a lot of things that you should learn first about model train tracks. There are different sizes of tracks and trains also come in different sizes as well.Different sizes as well. Scales. The given scale example which is 1:220 is a Z scale model and it means the train is 220 times smaller as compared to the real train. 

Model Train Track Sizes

There are many different model train scales, Ho scale being the most popular amongst them. HO scale is 1:87, meaning the real train is 87 times bigger than the model train. Model railroaders and train enthusiast prefer the HO scale model as they find it perfect for layout because of its balanced size.

Gauge: The measurement of the track width is simply the gauge. There are various track gauges that may only fit specific model scales. But there are times where the track is tweaked in order for lager model scales to fit and they are usually done by advanced train enthusiasts. The HO scale for example is 87 times smaller than the real train. The designated track for the HO model scale has a gauge of "0.650". If you have observed, having no knowledge and not being able to determine the compatible track gauge will render your model train useless not until you can buy the right track that will fit its scale. 

Types of Model Train Tracks

Figuring out how much track you need to buy and the type of track you require always depends on the overall design of the track. Keep in mind, when creating the design, that you need enough room to lay the tracks. After your layout is planned it is easy to figure out the length of the track you require and you will know if you need half-track sections or odd track lengths. Creating custom track sizes is easy.

For corners, you will need radius track sections, which are available in different radii to create tight corners, long easy corners, and everything in between. Straight tracks will also be needed and those are also available in different lengths. This allows you to pick the track pieces that will help in creating your specific layout most easily.

In a 24 inch radius of an Atlas HO True-Track, 16 sections are required in order to complete a full 48 inch diameter. For the 18 inch radius, 12 sections required to complete a circle of 36 inch diameter.

In addition to the curved and straight tracks, there are crossings, turnouts and flex tracks which vary from one manufacturer to the next.

You should understand that not all brands of integrated roadbed track would be well matched with other brands. Flex tracks are directly attached to the roadbed and as the names suggests, you can bend the track so that it creates any radius you need. A closed switch allows the train to stay on the current track, but if the switch is "thrown", then the train chooses an alternate path.

It is never recommend that you put together a model train track without any prior planning. Jeremy Vaness is a model train enthusiast. For more great information on model train building [http://www.ModelTrainForBeginners.com] visit [http://www.ModelTrainForBeginners.com].

Model Train Track - Considerations For Your Track Design

When you create your hobby railroading layout, you can get as simple or as complicated with your model train track design as you want. The track products you need to purchase are determined by your overall track design.

Your particular layout may require odd track lengths or the use of half-track sections. To create custom track lengths, you can use place a track section in a bench vise and cut it to the required length with a hacksaw.

You will need not only straight track sections, but radius track sections as well. Radius track sections are available in various radius sizes, so you must determine which track pieces will work to produce your specific layout design.

Not all curved track dimensions are stated in terms of radius. In the HO scale of trains, track dimensions are stated in terms of radius. Atlas HO True-Track in a 24" radius requires 16 sections of 24" radius track to complete a full 48" diameter circle. Atlas HO True-Track in an 18" radius requires 12 sections to create a circle with a 36" diameter.

In addition to straight and curved track components, there are other categories for track such as flex track, crossings, and turnouts. The track components available will vary among manufacturers.

Flex track is exactly what the name implies. Crossings are junctions on your track where a track heading in one direction crosses a track heading in another direction. Turnouts, often called switches, are track sections that allow an entering train to choose its route on one of two or three different tracks. There is a lot of flexibility in the track design. For more helpful tips and insights on model train track, be sure to visit his website ModelTrainForBeginners.com.

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Model Train Track Layouts

Planning Your Model Train Track Layout

One of the initial and more important phases of creating your model railroad empire is the planning of your model train track layout. If you're on a limited budget and the idea of designing your layout using software appeals to you there are a number of websites online which offer free downloads that are available and may be a suitable solution.

Model Train Track Layouts

If this is your first endeavor in planning a model train track layout you'll soon discover that this is without question an absolute art form that involves more than designing the track layouts themselves. Also, your track layout involves the creation of the scenery that surrounds your tracks, and is the very thing that will bring everything to life. There are two types of layouts which you have to choose from and they are loop to loop and continuous running. Both have multiple ways to represent variations in your track layout and will provide you with the opportunity to make it's design look unique.

Model train layout planning is quite involved and there really isn't any way that I can cover all of the information adequately that applies to this part of model railroading in one article.

Next, if you would like more information about planning your model train track layout visit my website by clicking here.

