Operation Manual

23
“users“. The challenges are still there: Dust, high humidity, and extreme temperature changes are
poison for a model railroad layout.
The space should therefore be dry and easy to clean. If you are going to have a model railroad
in the cellar, it is very important that you pay attention to humidity. Humidifi ers can improve the
“climate“ of the space considerably. The space for the model railroad should have good lighting
and enough wall outlets. A heating system can help reduce the temperature swings which can be
extreme in an attic.
Once you have selected the space, the following factors become defi nite: If you are going to have
long parade routes, you need space for a large station, or should it be a mountain route with many
curves? These ideas also determine the shape of the layout.
But, a little caution: Every location on the layout should remain accessible for cleaning and re-
pairs.
Steam Locomotive or ICE
A large layout or a diorama, fantasy scenery or a reproduction of reality – model railroading is rich
in variety and is colorful. Every model railroader builds his/her own world. We want to give you an
overview of the many ways you can design and build your model railroad.
First, we will deal with the points that must be decided before actually building a layout. These
points involve the selection of the layout size and the historical era in which the model railroad is
to be set.
Everyone can decide on their own how much they want to adhere to this. While an ICE 3 and a
class 10 steam locomotive would never be seen together in the prototype, there are no such limits
for a model railroader. – Because no limits can be placed on a model railroader – everything is
possible.
The Eras
One of the most beautiful aspects of model railroading is that you can reproduce the world of rail-
roading with steam locomotives as well as the current era with its colorful private railroads and the
fast ICEs or the beginning of railroading with the famous “Adler“, the fi rst German train.
The history of German railroading from the beginnings in 1835 to the present has been divided up
into fi ve eras. The defi nition of the different eras is based on essential time periods such as the
establishment of railroads, nationalization in the form of the German State Railroad in 1920, the
German Federal Railroad era, and the present or the new time period.
Each era has a typical look involving locomotives and cars, railroad installations, and buildings. If
you adhere to the division of the eras, the result will be authentic reproductions of earlier railroad
periods from the locomotive down to the signals. However, it can be attractive to cross over the
time lines. Why should you do without a beautiful model just because it does not fi t into the era for
your layout? Having fun is what counts. So, on your layout the Prussian T3 from 1882 can run next
to the latest regional express.
Scales
Probably the most important measurement of size in model railroading is scale. It expresses how
much smaller the model railroad is in comparison to the prototype. A locomotive in H0 Scale, i.e.
the scale of 1:87, is 87 times smaller than the prototype locomotive. Particular names or designa-
tions are assigned to the scales.
The names or designations can be traced back to the fi rst system railroad offered by Märklin. The
width between the rails for it was 48 mm / 1-7/8“ measured from railhead to railhead. The locomo-
tives and cars were manufactured in a scale of about 1:32. Märklin designated this size as I Scale.
All other scales were derived from this. Larger locomotives and cars appeared in the scales II and
III. For models in the scale of 1:45 Märklin selected the next smaller designation 0. In 1935 Märklin
introduced the tabletop railroad, which was half as large as 0 Scale. This railroad in a scale of 1:87
was given the name 00. Today it is called H0 (half zero or half “oh“) and it has become the most
popular scale all over the world. H0 offers excellent detailing and pleasing layout size.
Layout Shapes
A model railroad needs a permanent place if at all possible. Homeowners are in the best position
for this, because a cellar or an attic can be converted for this purpose. Renters also know how
to eke out some space for a model railroader, even if the layout has to share space with other
Rectangle: This shape is particularly
suitable for small layouts.
Modular Shape: This type of layout
is good for the model railroader,
who doesn‘t have a lot of space.
The modules can be stored in the
smallest of space after you are
through running trains.
„L“ Shape: This layout can fi t
into a corner, thus allowing
you to use the rest of the
space for other purposes.
An Overview of Layout Shapes
„U“ Shape: This
layout offers
lots of space but
remains quite ac-
cessible.