As you choose a hobby, model railroad trains are a great way to combine technical skills with creativity. The model train world includes many different options for you to choose from. There are train scale and track gauge decisions to suit each individual person.

One of your first decisions will be train scale -- ranging from g to o to ho to n for most enthusiasts. G is the largest, and n is the smallest. The type of train you choose will depend highly on what you like and what you plan to do with your train set. Many people choose to build some rather elaborate scenery, and for this reason a smaller train might be in order.

Realism is the keynote of model trains. From children to adults, people love to have a sense of control over the miniature world that is their model railroad layout. Getting to control and drive the train itself can add the extra excitement of something dynamic and moving.

This is a very healthy and fun hobby. Many individuals set aside complete rooms in their home for their model train layout and scenery.

Scenery includes cities, towns, the great outdoors with realistic trees and rivers that flow through your layout. When you pick the model train scale you will use, this will affect the amount of detail you can put into your scenery. Consequently, think about this issue when you pick your scale for your model train world.

People getting into model trains need to keep two main numbers in mind. The first is the model train scale itself, which tells you the fraction of a real train that your train is going to be. Track gauge is the other number -- it measures the distance between the rails. For a reasonable sized train, o scale may be one to consider, as it is large enough to allow for realism in the details. With more limited space for your hobby, though, you may want to look into HO model train scale.

Historically, the original 00 scale train was replaced by the HO model train. Many people prefer HO because of its moderate size. The smallest size in common use these days is N scale, which is becoming very popular as well. Of course, if you opt for smaller trains, your scenery can be more extensive and elaborate.

One exciting feature of the smaller N or Z scale model trains is that you can set up multiple levels of scenery in your layout. The modern digital command control or DCC allows you to arrange a very realistic route for your trains. Sometimes, though, it can be a bit harder to arrange for DCC for smaller scale trains. Since Z scale is truly tiny, it can be hard to arrange for the digital command control routing of your trains, something to consider again as you choose your model train scale.

You might be able to create your own DCC board for it if you are adept with electronics, but it would be very difficult otherwise. Model train supplies are available from many good hobby stores and online sources to help out.

Educate yourself on what you have to choose from. You can find a scenery setup that will work well with any of the model train scales. Your layout may take up just a corner in a room or a whole room unto itself. Expert hobbyists suggest that you use enough interesting curves and turns in your arrangement of the tracks so that it stays more interesting for you than watching your train go around and around in a simple circle all the time.

If you want a true garden model railroad, you may want to consider the LGB size train. The current g scale model trains are relatives of the LGB trains, which are at home in the garden outdoor environment. In general, whatever you choose needs to be the right set of model railroad trains for you.

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