Wherever a model train set is displayed, you can be certain that it will always capture an audience. Whether it is young children or young in heart adults, the display will always act as a magnet for the train enthusiast and non enthusiast alike. People always like to see a display where something is moving, but the scenery plays a large part in keeping the attention of the viewers.

Obviously in the home environment, space is going to be the limiting factor in deciding how large your track layout will be. While it would be wonderful to take over the whole house and have the tracks everywhere, this is generally not a feasible proposition. However, the amount of space that can be allocated to the model railway, will obviously be a determining factor in what you are able to achieve with the scenery

The most unique aspect of the model train set hobby is that it allows people the opportunity to express themselves artistically through the process of creating scenery for their layout. It is always a challenge to decide what type of scenery to design and create. If you are lucky enough to have a large area at your disposal, you will have the opportunity to design different themes. Smaller areas possibley make it easier as you only have the option to create one theme.

Will you depict an era? Is it going to be a present day time period? How about a town, village or a country scene? If you are really creative, tracks running through the snow capped alps is always an eye catching scene.

Once you have made your decision as to the time period and scenery you would like to create, it is then time to move on to the actual task of constructing the scenery.

Keep in mind that everything that the observer sees should make sense and that the perspective of the landscape is a very important element. The effect you are trying to create is the illusion that your layout appears larger than it actually is. In order to accomplish this, you can use different levels of scenery. Larger trees, houses etc should be in the foreground with items gradually becoming smaller in the background. This will help with the illusion, but make sure that the larger items don’t block out what you place behind them.

As the average person views and only takes in one scene at a time, if you have the opportunity, I would suggest that you set several scenes along the route your train or trains will travel. This will greatly assist in keeping the interest of your viewer. Make sure that each scene gradually merges into the next one.

The actual scenery you create will depend on how artistic you are, as well as how much time and money you are prepared to spend on your masterpiece. If you like making things yourself there are many odd things lying around the house or available free from shops that can all be utilised. Rigid foam insulation that can be cut into various shapes, scrap pieces of wood, old cartons as well as some heavy packing paper can all be successfully used. As you start using your imagination you will find many other things that can also be used to complete your scenery. Some cutting, some pasting and a lot of painting will eventually get the job done.

If time constraints make it difficult to actually create your own scenery and you have the money, you can always purchase scenery either new from your hobby store or from EBay. It doesn’t all have to be completed in one stage, as long as you leave room for the additional items you intend to purchase, it can be done gradually.

Types Of Scenery:

When you are designing your scenery think what you would like to see in a model train display yourself. Put a lot of thought into it as your whole display will be judged on the quality of the scenery.

Mountains and rock formations are a very obvious “must have” as the tunnels and bridges you can put in create a great atmosphere.

If you are able to introduce moving water such as a river, lake or especially a waterfall into the scene this will certainly grab everyones attention. A word of warning. Check the water pressure of your pump outside before connecting it to your display. A fountain spraying the whole of your layout, while being very dramatic, is not recommended!

Another area you can explore, is the possibility of having discreet lighting installed. This could effectively create some stunning evening sunset and night time scenes.

Once you have the major items in place, you can then gradually fill in the blank spaces with trees, groundcover, houses, roads etc. To give your masterpiece a relistic touch, a few human figures and animals would be perfect.