Model Train Layout Plans - The Basic Components

All rail track layouts, whether for model trains on a 4ft x 4ft table top or for full size trains at a major urban rail terminus, can be simplified down to some basic components which are then used to integrate into more complex layouts, depending on the needs of the designers.

stub end track - a straight track with buffers at each end.

circular track - simply goes round and round. This may be suitable for a model train layout for young children, but, like the stub end track, not at all challenging for the model train enthusiast in this simple form;

spur line - adding a spur to one side of a straight track provides an opportunity for switching, enabling your train to move off the main track but the return direction of your train still remains a problem;

passing loop - if a second spur, in the opposite direction, is joined to the original spur track, you have a loop which will allow trains to pass. The track goes from single track, to double track, then back to single;

balloon or paddle line - a switch from one side of a straight track circles around and rejoins the straight track on the opposite side.

turntables - small sections of track, fixed to board or metal, that can be rotated to allow a train to pass across to any number of alternative tracks. Your track layout is limited by the space available, and by your design ingenuity. One website alone has more than 1000 different layouts illustrated.

John Vanse is a model train enthusiast with a number of websites providing information about model trains.

Track Layout Ideas For Your Model Train

The major part of establishing a model railroad project is the design and implementation of the layout - the diorama with scenery, structures and appropriate scale track for operating the trains.

Some layouts can be quite small - shelf-top designs that can be accommodated in a very small space. For a small, simple layout, a table will usually be adequate but most model railroaders aim to establish larger, permanent layouts. An important aspect of any model train setup is the arrangement of the track itself. There are at least four basic layout patterns for setting out the track, and countless variations of both track configuration and subsequent station placement.

* out and back - where the train leaves the single station, travels around a pear-shaped layout and returns to the original station;

* station yard only - where a single station is surrounded by a number of short, interconnected tracks, providing great opportunities for shunting.

From these four basic patterns, there are countless variations.

* adding double track to any of the first three basic layouts to allow two or more trains to operate at the same time;

* adding branch lines, allowing an increase in the number of stations;

* adding station yards, with adequate standing tracks, to any of the configurations.

John Vanse is a model train enthusiast who has a number of websites related to ‘the greatest hobby on earth’.

Read more model train track plans

Model Train Track Plans

Things to Consider When Setting Up Your Model Train Track Plans

The need for a model railroad track plan is one of the important things you must bear in mind before you start assembling your model railroading kit. There are several things to consider when designing a railroad track plan. Figure out if you want to use a point to point track plan or have your train run nonstop. We think its a good idea to start with the track plan known as the railroad terminus. You then park the "waiting" trains on these tracks.

Model Train Track Plans

The cityscape is another good track plan. Using careful planning for easements will help your model train run smoothly. Easements "ease" trains in and out of curves and rounded corners on model railroad tracks. A good rule to follow for track plans and easements is to use wide curves to enter into the tighter curves and then to exit into wide curves once more. There are several tools you can use to turn your trains automatically on their tracks --- they are called turntables, wyes and reversing tracks. A good trick to prevent your train from stopping at track junctions is to use a runaround track. lapped sidings, ladders, spurs, and team tracks.

Processing all this information about model railroad track plans can be a little overwhelming but don't worry. Have a great time with model railroading!

Alex Toal is a model train expert. For more great tips on Model Railroad Track Plans [http://modeltrainsforbeginners.com], visit My Model Train Inc [http://modeltrainsforbeginners.com].

What You Should Know About Your Model Train Track Plans

Enthusiasts who are new to the world of model trains and train sets may not know that it is hardly as simple as piecing the train itself together. One of the most basic of these is of course one's model-railroad track plan. This is of course the design of your train tracks - what shape they take, where they go, and so on and so forth.

For instance, you could select such continuous-track shapes as a simple oval, a folded dogbone, a figure-eight - or many more if you would like your train to run continuously.

In the interest of authenticity, you may wish to setup what is called a railroad terminus or a train terminal (at the very least, the inner side of a building) where your train can stop. You could also choose to setup a city around your train tracks - this would necessarily make things very complex as there would be so many elements you would need to fabricate or source, such as more people, cars, and buildings. You will require easements for your final railroad track in order to help your train navigate curved areas - especially very curved or continuously curved areas. Many hobbyists risk derailing their trains if they fail to use easements. There are plenty of other important and necessary equipment you will need, such as ladders, team tracks, spurs, and conventional siding; further research is quite necessary.

Alex Toal is a model train expert. For more great tips on Model Track Plans [http://modeltrainsforbeginners.com], visit My Model Train Inc [http://modeltrainsforbeginners.com].

Simplify Designing Model Railway Track Plans by Using Computer Software

When I first began with model railway trains, the only way to design the model railway track plans back then was to painstakingly draw them all out by hand. Fast forward to the present day and this whole process has been made a whole lot easier with the use of specialist software, which is designed for purpose to help you with creating your model railway track plans. If you are a technophobe, fear not as these can be range from very simple pieces of point and click software, right up to far more detailed bits of kit if that is what you are after.

