There isn t enough space inside our home to build the layout we want to build and operate. Beginners often think of model railroad layouts as a train going around an oval track on top of a sheet of plywood. Real railroads do not operate in circles. For example, a big freight train will depart Roseville Yard for its destination of West Colton Yard. When it arrives at West Colton Yard, the train s cars will be reclassified and placed in other trains enroute to other destinations.
Local trains switch the local industries.
There are numerous layout books available with plans for many types and shapes of model railroads. The model railroads you will see at International Railfair are modular railroads. A modular layout consists of individual modules that are clamped together to create one model railroad. Legs fold out from underneath the module and the required electrical wiring drops down at both ends of the module. The module is moved into place, clamped to other modules, and the wires plugged together to link the entire modular railroad to the operating system.