Many people wonder why model railway trains are so popular. They often think of these as toys and nothing more, but model railway trains are much, much more than simple toys. They are in fact amazing pieces of machinery that can not only simulate a real world train, but can also provide a level of joy and amusement that one could previously only find in their childhood days.
When you were young there is a chance that you thought about becoming a train engineer, but as you grew older you discovered that it either did not pay as much as you thought, or perhaps you found something else you were interested in. Either way, reality sinks in pretty hard at times, but not all is lost! We can once again experience the thrill of a train by taking advantage of model railway trains.
One of the most interesting things about model trains is that they can be virtually any theme, virtually any type of scenery, and you can choose your control scheme freely. If you wish, your train could run on batteries, electricity, or even steam if you so desire. Keep in mind that steam is a bit more expensive, but you will pay the price for any type of power source you choose.
There are several different train sizes that you might choose, and they range from the N scale to the G scale. The G scale is not widely used, but for those who have the room it is a wonderful addition to an attic or garden. The N scale is small enough to be used virtually anywhere even though it does not work well with DCC. It will work, but you need an expert to perform the board installation if you want to get anywhere.
The tracks for model trains come in a huge variety, from curved pieces, to straight pieces, and you can even find flexible track that will permit you to create a course in any way you can imagine. Flexible tracks will prove to be quite useful for those who have complex terrain as they will not need to compromise their design in order to accommodate the track. As you probably know by now, no one wants to move a body of water two inches to the left just because they did not account for the size and position of the track.
On that note, benchwork is yet another very important part of your model trains. The right benchwork can spell success, and the wrong benchwork can spell annoyance. It is most important that you build or choose benchwork that can be easily disassembled, especially if you plan to take your model railway trains to shows or even move them in the future. If your benchwork is too permanent you will not be able to take it anywhere, and this can get to be a problem. So with that in mind choose the right benchwork as well as any other accessories for your railway model train.