| There are many different type of lay outs for | | | | the next step is to decide what layout one will do. |
| the serious model train hobbyist. There are also | | | | There are plenty of books with pictures and not |
| different type of scales. When choosing what | | | | to mention the internet that will give one a sense |
| type of layout one wants it is important to keep | | | | of what to do. Looking at such pictures one can |
| in mind what type of scale one will use. As far as | | | | get an idea about different geographical features |
| scales go for different types of model trains go, | | | | of a given area. The 2 most popular landscapes |
| the most popular ones are O, HO and N. The | | | | to recreate seem to be forest and mountains and |
| garden sized trains are usually the G model. The | | | | desert landscapes. When one looks at other |
| smallest ones are labeled Z. This type are so | | | | examples one will be able see different examples |
| small, one could design an entire set on top of a | | | | of depths that can be achieved by various sizes |
| table. | | | | and features. |
| The model G is great as an outdoor model and | | | | Deciding on the layout is similar to what a |
| model train hobbyist will build these in their | | | | landscape architect would do. One needs to sit |
| gardens and use some very realistic gardens. One | | | | down with a pencil and paper and first do a rough |
| favorite trick in the book when building a train set | | | | drawing. After doing that more and more ideas |
| out doors is to make the artificial scenery close | | | | will come up and one can add them to the |
| to where people are standing a little larger than | | | | drawing as it goes. The next thing to keep in mind |
| the scenery in back. This way when the train | | | | would be, is the lay out going to be moved |
| moves away from you to the back, it will create | | | | around? Or is it going to be permanent. If it is |
| a better illusion of traveling further away. There | | | | permanent then obviously one will have greater |
| are people who spend lots of time tediously | | | | flexibility as to what landscape features can be |
| recreating a specific landscape, in order to | | | | done. If one builds tunnels be sure to have hidden |
| enhance the feeling of distance. | | | | access panels so that one can reach the train if |
| Once one has decided on the scale of the train, | | | | need be. |