Railroad history is the root of the great model railroad hobby. What has happened to railroads in the past as well as the history that is being made even now inspires and influences what model railroaders do. Even if one freelances a railroad, it is always based on some prototype somewhere or a mixture of prototypes. The long time-honored hobby of railway modeling is still a popular leisure activity for young and old alike. This is regardless of the growing popularity of video games or the internet. Through the years and decades model railroad magazines have made it possible for railway fanatics to learn more in relation to the hobby and stay informed of functions and events and railroad club information. The magazines commonly carry articles and information on train sets and accessories, how to construct a model train layout and they also carry many advertisements. The good point for many in the hobby (and the weakness for others), is that model railroading has countless contrasting aspects to it. Picking up the whole thing can appear like a daunting task, or a spectacular challenge, depending on a person’s viewpoint, to teach others or simply pass the hobby down all the way through the generations requires an appreciation of the multiple aspects of the hobby. Having an interest in aspects of a historical timeline is a benefit if the railroad is to duplicate a past scene or event. That’s why studying a particular railroad line or joining up with a railroad historical society like the AC&YHS can be a prudent action in advance of purchasing things or beginning to build a model train layout. Having a blueprint of action is a useful idea in advance of making a start and possibly making expensive mistakes. So, it is advisable to form the correct decisions ahead of proceeding too far. Model train plans based on real rail prints are offered from railroad historical society as well as in model railroad magazines. Railroad historical societies have all sorts of added advantages together with access to archival historical data and knowledgeable member’s swiftness to answers questions. Just as the hobby has progressed over the years and decades, so too has the modes hobbyists can use to get the critical information they require. Railroad modeling has progressed far since Model Railroader Magazine printed its first issue 77 years ago. Railroad historical societies like the AC&YHS are great resources to help in the planning and assembly of a model railroad.