Strong tools equals stable layout. Here is an area where it pays to buy the best. Tools will do several things for you, the most important of which is make this jack of all master of none hobby you’ve chosen bearable. Without files, clipper, rulers, squares and a multitude of additional effort enhancing instruments… detailing and drafting turnouts, landscapes, tunnels, trestles and trees would be a true challenge.

Now… if you’re an avid modeler, you know the tools needed in your toolbox, although there may be a handful of newbies out there who may need a check list, so here goes…

• Screwdriver
• Mill file
• NMRA gauge
• Needle files
• Paint brushes (1″,  2″,  ½”) 
• Nippers
• Soldering iron
• Hobby knife
• Tweezers
• Needle nose pliers (6″)

What Are YOU to Do With These Instruments of Mass Creation

Screwdrivers are self explanatory. There are hundreds if not thousands of joints needing attention. The attention we recommend is a stiff screw in a beveled hole!

Mill files come in handy for smoothing all sorts of edges, from metal rail to plastic shavings.

NMRA gauges are sanctioned by the National Model Railroad Association. Their precise measurements will be useful in the adjusting of wheels assessment of gauge or width of track. This handy tool of the trade will run anywhere from 10 to 13 dollars. Not bad for such precision!

Needle files are used for truly fine detailing. The smallest of small, the tiniest of tiny… these jobs will require equally talented tiny tools!

Paint brushes… Yeah, you guessed it, paint brushes are used in… yep, painting!

I don’t think its necessary to elaborate on the simple strokes and detailing strides of  coloring, although at some stage in your modelers hobby, you’ll be waxing on and waxing off as The Karate Kid would say!

Nippers or flush cutting pliers… AWESOME for nipping rails into shape. Look out for flailing debris upon snipping. A pair of your coolest, safest safety glasses are recommended!

Soldering Irons will smelt your heart away (LOL). Touching the tip of your hot iron to a connection through rosin signals the beginning of a beautiful relationship. Once you’ve developed a steady hand and an eye for decoding color wire connections, your absolute dependence on your soldering iron will be undeniable! Usually a 30 watt-er will do the trick.

Knife… In truth, It doesn’t matter the size just make sure it cuts  although Hobby Knives are the BEST! Some of you art guys may know this as an X-ACTO Knife. These handy helpers have gritty handles for stern grip and sharp as tack blades and points for precision carving.

Tweezers are always good to have around when handling tiny miniatures, especially model train sets . Be warned my modeling friends, as I found good tweezers to be quite expensive… considering their relatively simple design compared to price. Most places want a good $5 to $8 bucks for a steely eyed pair!

Needle nose pliers – Snouty little devils will set you free when there are tediously small things to handle. Grab tiny fibers, little accessories and twist miniatures into position with the under appreciated aid of needle nose pliers.

There may be some tools we left out the equation. Feel free to leave comments, as we want to hear from you!

By the way, if you have little ones who are into Thomas the toy train then click the highlighted links. In addition don’t be a stranger to www.railroad-modeler.com, we’re here for you… so stop in and leave a post or drop off a comment… see you soon!

Read about “A New Approach to Creating Model Buildings” using the new Evan Designs Model Train Software by clicking the link for article title or by clicking to the right under pages!

Model Builder Screen Capture

See the article “Building A Home Layout” by clicking this link or by clicking on the link to the right.

Southport Station on the author's Eie Lackawanna's Chemung Sub Division home layout. While the Erie Lackawanna was a prototype, the autor used "creative thinking" for the Chemung Sub Division based on the area that he grew up in.

Visiting a show can be a worthwhile time investment in your hobby. There are basically two different types of shows that you can attend.

The first show that I will mention here is really a combination of a sales event and an opportunity for local clubs to set up and display their modular layouts. You will typically find hobby shops from all over a region or even the country set up at these events. This is a great opportunity for us to browse the show and find the best deals on those items that we have been drooling over for months. You will also find that many of the dealers will have those hard to find items, as well as, those discontinued items that you have been looking for and have been unable to find! Normally all scales are represented in new and used condition. Many times manufacturers are at these shows to introduce new upcoming items.

The second type of show is typically a show that a local club or group of clubs will put on together. Many times this type of show is designed to increase the exposure of Model Railroading to the general public or as a fund raiser for the local club(s). The show normally does not include sales and is usually based on one certain scale of model railroading. By attending one of these types of shows, you can get many ideas and learn many facets of the hobby that you may not be familiar with to use on your own layout.

Attending a show of either type is very interesting, informative and just plain fun. You can normally find information about these shows in model railroading magazines or at the Model Railroader Magazine website .

Below are some photos from a show that is held every year in Stone Mountain, GA. The show is normally held the last weekend in July and the clubs that come together to combine their modular layouts donate the proceeds from the show to the host of the event, SmokeRise Baptist Church. This show is intended to promote modular railroading in HO Scale.

These pictures are from the SmokeRise July 2005 show and all of the modules shown in the pictures join together to form one giant layout that fills this entire gymnasium.

…All too many times, as I’ve seen over the years, situations change due to job changes, upgrades in homes, and the all time bone-chilling comment from the wife, “Honey, now that the kids are grown and gone, we don’t need this big house anymore!” So as one of these situations brings about the change, the saws, hammers and crowbars appear, and no matter how hard we try to salvage the layout in hopes of reusing at least some of it, it all seems to come down in a matter of hours! “EASY GO!”

Along with this phenomenon comes a great deal of sadness, but also another glimpse of excitement and joy, as new dreams begin to appear in our heads of the next greater layout!…