There's something magical about having model train kits that are made out of real wood. For many lifelong hobbyists, their first train set was a simple wooden system that even the littlest kids could put together and play with in creative ways. Wood just makes the best material for kids' toys due in no small part to its durability - and in the case of some teething youngsters, its chewability - and trains are no different. This certainly doesn't stop at the locomotive: Everything from scenery, landscape, buildings, and other accessories not only bring on the best effect but are more likely to last when they have that genuine wooden texture. 

The simplest but most effective touches can take carefully crafted pieces of wood and turn them into something that can truly transport kids - and adults - to a different time and place. Just as important as the train when it comes to genuine materials are the tracks. This key component to model train engineering is something the eye will be trained to whenever you're watching the trains on the move. In some respects, the tracks are even more seen than the trains themselves, considering all the ground that they cover. When you think about how much plastic is used in just about everything, it's nice to be able to look into your kids' rooms and see them playing with something a bit more naturally based. Nowadays, it's easier than ever to create your own wooden model train tracks. This can be a fun activity for parents to do with their children or it can be a great way to do a memorable DIY gift that might even last a lifetime.

Short Answer

If you own or have access to a 3D printer, you can make just about any type of model train track you want: curved, straight, bridges, and everywhere in between. Without this modern advancement in engineering, building your own wooden tracks can still be done - but it definitely takes more time and care, a labor of love. Read on to find out how any dedicated scale locomotive engineer can craft their own authentic wooden model train tracks.

How to Make a Wooden Train Track That Spirals Around

While it might seem impossible at first, building a spiraling wooden track for your model locomotives isn't just a scale engineer's wild dream and an impossibility of physics. Using sophisticated 3D printing techniques, you can create your own precision track parts that give you the exact curve you need for beautiful spiraling action. Today's 3D printers are no longer limited to printing objects in synthetic plastic materials. There are now numerous options - including wood! Printing with a wood filament brings out the details of more complex models better than plastic or metal, and - something that's very relevant for track design - the pieces interlock and fit together all the better. When it comes to your model tracks, wood is often actually the material of choice for this very reason. By using wooden bases to complement your genuine wood track parts, you can make sure your locomotives have something to run on that looks as authentic as they do. Using this spiraling technique with the help of precision parts, it's easy to make a train that runs around the whole room and fills up the entirety of the space. White birch, maple, and European beech are the big three when it comes to recommended wood type for your tracks. Making tracks out of these genuine materials is highly rewarding but also takes a bit of extra planning. Three different bits are required in order for these kinds of layouts to run successfully: one to make a female connector using a single pass, one for the male connector in two passes, and a final bit for the actual tracks. So where can you find these particular bits pre-made, if you're not one of those with access to your own 3D printer? MLCS, Hartford Tool, and Rockler are the three main sources for quality bits suitable for use in wooden tracks. Whiteside is among the most trusted suppliers of these bits, and the only place you can be sure that's where there coming from is at Hartford Tool - so some hobbyists will only shop there.

Basic 3D Printed Track Supports

No matter which brand you end up choosing for your wooden tracks, it'll likely come equipped with some simple wooden pier pieces. These are used to bring the tracks up to the appropriate height for forming bridges and the like. In most cases, you won't need any extra reinforcement to hold the bridge together. Unfortunately, most model engineers aren't working under completely controlled conditions, and you can never predict when exactly the next hurricane - say, an enthusiastic youngster - will come in and knock the whole delicate operation over. With the simple addition of plastic piers tightly and discretely clipped along your wooden track, you can do a lot to ensure the safety of your models and save you countless hours of tedious and - yes, sometimes a little frustrating - reconstruction jobs. With strategic placement, you'll barely even notice them so they won't distract from the authentic look of the tracks Of course, sometimes it's fun to make a show of your work. Adding elaborate bridge supports can create a distinct look and feel to your bridges, and it's easy to texture the plastic with modeling paints to give it the desired effect.

Designing Supports for a Spiral Ramp

The trick to creating a spiraling effect, which is truly beautiful to behold when you get it right, is to get each support at just the right height, climbing steadily higher and higher. Whether you're working by hand or with a 3D printer, you can design each support height you need and batch them when necessary. A quick guide to proper heights for your levels are 0 millimeters at L0 or floor level, 65 millimeters for L1 or bridge level and single-tier supports, 130 millimeters for L2, and 195 millimeters at L3. These are good numbers to adhere to - otherwise, you're risking a model toppling off the track at any time, endangering the entire kit. For a complete spiral using the following method, you'll need 12 curved pieces and 4 S-ramp pieces - not to mention enough pieces of straight track to connect your dizzying method of elevation change to the rest of your setup.

