The Model Railroader's Depot
About This Site
Welcome. This page is a repository of my notes and experiences in the wonderful hobby of model railroading. I have been building and collecting for over 20 years, specializing in HO scale models of the Pennsylvania Railroad. Here, I hope to share some of what I've learned about creating realistic layouts and maintaining a collection.
Understanding Scales
The first thing a new hobbyist must understand is scale. This refers to the ratio between the model and the real-world train it represents. Common scales include Z (1:220), N (1:160), HO (1:87), S (1:64), and O (1:48). HO is the most popular scale due to its balance of detail and size.
Building Scenery
Making realistic scenery is an art form. I use a combination of plaster cloth over a wire mesh frame to create terrain. Trees can be made from lichen or purchased from manufacturers like Woodland Scenics. The key is to look at real-world photographs and try to replicate the colors and textures.