Every good model railway has a theme. This can be as simple as a certain time period that will be reflected by the style of buildings, running and rolling stock used, or as complex as recreating an actual section of a real railway in a given year with each structure representing a real-world counterpart.

The type of railway operations you intend to employ will also effect the theme. Will you have passenger service between two or more stations along the route, or concentrate on freight service dropping off and picking up cars from various locations? Many model railways include both.

What is the Year?

Probably the most important decision to be made, after selecting which scale to use, is in what year, or at least decade, your railway will be operating. This will effect not only your running stock, but the style of buildings and activities. Any time before the mid 20th century most of your locomotives will be steam powered, but are they fuelled by wood, coal or oil? While a steam engine could be performing a ceremonial run in a modern setting, a diesel engine could not exist in the 19th century. The other forms of transportation decorating the streets of your city or town are also effected – the style of automobiles, or are there only horses and buggies?

This should not be a random decision based on what train-set you happened to start with, a great deal of time and money will be spent on all future additions. There is no reason you can't run your diesel on a 1830's railway, as long as nobody's looking.

Where in the World?

The type of running stock and style of the buildings will also be effected by location. There are minor differences between the U S and British designs, Most other countries also have their own style. If you wish to model an exotic third world location it would be good to research what engines and era of cars were in use during your years of operation.

What Season?

The time of year effects the scenery rather than the railway itself, a winter setting will usually involve snow, bare trees and people skiing or ice skating. Spring will have young flowers and baby animals. Summer will involve swimming and sunbathing. In the autumn the leaves will have turned colour and there may be piles of firewood stacked near some of the houses.

Some models get even more specific by including Christmas decorations, or items from other holidays.

City, Town or Country?

Most layouts are not large enough to include a city. A station and railway yard can be placed near the edge of the table and a city skyline painted on a backdrop. A small town can easily be included, as well as a rural area with a small depot.

Other locations are often included to give a purpose to the railway. A lumber camp and distant saw mill will require the train to carry the logs from one to the other. A mine can fill your ore cars, or a farm could produce both milk and cattle.

What type of Operation Are We Running?

Railway operations are basically divided into two areas – passenger and freight service. These are seldom combined in a single train as the passengers are inconvenienced by the marshalling of cars along the route. Only a very small railway in a rural setting would resort to this practice.

Passenger service can be further spit into commuter and cross-country operations. Commuter trains can be run at ground level, on elevated tracks such as the service in Chicago, or underground in the tubes. Some lines combine all three methods.

Cross country passenger trains travel between cities and sometimes the width of an entire continent, such as the famous 'Orient Express'

Freight service usually involves picking up and dropping off freight cars of various types at different locations on the layout. The cars may then be assembled into a cross-country train in the marshalling yard.

Schedules and Time-Tables

Time is the heart of a proper railway. Passenger trains are expected to arrive at each depot, allow sufficient time for the passengers to depart and board the carriages before departing, again at the exact moment the schedule demands. If a train begins to run late it may effect every stop on the run, because the trains have a maximum speed they are allowed to use on each section of track.
One of marks of an old Engine Driver is his large pocket watch. If he in anywhere near a route that he is familiar with, he pulls his watch from his pocket when the whistle sounds and comments how far ahead or behind schedule the train is running, even when he is on holiday.

While cars filled with bulk cargo are not inconvenienced by waiting any length of time, the customers who are paying for their transport are. The full cars must be removed from the siding and replaced with empty ones, so the suppliers work can continue. At the other end a factory is waiting for raw material to keep their workers producing goods. The finished products must also be taken to market so the factory can receive its payment.

Another important consideration is that most of the cross country lines have only a single track, with 'passing sidings' located at certain intervals. the 'give-way' train must be fully onto the siding before the points can be thrown and the other train allowed to pass. This has been the cause of major disasters in the past. Again, it is vital the passenger train maintain her schedule.

Very Important Guests

One of the greatest rewards of owning a model railway is showing it off to others with similar interests. You should consider printing calling cards with the name, scale and theme of your railway after you are satisfied with its appearance – a true model railway is never complete, at least while the owner is alive. You should also offer contact information such as your name, telephone number and best time to call. Do not include an address unless you want people showing up at your door at the most inconvenient times. As you show off your line you should also know a few facts about the time-period and history of the line. The historical history if you have modelled an actual railway, or how you came up with the details if you have a fictional setting. You should also take advantage of any invitations to visit other railways.

In the golden age of the railways it was common for the railways owner (and most millionaires) to have a private carriage fitted out for their personal use, not unlike the modern luxury motor-coaches used by travelling celebrities. One of high points of modelling your railway is when you develop your own private carriage. If you visit another railway of the same scale you should bring your carriage and ask if it can be added to one of the trains for a run. Because some modellers use non-standard coupling devices it is also good to have one of your own engines available. The honour is considered to go both ways, you have found their layout worthy of your presence, and they have found your carriage worthy of their railway. Be sure to take a picture and add the experience to your log book in both situations.

Conclusion

There are no rules set in stone, it is your railway after all. Some owners like to keep a few accessories that are clearly not appropriate to the time period of their railway and occasionally place one or two into the scenery just to see if anyone notices.

The transition from a train set to a model railway is magical metamorphosis. Although it is quite possible to simply run your train around the track, a little thought on the theme and operation of your railway can enhance the experience