Cutting the Support Blocks

Pre-finished pine planks are ideal for cutting your support blocks out of. As a rule, you should always measure 5 millimeters shorter than the block height that you're actually going for.

Rounding Off the Blocks

Use a clamp to hold two or three blocks sturdily in place. Many hobbyists find that using a 15 millimeter round-over bit or one of a similar size in a trim router is the best way to round off the edges, and then switching down to a 5-millimeter size or similar to achieve smooth and fully rounded blocks. Finish off the job with a good sanding and a coat of mineral oil, giving them plenty of time to dry afterward.

Joining the Clips and Blocks

In this step, you'll really feel the difference between 3D printing and making your own parts by hand. The unrivaled detail you can achieve from a 3D printer makes it so much easier to join everything together firmly and smoothly. You might even consider printing countersunk screw holes incorporated into the parts themselves.

Playtime!

No matter how seriously you take your modeling, there's a certain childlike joy and wonder that the true hobbyists feel when everything's set up perfectly and you get to experience your trains running through your miniature world. Once you've got everything locked into place, the overall system should be stable. It's always worth it to double-check that everything has been connected and secured properly. You can always take down your spiral and store it flat so you can always keep things interesting for your kids. It's easy to tear down and reassemble, which is music to any parents' ears. Anything to reduce clutter in a kid's room is definitely a plus, and your kids will never get bored - or rather, they'll have even less of an excuse to be bored.

FAQs

How can I ensure my wooden train will be able to take the curves?

It's always best to run your trains over any curves slowly and with caution on the first few runs. In order to make sure your curves aren't too sharp for your particular locomotives, there are several parts of the wheel system that you should be paying attention to. The most important things to measure are the maximum distance from front and back wheels, whether the base is fixed or rotating, and the length of the axles themselves.

What is the best wooden train set?

It's hard to go wrong with just about any of the top wooden train options if you're looking for something fun for the kids to play with, but there are a few that stand out as the very best. Hands down, BRIO always comes in first when ranked among other sets. Close behind are the Hape Wooden Trains, which are loved for their charming look and affordable price. Beyond that, you can't go wrong with the Thomas Wooden Railway, or for an option made 100% in the USA, there's Maple Landmark NameTrain Wooden Trains. When deciding which is the "best" wooden train kit, it really depends on who it's intended for. If you're looking for a great starter kit that a toddler will do well with, any of the above-mentioned brands will surely light up their little face and lead to years of engaging playtime. These starter kits are often what lead a person to become an enthusiastic lifelong hobbyist.

Which wooden tracks are compatible with which brands?

You can play with almost all major brands of wooden train on just about any wooden track - with a few exceptions. The catch with many, such as the Thomas TrackMaster, is that the trains can handle flat, straight track just fine; it's the tight curves and inclines that lead to problems. IKEA tracks are compatible with virtually any common brand, so they're perfect if you already have TrackMaster or BRIO trains. In general, you should be safe mixing and matching everything from Lidl, Orbium, Playtive, Conductor Carl, Jesse's Toy Box, Melissa and Doug, and Aldi tracks with BRIO trains or vice-versa. The Thomas Wooden Railway became Thomas Wood near the end of 2017. TrackMaster itself has gone through a number of changes, particularly Thomas Adventures, which keeps the trains mostly the same but impacts their compatibility. One thing that TrackMaster, Wooden Thomas, and Take n Play - yet another Thomas iteration - have in common? None of them are compatible with each other. You'll want to make sure to double-check which era of Thomas trains you're buying - because there are many.

About BRIO Tracks

While these types of wooden trains don't follow an exact scale gauge, they are comparable enough in size to be swapped out for other brands. The Sweden-based company moved the majority of its production to China in 2004 while still maintaining stringent quality control. The trains and tracks themselves are made of beechwood, BRIO being the first-ever toy train company to do so. This is a key part of what makes their products so superior. The fun of BRIO doesn't just stop with the trains and tracks. BRIO World is an entire play system with countless fun features that's open-ended enough to allow the most creative minds to imagine and create their worlds as freely as possible. You and your kids can build up an entire city one bit at a time using everything from animal figures to traffic signs. Thanks to the compatibility across brands, you can even incorporate older pieces that you already have lying around. The BRIO World comes with lots of pieces and is an excellent learning experience, inspiring cognitive abilities and can help a young child achieve better grades by giving them a means of expression.

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