Basic Things You Should Know About Model Trains

Model Trains has become a leisure pursuit by many for years. It is a good way to engage your time and polish your artistic talent.  There is so much involved in this hobby other than just collecting locomotive. It also entails building sceneries and enriching your skill on scales and gauges. Gauge refers to the distance between the rails. Models of certain scale run on standard-gauge track.

Discover Model Trains

Manufacturers have the goal of creating accurate and realistic model trains. The first model trains were powered by wind-up clockwork, or steam engines, with the first electric model trains appearing in the late 19th century.

The German manufacturer Marklin produced detailed trains as well as signals, stations, houses, and other scenery and destinations. Other German companies made ride-on-top live steam trains.

In 1906, Joshua Cowen invented Lionel trains, which soon became to dominate the American toy train market. More recently, LGB popularized garden trains in the United States.

Toy trains look less realistic than model trains, but often appeal to collectors. The first toy trains were made of cast =iron or were pull toys. In the early 20th century, Lionel started making toy trains for standard gauge and O gauge. Other companies, such as American Flyer, Ives, and Marx made similar trains.

The interactive aspect of trains make toy trains perfect for young children. Some adults’ first memory of a toy was that of a Lionel train. Children between the ages of 4 and 6 may be introduced to wooden train sets that spark the imagination. Children 8 years of age and older may be introduced to S scale electric trains, HO scale electric trains, or G scale electric trains under the guidance of an adult. Make sure that you carefully read all safety instructions that come with any train set before allowing children of any age to use it.

Four Most Common Scales

• Z scale (1:220) model railroad trains: Z scale trains make a good choice for anyone with limited space. These trains are not only tiny but highly detailed.    
• N scale (1:160) model railroad trains: N scale is a popular scale and the second smallest after Z scale. N scale trains are perfect for hobbyists who want to run long trains or keep the focus on the scenery. The price of N equipment is slightly higher than HO scale. Micro-Trains, or MTL, is a well-known brand that makes scale trains.    
• HO scale (1:87) model railroad trains: HO scale trains, one of the most popular scales with modelers, come in countless types of trains and have = large selection of scenery available as well. HO trains are generally highly detailed and a good value. An HO layout requires a moderate amount of space.    
• S scale (1:64) model railroad trains: S scale trains—the scale of American Flyer trains—also =ave a strong following among narrow-gauge model railroaders. This larger scale makes the train dominate any set. S scale does not have the massive following of HO or N scale.    
• O scale (1:48) model railroad trains: O scale trains are very popular toy =rains. Lionel continues to make trains for =his scale. O scale trains are easily handled by children. MTH makes tinplate lines of model trains in O and standard gauges.    
• G scale (1:22.5) model railroad trains: G scale trains are for indoor use, but =re especially suited for garden trains. L.G.B. made the scale popular in the United States and makes detailed, sturdy trains that stand up to =he elements. Other manufacturers in this scale include Bachmann and Aristo-Craft.