It can be difficult to get started in the hobby of model railroading. The terminology a beginner needs to learn is daunting for some, particularly for those without experience with or knowledge of prototype railroading. This article explains prototypes and modeling terminology for beginner model railroaders, or those looking to brush up on their model railroading lingo.
Prototype
Period modeling
Many modelers set their layouts in a particular span of time. For example, a modeler may choose a period when steam engines hauled most trains. If the year is 1948, then all locomotives, rolling stock, structures, and vehicles should look like those used during the late 1940s. Period modelers aim for this sort of historical accuracy.
Transition era
Most American railroads changed from steam engines to diesels between 1945 and 1960; thus, this 15-year period is often called the transition era. This time period is one of the most popular choices for model railroaders
Peddler freight
The local freight trains that stopped to pick up and drop off cars at small towns and industry sidings are known as peddler freights but are also sometimes called locals or way freights. A peddler freight was usually short (10 to 15 cars) and was assigned lightweight, versatile locomotives that could handle switching at individual sidings as well as hauling a train on the main line.
Intersted in learning more about what prototypes can teach us out model railroading? Click here to check out Applying Lessons From the Prototype, written by Tony Koester!
Good luck Louie!
Norman, I would browse the books available from MRR as they are great for learning and getting inspiration. Also browse the track database, etc. for ideas of what you would like to use in your layout. One piece of advice on the books, I found I could get many more books for my money by getting used versions from Amazon. I've ended up getting about 20 books used for what I'd have gotten for 8 new ones. I also got the MRR discs that covered all of the MRR magazines from 1934 to 2009. This gives you a wealth of knowledge at your fingertips.
At 53 years of age, I am starting my very first endeavor into model railroading! The excitement and ongoing trek into ho trains have been due (in most part) to model railroader and their affiliates, as well as their readers comments. Well done, and keep up the great work, with much thanks… louie
Hi Folks,
Had an HO set as a kid and loved it. Over the years, have wanted to get back in, but kids and work kept me away. I am close to retirement and would like to start again. Need to find out about how to start, layouts, track types…A lot to research, but cannot wait!
Many years ago my sons and I started setting up HO scale trains in different configurations, just to watch them run. We were never that interested in scenery, we just wanted a lot of track, switches, engines, rolling stock, etc.
Now I'm getting ready to retire, and I want to restart this for the grand kids. Some of the old stuff I still have in storage, and i will eventually get it out to use with what I've ordered so far.
Again, as before, it will be lots of track, and little scenery. Perhaps later I will get into scenery once we have a place where I can put the layout down permanently. Right now it has to be portable, and easy to move and store. It will be a basic 4×8 layout. Later I may expand it more.
I look forward into getting my first layout set up this winter.
Norman Prevatte
Fredericksburg, VA
I'm only 19 Months late on this subject(original post 2-10), but as they say"Better late than never!" This is my FIRST post here at MR and after reading the posts, I was ready to get out there to the MR followers. I am not new to model railroading. As a modeler I am, but as an enthusiast I'm not. My father was a model railroader from 1963 until 1976. Steam was his thing. He grew up in the 30's – 40's so thats what he modeled. I grew up in the 60's-70's and F7,GP38's and GP9's were my trains of choice. As a kid my fathers trains were "OFF LIMITS" to me. Now, at the age of 47, I have my OWN TRAINS to enjoy. I was on e-bay one day and got a great deal on some really nice cars and loco's. That's all it took and I was hooked!!!
I live in a small apartment and my layout, 8'x 3'4" isn't what I had hoped to have,but it's a great start and I am having the time of my life building it. My girlfriend and I enjoy looking at other layouts on MR web site and watching Cody's tips on how to do just about anything you can think of.Though my railroad is not an EMPIRE, it is my little piece of the world that I can call my own. We are saving up to buy a house in the near future, hopefully one with a basement or nice sized 'EXTRA ROOM" that I can expand my layout in, but until then I am honing my skills on what I have to make what I want a reality. So in short, Don't let space be an issue. Enjoy the hobby with what you have,It's YOURS….Have fun with it….
this is a great hobby without a doubt never stop learning we learn aout one thing and find several ways to model it.it is a whole lot of fun bar none.crt/friends 4m 4w
I've been working on my first new layout after 41 years of being away. When I was in high school I began to model a semi-fictitious steam-powered weed-grown Missouri Pacific branch line in the Ark-La-Tex region, heavily based on the MP branch line I grew up with back home in Louisiana. 41 years later I am still doing the same branch, with the same town names. But today the equipment is much more finely detailed and DCC/sound makes operation 1000% more fun.
