Got a train set for Christmas? Here's some easy upgrades for your first layout

If you spent the Christmas period watching your first locomotive pull a couple of wagons around a simple oval of track, then prepare for a whole new world of model railway magic.

A train set is a great starting point for any model railway layout, whether you have visions of a layout that wraps around the room or you just want a small layout on a simple baseboard. If this is your first model railway set-up, we suggest you start small, building out as your hobby expands and your skills grow.

With that in mind, these are the best model railway upgrades for beginners.

Give it a good base

If your train set is sitting on top of your kitchen table right now, you can get a more permanent base that allows you to transport it as one piece to different rooms and keeps everything in place.

Pinning the track onto a proper baseboard also helps to avoid damage to your train tracks. Most train sets require a minimum baseboard size of 6ft x 4ft, but of course, our TT:120 train sets need far less space. Read our handy blog on getting started here.

Give your track a ballast to run over

The fastest way to add realism to your model railway layout is by adding ballast to your train’s route. You can do this with just some black paint, if you want to keep things simple, or go all out with glue and some loose ballast from our SkaleScenics range. Both are fairly easy to do and really help bring your railway look to life.

Build a bridge

No model railway layout is complete without one or two bridges for your trains to run underneath. You can build your own bridge out of craft materials, or you can buy one of the unique bridges on our website. With railway bridges in so many shapes and sizes, you can really add character to your layout with this simple addition, and you really only need one or two to make a difference.

Add some buildings

Create the model world you want by adding some buildings. Again, you can add your own creations, for the most personalised finish, or you can use some pre-made resin versions, like the ones we have at Hornby. These help give your model railway layout a village feel and are even more impactful when you add model figures.

Don’t forget station buildings too – your model railway passengers need somewhere to embark on their next train journey.

Take in the landscape

The world is not flat in real life, so why not add some hills or valleys to create a more interesting landscape for your train to travel around? This is easily done with craft materials like papier mache or tin foil, or you can even find moulds that allow you to create landscape with plaster. And once you have your hilltops in place, you can create woodland glades and forest scenes with our scenic materials.

Once you get comfortable with creating landforms, you can even start to make embankments out of polystyrene foam for your train to run through.

Moving on

As you get more confident, you might start to add more intricate detail to your scene, including things like tools for your workmen, cycles for your commuters, and streetlamps. In fact, you can even add lighting once you learn how to get things wired up. There really are no limits to your model railway capabilities – just remember to take things slowly to avoid making mistakes, and reach out to the friendly community on our forums for help. You'll also find some helpful content on our YouTube channel.

You are at the beginning of your model railway journey – who knows where this track will lead!