The Model Railroading University in Kansas City offers three different degrees in model railroading to help the model railroader create realistic layouts. Each of the three programs consists of 20 hours of instruction beginning at 5 p.m. on a Thursday and running through Sunday. Courses are scheduled individually to meet the needs of each student. As of 2011, one program costs $900, two programs cost $1,800, and all three programs cost $2,600. The staff also occasionally presents clinics at railroad shows across the United States.
A bachelor's degree in model railroading is the first step in becoming an expert at creating a model railroad. You will learn how to plan and design a railroad with computer software. If you bring along your room dimensions, you can even begin designing your own layout for your home. The program will also cover building the table for your layout, choosing and laying the track, wiring the system and using Digital Command Control (DCC) systems for operating individual trains on your layout.
After you have completed the bachelor's degree program, you can move on to the master's degree. You will expand upon the things you learned about layouts in the bachelor's program to improve your existing layout. The course includes lessons on different types of scenery, from the city to the country. You will learn what types of backgrounds to use and how to create hills, trees and grass. Buildings and how to build and use them are also covered, as well as details, such as roads and street signs. Weathering is another important detail that will be discussed.
The final step to becoming an expert in model railroading is the doctorate degree program. This program will cover everything you need to make your layouts more realistic. You will learn about the different types of molding and casting, including making the molds, injection molding and pouring molding. The program covers how to make animations in your layout to add movement and how to use mirrors and lighting to create illusions. You will also learn how to create realistic waterways.