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How to Make a Train Room for My Grandchildren

Share your love of trains and model railroading with your grandchildren. Set aside a separate area of your home that you can make into a train room for your grandchildren to enjoy when they come to visit. Choose a spare room, attic, loft, garage or basement space to dedicate to a model train room. Incorporate decorative details that will allow you to subtly teach your grandchildren about a particular time period of railroad history.

Things You'll Need

  • Yardstick
  • Train display
  • Wall paint
  • Wall stickers
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Instructions

    • 1

      Draw a diagram of the train setup to show where it will be located in the train room. You have several choices for a train display including a stationary table, rolling table or shelving around the perimeter of the room. Keep the train at a level in which the children are able to have easy access to it.

    • 2

      Measure the height of the surface where the train will be displayed. Mark a horizontal line on the walls of the room using a pencil and yardstick. The horizontal line must match the height of the tabletop or shelving display of the train. At this line is where you'll paint above for the sky and below for the landscape.

    • 3

      Paint two, three or all four walls of the room with a blue sky color and green or brown ground area. Add mountains, forest or cityscape scenery with acrylic paint or mural stickers for a more detailed atmosphere. Paint a train station or railroad crossing sign on one wall of the room for a different look.

    • 4

      Set up the train display using safety precautions. Cover all electrical cords and outlets to protect your grandchildren. Attach cord covers over any electrical cords that run along the floor or wall.

    • 5

      Purchase or build accessories that further enhance the train room experience according to your budget. Add train lantern replicas, posters, and a coat rack on which to hang conductor caps and other railroad-related clothing. The rack also gives your grandchildren a place to hang their jackets when they visit.