I am new at this too. We went to some classes at a convention and got completely overwhelmed. My advice: Take it one step at a time. We tend to get ahead of ouselves then get frustrated when its not what we want right away. Start with benchwork and keep researching and reading. Plan out what type of layout and HAVE FUN! 🙂 We just layed our foam roadbed and are getting ready to lay track. Can't wait! 🙂 Model Railroad Mag has been a great help!
I attended my first model railroading show last month. I miss the time and fun I used to have running my train. I had a Lionel steam loco with 5 cars that I got for Christmas when I was 8. During my college years my mom gave it away to a friend's kid. I wasn't so mad then, but sure miss it now. I bought an HO set for my son when he was 3. He's 26 now. I'm looking forward to setting up his old railroad soon. Looking to add some HO racing stuff, too. I still have my Aurora set from the 60's…lol…
It has been nearly 30 years since I 'played with my trains.' Now in my forties, I am looking to build from the ground up. While my father still is the keeper of the trains I use to play with (even though they are mine and packed in his attic), I realize that he is not going to give them up.
As a child, i could have cared less in I was using steam engines or diesels, or if my 'prototypes' were accurate. Today, I want to ensure that whatever period I am modeling after is 'historically correct.' While I do not have a son, I do have a 4 year old daughter. My thoughts are that not only can this be a lesson in history, it can also teach a craft and be quality 'daddy-daughter' time.
I am looking forward to buying and building. While I do not want my excitement to rush through this, I am feeling overly zealous. Certainly, I know that this magazine and site, with a few shows are going to be incredible resources. As a side note, I still have a ton of Model Railroaders from yesteryear – still an invaluable resource!
Good Luck Jeffrey. I to modeled a railroad and racetrack for my children, but that was 40 yrs ago. Now I am retired and have more time and space, I too am just getting back into the game. I too am collecting stock and doing diaramas, and doing lots of painting and weathering with hope that some day when the wood and track work begin in earnest, that all will fit together as planned. Again good luck and have fun, I think for me this having fun is what this will be all about.
When I left my local hobby shop, I couldn't wait to get started on my first layout. The only thing I ran into was comming up with the room to start. I rent a home right now, so my excuse for NOT getting started was, no place to put a railroad the way I want to do it. So, I've decided to do as much research and collecting things I want on my layout. I know once my family and I get into our own home I will be starting five minutes after we move in on bench work to get up and running soon after… I hope!
I will have a harbor and pleanty of scenery, I want to do a ficticious mountain route that has passenger stops at some type of mountain resort in the 1930's era. It will have a lumber mill, and all the equiptment needed for logging and transporting finnished product. There will be a small town to have the deliveries sent to and from there it will be sent to various customers. I want to make sure I don't bite off more than I can chew. Any suggestion for a very very first timer, I enjoyed making models as a kid and now that I'm older and have more mone than I did as a kid, I want to try this….. I think this will be the best thing I can leave for my kids after I'm gone, something they can have fun with too.
Peace and Blessings
Jeffrey A. White
I too am in my late 40s, and had lots and lots of model railroading stuff all packed away until that one day in my own home I can rebuild.But someone stole everything out of storage(sniff sniff to this day 25 yrs later).But I married a beautiful woman that has put me back on track(oh yeah intended) Just purchased a new (oh the excitement) Class "J" 4-8-4 (yea baby). But alas I to feel your pains,I am also a renter with no place to build, for now. My railroad empire will soon emerge in my home somewhere in these great states of ours, just not this one.Good luck people and have fun! don
In South Africa we had Lima until the late '70's. When that dissapeared off the market we really struggled to get anything. Now we have it all available again and that prompted me to start my layout for the first time. I agree – it's all about fun. I have a british based layout set in roughly the era 1939 – 43, although I pretty much run anything, including my other love – American and South African Diesels.
May I take this opportunity of thanking each and everyone associated with Model Railroader for your great imput into a wonderful hobby.
Well Done!
Fun is what it's all about. After some 25 years, I've finally started my model railroad. Starting with the Marklin trains my father bought in 1964, I have been collecting additional pieces for my layout since 1985. It won't be prototype driven. It won't be era realistic. My German Federal Railroad Class 24 steam locomotive will run along side my overhead electric fed ICE train. My goal is to pack as much track, trains and scenery as I can into the space I have. Oh yeah, my Faller AMS slot cars will be part of the layout as well. Even though it won't have quite the realism of the layouts I see in MR, it's exactly what I want. Just the same, the information in MR is a great help in making my railroad a reality. Thanks!