~ Early Web Links ~

TECO Train Expo Colorado is a dedicated event and community hub for train enthusiasts in Colorado, centered around a model train exposition. The site promotes the expo with image slideshows and event information, making it a go-to resource for hobbyists interested in model railroading gatherings in the region.

Run by hobbyist Robincuu, this blog is dedicated to collecting and painting 1:72 scale plastic figures spanning historical periods from the Dark Ages and Napoleonic Wars to World War 1 and World War 2. Posts catalog specific sets from manufacturers like Hät, Zvezda, and Redbox, with painted figure photos organized by era and conflict.

Starship Modeler is a comprehensive hub for scale model builders focused on science fiction, fantasy, mecha, anime, and real-space subjects, featuring galleries, tutorials, reviews, and a reference library. With reader-submitted model galleries, online contests like 'Trek Wars', discussion forums, and a dedicated store, it has been a go-to community resource for spacecraft and sci-fi modelers for decades.

The South Coast Model Railroaders Club, based in North Bend, Oregon, has been bringing HO scale enthusiasts together since 1993, culminating in a massive 100x75 foot layout with nine scale miles of track. The site documents the club's history, facility, and modular railroad layout including a detailed mountain division with grades and passing sidings.

Alex A. Yusko's railroad page is a comprehensive directory of model railroad clubs in the New York metro area, featuring club contact info, layout details, and links to resources for hobbyists ranging from beginners to advanced builders. Originally created in 1997, the site also covers real railroad history, steel industry links, and includes photos from the Queens County Model Railroad Association and Empire Valley Railroad.

The Garden Trains Association welcomes hobbyists into the world of garden railroading, where large-scale model trains run through outdoor garden layouts. The site offers beginner guides, a free PDF brochure, a starter video, hobbyist photos of G-scale layouts, and answers to frequently asked questions about this century-old outdoor hobby.

ModelRailroadData.com is a comprehensive searchable directory of over 2,000 model railroad websites, organized into informational and commercial sections covering everything from layout design and track plans to hobby shops and manufacturers. Viewer ratings, hit counters, and editor-verified listings make it easy to find trusted resources across all scales, including tinplate, toy trains, and live steam.

NRail is the official home of N Scale model railroading, representing over 45 years of history as the leading organization for modular N Scale train layouts across North America. The site covers NTRAK and T-TRAK modular standards, club listings, events, news, and resources for hobbyists passionate about the second most popular model train scale in the continent.

The Wrecking Crew is an NMRA-affiliated model railroad club based in Birmingham, Alabama, showcasing their N scale Coosa Valley Railroad layout and community events like the McWane Center's Magic of Model Trains exhibit. The site features photo galleries, construction narratives, and information about family-friendly boot camp events designed to introduce newcomers to the hobby.

Phil's Workbench is a daily-updated blog by Phil Parker, a hands-on hobbyist documenting his techniques for building models, miniatures, and model railways with wit and practical detail. This particular post covers applying static grass and flock to create realistic scrubby hillside scenery on a layout, complete with tips on using budget hair spray as an adhesive.