How to Take Care of Your Model Trains

he components necessary to build up a successful				• make sure you always wipe dust and
model train layout are expensive –				dirt off the model train collection components. Use
locomotives, rolling stock, tracks, power				a soft cloth or a soft sponge when doing this.
controllers, buildings, landscaping, to list just some				This will help prevent dirt accumulating, particularly
– these are all expensive. It is no wonder				in many of the surface ridges. An accumulation of
that the hobby of setting up and maintaining a				dirt can potentially, over time, destroy the
model train collection is considered one of the				paintwork and can inhibit the proper functioning of
more costly hobbies that you can become				any of the individual items;
involved in. However, that does not stop many				• if you are using batteries to operate
thousands, may be hundreds of thousands of				your model train, as many people still do, take
people, spending a considerable amount of money				them out of the train if you will not be using your
on their model train collections.				train for some time. Batteries leak if not in use
Because of the significant amount of money you				for a period of time. The leakage could damage
will have invested in establishing your model train				the model train because the chemicals in batteries
collection, it is essential that you should take all the				are harsh and abrasive;
necessary measures to ensure that it is properly				• if you are operating electric control of
cared for. You would not want to have your				your trains, make sure the tracks which carry the
investment to end up in the trash.				current are kept clean. Otherwise the proper
You will find that taking good care of your model				functioning of your model train layout can be
train collection will save you a significant amount				severely affected;
of money for repair and maintenance in the years				• let the locomotive of your model train
to come.				run on its own power. Try to avoid touching a
The following simple guidelines should remind you				locomotive when it is operating. Doing so can
of the basic essentials of the good habits you				often cause damage to the motor.
need to develop that will help take care of your				While you may find that the tasks of maintaining
very valuable model train collection and maintain it				your model train collection properly, such as
in prime working condition:				keeping it clean and safely stored, are somewhat
• make sure you store the most				tedious, and tend to detract from the enjoyment
expensive parts of your model train collection				you get from having and operating your model
– the locomotives and rolling stock				trains on your layout, the development of good
–all the wagons, carriages, etc in a safe				maintenance habits will, in the long run, add to
place when they are not in use. They should				your enjoyment by providing a well functioning,
preferably be in a cupboard or containers to				good looking model train collection.
prevent dust and moisture affecting them. If you				And - it will save you money by not requiring
have your model train layout in your garage or in				costly replacements for poorly functioning
a basement, make sure it is damp proof;				components.