Getting scale right is a lot easier too. When you have finished planning your model railway track plans on the computer, some software packages will even go so far as to allowing you work out detailed parts lists that you can then take to your hobby shop and buy. The great thing is that many of the software packages also contain features that allow you to design much more than just the track plans and will also let you plan out the scenery too. Using your mouse as you would to create the model railway track plans in the first place, it is simply a case of dragging and dropping elements from the menu screens onto you layout plans and arranging them as you want. If you are serious about building your own model railroad, I would say that computer software is pretty much as must have tool to help you successfully build your railway, rather than giving up at the first hurdle because you can't draw out the track plans for it!

As with any area of model railways, I recommend doing thorough research first as this is the key to any successful model railway. For more information on model railway trains, visit my website by clicking the links below.

Tim McCarthy is a model railway enthusiast with many years experience in the field of model trains. For further information on model railroads, including more on model railway track plans please feel free to head over to [http://modeltrainsforbeginners.com]
Read more model train track

Model Train Track

Getting the Right Model Train Track

A model railway train layout is only interesting to look at if you have the correct model train track to go along with it. Buying the right model train track will depend largely on the train you buy and what you are looking to do with it. You used to be able to only purchase straight track or curved track and nothing else.

Before buying any model train track, you will need to know what kind of train scale you will be purchasing. The gauge track you will be buying depends solely on the scale you are purchasing. If you buy a track, which is for a different scale train, you will not be able to properly operate your train. A G scale train will generally go with a G gauge track.

Model Train Track

Most people still prefer to buy a model train track, which snaps together. These tracks are widely available by many different manufacturers. The track will be laid over a plastic base, which will automatically ground the track allowing you to safely operate your train. These tracks are sold with the appropriate energy hook-ups you will need to be able to send your model train around the track. This gives your track a realistic look.

Flexitrack is a very good model train track for the model railroader who is looking to create realistic tracks for their models to run on. The more serious model railroader will choose to lay their own model train track. Most hand laid track is done by professionals and model train clubs as a group project. For more great information on model train track visit his site at: http://www.ModelTrainsForBeginners.com.

Information You Should Know Before Getting Your Model Train Track

Factors to keep in mind when buying model train track is the size of the train, what you will be doing with the train, where the train will be, and the realism of the tracks.

Buying the right size model train track will allow you to be able to properly send your train around the track with ease. The general rule is to match the scale of the train with the gauge of the track. An example of this would be to have a G scale train on a G scale track. Buying the wrong size track will make it impossible to operate your train correctly.

Some model railroaders believe the only way to properly display a model train is to lay the track themselves. There are model train track kits available, which will include rails, wood ties and railroad spikes. This will allow you to lay your own track as you see fit and have a high degree of realism in your tracks. There is a lot of precision required in laying your own track if you do not want for the train itself to jump track while it is speeding around the track. Where you will be running your train is something you will want to keep in mind when buying your model train track.

 If you are running a G scale train outside, you will want to avoid an aluminum track. While the track is inexpensive, it is highly vulnerable to corrosion and unsuitable for use on an outdoor track. Those looking for a model train track, which will truly represent how the track would look in real life, should consider using flexitrack. David Blackburn has had a passion for Model Trains for over 20 years. For more great information on model train track visit his site at: http://www.ModelTrainsForBeginners.com

How to Quickly And Easily Lay A Model Train Track

You're filled with excitement as you open up the model train set you just bought. You find several sites that supposedly explain how to quickly and easily lay a model train track. But they seem just as confusing as the directions that came with the train. If you want to learn how to quickly and easily lay a model train track, simply read on. All of your answers will be provided step-by-step below.

1. Assembling the Materials

This includes: needle-nose pliers, hobby knives, razor saws, track nails and a small hammer.

2. Lay the Track without Assembling

The second step to laying a model train track involves getting a mental idea of what you need to do by laying it on a table.

3. Pay Attention to the Nail Hole

This particular step is vital when it comes to laying a model train track. Look closely at one of the train track pieces. It is used to help interconnect the tracks. With this hole as your guide, put marks around your tracks. 

4. Install the Roadbed

You can not properly lay a model train track without a roadbed. Just make sure you lift up the train track pieces and place them in another location, so you can do what you need to for installing the roadbed. 
5. Lay the Tracks

Now place the model train tracks onto the roadbed you just created. fasten them with the track nails you got from the hobby shop. You now know how to quickly and easily lay a model train track. You can learn more about model rains and model train layouts on my website http://www.ModelTrainsForBeginners.com

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