Build Model Railway Trains

My weekend hobby is to build model railway trains. I’ve been working from model kits since my teens and until recently, the majority of my time has been spent on military figures and race cars. I’ve wanted to try model railroading for a long time and last year decided it was time to convert part of my basement into a working HO scale subway.

Prior to my HO model subway project, I had a traditional HO scale model railroad. I built it for my son and I to use, but ultimately abandoned it because I didn’t like the way it looked. I hadn’t honed my skills enough to be really proud of my work. It looked pretty amateurish and I was eager to learn the real secrets and professional techniques of building model railway trains.

As you probably already know, there is a ton of free information on the internet about all aspects of model railroading. A lot of the information was pretty useless, and over the years I learned it could only take me so far. Nothing that I have found has helped me more than the ebook Model Trains for Beginners.

I Decided To Build My Model Railway Subway Trains Fantasy

My model subway project has been a true labor of love. I invested the time and energy to learn to build model railway trains and scenery that I feel is very realistic and reflective of the time period I wanted to capture.  As I said it took me almost a year to complete but as you will see this project was enormous and I feel it was time well spent.

My subway model railway trains encompass 3 blocks of Bleeker Street in New York City in the 1980′s at street level, one level below- the Bleeker Street Subway level, and even a level below that, which I use as a sort of subway graveyard where I have various graffiti covered abandoned cars and equipment. There is also a mountain scene with elevated and lower rails to the left of the street scene. My inspiration was taking the subway from far out on the 6 train, say from the Bronx, and riding into Manhattan.

This first picture here shows the skills I learned in both kitbashing and scratch building railway trains and the buildings to be displayed on street level. My model railway trains subway project seemed to take on a life of it’s own as I became more and more confident of my skills. This is all the buildings and cars and details such as trees, signage, lampposts, street lights, and more all laid out on my dining room table.

This picture above shows the model railway train bridge “elevated subway” I built that comes out of a rock face mountain to the left and plunges into a rock face tunnel to the right. Note the lower track as well. The mountain is to the left and after the trains cycle through here, they go into the subway station and then loop around the back where they can’t be seen. The effect is quite dramatic.

I decided to build 2 model railway trains so I could have 2 tracks going at the same time, to make it more realistic- just like the real subways in New York City- as well as to create more visual interest. The upper level cuts through the mountains and then goes through the Bleeker Street Subway station; the second model railway train track is the lower level. Here is a detail of the lower level showing a graffiti covered subway car that the model railway trains pass by as they cycle through.

And now I want to show you some of the meticulous details of the actual city street, the crowning glory of my double model railway trains project. Here is one street corner with a building and sidewalk construction. I hand made all the window panes, the yellow chute, the tree, and the streetlamp. I also scratch built the construction walkway and added signage details just like they do in real life.

The next image shows the fun I had building my rendition of the Bleeker Street skyline. I scratch built signs with an 80′s- era vibe and even added water tanks and realistic rooftop access doors, complete with artistic graffiti of course. No the Lucky Strike doesn’t have real smoke, but that’s in the plans for this year. The backdrop is hand painted blue to help make the buildings pop, and I really think they do.

The next image shows one of my HO scale city crosswalks. I added details including the subway entrance, 2 benches, newspaper self serve stand, mailbox, street lights, a fire hydrant, trees and more. There are also two striped wooden horses around a manhole cover and a car. I weathered the scene really well and although the picture doesn’t do it justice (my camera doesn’t take close ups very well) I dare say it looks like a real city scene. Some of the building are kits and some are kitbashed. I also made the blue awnings myself.

Do You Want To Build Model Railway Trains?

Like I said, I’ve been building models for years, but when I tried to build model railway trains in the past, they always looked amateurish. This model subway is something I’m really, really proud of. I love what I’ve done and all my model railroad friends love to come by and see my Bleeker Street subway.

If someone told me 2 years ago that I would be able to build model railway trains, buildings, scenery and details as well as I do now, I never would have believed them. After all my best efforts in the past always fell short.

For years I tried learning from my buddies, at train shows, and even on forums, but in truth, most of their stuff wasn’t anything to write home about either. I was lucky enough to find Model Trains for Beginners and give it a try. And that’s when my skill set as a model railroader really took off.

Benefits of Model Trains for Beginners

Although I worked on models for years, I still had beginner skills. This ebook helped me shave years off my learning curve and quickly become a really proficient model railroader. I was looking to build my dream model railroad- for me the Bleeker street HO scale subway station, street and mountain scene- and proudly display it in my basement. I think you can see from the pictures I’ve accomplished this goal pretty nicely.  I now easily make my own trees and other details and the realism is impressive. The techniques I learned have made me into the model railroader I always knew I could be. I never could have created such an ambitious project as this without the help I got from this book.

I also learned a lot about what I was doing wrong. Stuff I just never figured out over the years- like how to do weathering properly, or how to balance the scenery. Learning these shortcuts was invaluable to me. I no longer waste months of my life on a model railway I’m not proud of. Prior to this book, I can’t tell you all the time and money I wasted on trains, backdrops and scenery that didn’t come out the way I wanted.

The other great thing about Model Trains for Beginners is I got to join the Insider’s Club- access to more step by step instructional videos, beginner and advanced tips and tricks to build model railway train layouts, size your layout to fit your space properly, and much, much more.

So What Are You Waiting For?

If you’ve always dreamed of being able to build model railway trains you can be proud of, well then, you’re where I was 2 years ago. Do yourself a favor and get the Model Trains for Beginners today and learn all the tricks to make your model railway come alive.

Don’t do what I did for years and try to figure everything out from other amateurs and by grueling trial and error.  If you have limited time for hobbies like I do, enhancing your skills in the least amount of time seems to me to make the most sense, and will help you get the most satisfaction out of building your model railroad.

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