| Anyone who says model railroading is not a | | | | Do not mix eras by putting a 1970's building in a |
| creative hobby does not know what they are | | | | turn of the century Western theme. Another |
| talking about. Model railroading involves using a | | | | example would be putting a 1980's Honda model |
| variety of skills, and constructing model railroad | | | | automobile in fifties-era scenery. |
| scenery requires a degree of creativity. | | | | Study the architecture of the buildings from that |
| It is possible to buy many scenery accessories | | | | time period. Find out what kind of shrubs and |
| off the shelf at your local hobby shop, but it is | | | | trees are likely to be found in that area. Little |
| also a lot of fun (and often cheaper) to make | | | | details can add to the realism to your model |
| trees and other scenery yourself. | | | | railroad scenery. Ask at your local hobby shop |
| Scenery is basically the geographical setting your | | | | about buying suitable buildings in kit set form, or |
| trains travel through. It is really important to | | | | you may prefer to scratch build them yourself |
| match the right scenery accessories with the | | | | with balsawood and paint. |
| geographical location. As an example, certain trees | | | | Model railroading accessories like coal loaders, |
| only grow in certain locations, so it would be out | | | | control towers, water tanks, and conveyors can |
| of place to put a tall pine tree in a desert scene. | | | | add a sense of authenticity to your model railroad |
| Constructing the countryside and cityscape | | | | layout. Many of these and other model train |
| through which your trains will travel can be | | | | accessories can be purchased from hobby shops |
| tremendous fun. You not only need consider | | | | or from online train stores. |
| geographic location, you also need to consider the | | | | To build a fully working scene can add a real |
| era, and relative prosperity of the area being | | | | dimension and give a model railroad layout a sense |
| modeled. | | | | of purpose for being there. It is amazing, because |
| The season is another factor to take into | | | | when you start building model railroad scenery |
| consideration when designing scenery. You will | | | | you suddenly become very aware of the details |
| want colourful leaves in fall and maybe some | | | | in the real world around you. Adding similar details |
| pretty flowers in spring or summer. Get model | | | | to a model railroad scene can add incredible reality |
| trees that look like native species from your | | | | to the overall effect. |
| hobby shop or make them yourself. | | | | |