N-ScaleTrain.com

There are heaps of good resources to search for information on all aspects of  N-scale model railways. Their broad popularity has generated numerous clubs, websites, and national and world-wide organizations.

One of the biggest sources of information for model train enthusiasts is the National Model Railroad Association website at NMRA.org. They are a nonprofit group whose purpose is to promote and encourage the craft of model railroading. They are a very large organization with 17 regions across the U.S. and around the world. They have regular conventions where model train fans can gather and share their information and enthusiasm with other model train hobbyists. The website has links to everything imaginable for  this great hobby. There are links for manufacturers, model layouts, software, electronics, clubs, hobby shops, memorabilia, history of railroading, tourist sites, and even the current railroad industry. It really is a one stop shop and a must for anyone interested in model railroading!

Another great resource is RailServe. This website was started in 1996 as a resource for rail travel. It has grown dramatically and has thousands of links in more than 150 categories covering 130 countries with content to everything railroad related including both model railroads and actual railroads. It has been the recipient of many awards and has been mentioned in most railroad publications. You could spend many hours looking through the information on this website. It is another site that you must add to your list of information for model railroading as well as regular railroading, not to mention other railroad connected information. (Think Rails-to-Trails)

In addition to your local hobby shop, there are many forums, tourist sites, historical societies and museums dedicated to railroading. Many hobbyists like to ensure they are historically accurate in the depictions of the railroads and displays they use in their models. So, they regularly make use of museums, tourist sites and history books to find detailed information on the era in history they are modelling. If you get in to this area of interest, the sources of historical information are practically limitless.

Another source that is often overlooked are friends, relatives and local organizations that may have members associated with railroading. Remember, railroading was once a much larger industry than it is presently and many people, especially seniors, once worked in the railroad industry or knew someone who did. These folks often have many memories and items of interest that can be a great source of information in your search for authenticity and knowledge.

There are many other sources of information too numerous to list. Just use your imagination and the ideas from this article to explore the huge encyclopedia of information available for N scale trains, as well as other scales of model railroads.