Model Train Layouts and Choosing a Theme
Themes Are Important
So what exactly is a theme? A theme is what defines model train layouts. It is the basis for everything you have in your display including the rolling stock and scenery. A theme connects all the elements of your layout together and can be based on a certain era, a specific location or a certain time of the year.
Picking a theme is a matter of personal choice and can be very simple or highly complex depending on how much time and effort you are willing to devote to your project. Choosing a theme is a crucial element in creating model train layouts as everything in your display revolves around it.
Whichever theme you choose, pick the one that you find is the most interesting. Since you will need to do some research about your theme and build the layout, it would best if you find one that holds the most fascination for you.
Theme Factors
When choosing a theme to use for your model train layouts you should take these factors into consideration:
Purpose
You need to determine the purpose behind your display… what message do you wish to convey? Do you want your layout to depict passenger trains whisking people from small towns to large cities? How about a logging layout or one with coal trains or long freight trains winding through industrial areas? Or perhaps you just want to show your trains traveling through some beautiful countryside.
Logging Scene
Era
You should pick a general time period to model after in order to achieve more realism, but you have to make sure the trains you pick match that time period. For example, if your era is modern day you will need to go with diesel locomotives but prior to the 1940s steam engines were the norm. Or you can have the best of both worlds by choosing the transition period from the late 40s to the early 50s when both steam and diesel locomotives were in operation.
Of course, when choosing an era, it’s important that the scenery surrounding the model train layouts match that period. Take care that the buildings, people and vehicles in your display are accurate representations of the period.
Old West Theme
Location
The location you choose is also a major element in your model train layouts theme. Why not pick a location based upon the type of scenery that you prefer to model after? You can choose the Southwestern deserts, the mid-west plains, the Rockies, a large city, the North Pole (remember the Polar Express?) or even a specific stretch of track between two towns. Your choices are nearly endless.
Season
The season that you model after also impacts your overall theme. The idea is to create a layout with a realistic atmosphere and the time of the year you choose has a big impact on the look of your landscape.
For example, if you pick wintertime in the northern states you’ll want to use specific trees like evergreens, add snow for groundcover, make your lakes and ponds frozen for ice skaters and perhaps even add some holiday decorations.
Winter Scene
In the summertime you’ll have lush green vegetation and flowers along with people swimming and fishing in your lakes and ponds.
The whole point is to enjoy what you are doing. Creating model train layouts should be fun and if realism gets in the way then you should always choose fun. Just don’t tell the purists I said that.