[dream-builder]

Hi everybody. My name is Robert. I have never made a model train in my life and to be honest I don't even know how they are made, but I remember having toy trains when I was like 6-7 years old. I very much enjoyed building those railway tracks and riding trains on them. Even though I don't do model trains I'm big fan of it. Do you guys make those model trains for a living or it's just a hobby for you?

 

[MichaelE]

What country are you posting from today?

 

[dream-builder]

Why is it a concern to you where am I posting from?

 

[Tom_C]

Why is it a concern to you where am I posting from?

Because if we give you advice and sources in California and you are in Germany, then it won't be much use to you, will it? If you look at Michaels history and profile you will see he is in the US but models European trains.

Don't be so paranoid.

 

[traction fan]

Welcome aboard!

Hi everybody. My name is Robert. I have never made a model train in my life and to be honest I don't even know how they are made, but I remember having toy trains when I was like 6-7 years old. I very much enjoyed building those railway tracks and riding trains on them. Even though I don't do model trains I'm big fan of it. Do you guys make those model trains for a living or it's just a hobby for you?

dream-builder;

Welcome to the forum! We are a large, international, group of model train enthusiasts. We have members with multiple decades of experience, and members with no experience at all. We welcome anyone, from anywhere in the world, who is interested in model railroading.
There are some small commercial firms that build model railroads for profit, but the overwhelming number of model railroaders in the world do it as a hobby. We don't make money with our model railroading skills, we spend lots of money buying trains, accessories and supplies! :laugh:

Since you are brand new and say that you "don't even know how they (model railroads) are made", I have some information for you. The files attached below are some that I have written for people in your situation. People who are brand new, and want to build their first model railroad layout. I'm also going to recommend a good book for beginners. It's "Getting Started in Model Railroading" by Jeff Wilson. It covers a variety of things you will need to learn in order to build a layout, in simple text, and many color photos. You can order a copy from https://kalmbachhobbystore.com/products/books Also look at our "Beginner's Q&A" section, here on the forum. It has lots of useful information for new modelers. We will also be glad to answer any questions you have about model railroading.

Again Welcome;

Traction Fan :smilie_daumenpos:

View attachment WHERE DO I START rev 4.pdf

View attachment Choosing a Scale.pdf

View attachment 1 How to build a better first layout.pdf

View attachment 2 How to build a better first layout.pdf

View attachment 3 & 4 How to build a better first layout.pdf

View attachment 5 How to build a better first layout.pdf

View attachment 6 How to build a better first layout.pdf

View attachment All AboutTurnouts rev 5.pdf

View attachment MODEL RAILROADING ON A BUDGET.pdf

View attachment Model Railroad Terminology 3.pdf

 

[prrfan]

Do you guys make those model trains for a living or it's just a hobby for you?

Hi Robert. Welcome to the forum. That is a good question.

As Traction Fan said, there are companies that create and build custom layouts . You can see in the various video and photo sections of our forum that many of the members do professional grade work.

I’m not aware of any folks on here actually doing it professionally, but there may well be.

 

[gunrunnerjohn]

Maybe semi-pro.

I do repairs and upgrades, and I also have a small cottage business making enhancement products for model trains.

Of course, I manage to spend the money I make on more trains...

 

[AmFlyerFan]

Hi Robert, welcome to this Forum.
I hadn't looked here for a while-late again (My wife tells me I'm always late).
Anyways, I've only been a member here for a year or so.
I've found a wealth of knowledge here and friendly people.
Myself, I'm just curious where everyone is. I hang out & pick the brains of the experts in the 'S' gauge threads. That's what I play with.
Welcome!