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Best Model Train Books for Beginners That Actually Get Trains Running

Posted by Tony Marchetti on 2nd Feb 2026

Best Model Train Books for Beginners That Actually Get Trains Running
I spent 28 years at the CTA fixing things that didn't work. Broken door motors, failed compressors, electrical gremlins that made seasoned mechanics scratch their heads. You know what I learned? The guys who read the manuals first made fewer mistakes. The guys who winged it? They created problems th …

Model Train Hobby Age Recommendations: A Practical Guide for Every Stage

Posted by Patricia Nakamura on 2nd Feb 2026

Model Train Hobby Age Recommendations: A Practical Guide for Every Stage
When I inherited my father's half-finished N scale layout back in 2011, I remember staring at the boxes of locomotives and rolling stock, each one stamped with that intimidating "14+" warning. My nephew was seven at the time and utterly fascinated. I found myself wondering: was I supposed to lock th …

Model Railroading 101 Complete Guide: From Benchwork to Operations

Posted by Harold Lindgren on 19th Jan 2026

Model Railroading 101 Complete Guide: From Benchwork to Operations
I spent 40 years building houses in the St. Croix Valley before I picked up model railroading in 2018. My wife told me I needed a hobby that didn't leave sawdust in the kitchen, and trains seemed like a natural fit. Four layouts later, I've learned that building a reliable model railroad isn't all t …

Choosing Your First Model Train Locomotive: The No-Regrets Guide for 2025

Posted by Tamara Brooks on 31st Dec 2025

Choosing Your First Model Train Locomotive: The No-Regrets Guide for 2025
I'm going to be blunt with you: the locomotive you buy first will shape everything that comes after. Your track geometry. Your budget. Whether you stick with this hobby or abandon it in frustration within eighteen months. I've watched too many newcomers make preventable mistakes, and I'm tired of se …