:Toy Trains

It has been said that collecting classic toy trains in the world’s greatest hobby. Many of today’s collectors received their first toy train set when they were young, often as a Christmas or birthday present. Collectors claim that the toy train set gave them an opportunity to imagine a whole new world, one that revolved around a steaming locomotive. When they become adults, the collectors of classic toy trains claim that working on their model’s layout is a way to relive stress and escape from the pressures of day to day life. Toy train collectors are an interesting a varied group of individuals. Some of them spend the better part of life, looking for the perfect train set creating model after model, thrilling in seeing the miniature world take shape. This type of collector pours over catalogs, agonizes at toy train auctions, and continually shops at EBay stores that sell toy trains. Others never touch a model train set, they prefer to read books on the construction and collecting of toy trains, they might even attend the toy train shows and auctions This type of collector is happy to sit back and dream about someday building a toy train model. Some collectors spend hours fiddling with the scenery, touching up the paint and designing structures, this collector thinks of their classic toy train model as an art form. Another type of classic toy train collector is fascinated by the mechanical aspect of the toy train, they spend all their time working on the mechanics of their model that they never even bother to add scenery. The thing all these collectors shares is a genuine love of classic toy trains. Very few collectors start out designing a large layout. The average size of the collectors classic toy train layout is 4X8 feet. This starter layout is typically an HO gauge. They add some scenery and a few buildings as they go, gradually expanding on the layout. Most classic toy train collectors will say that no layout, large or small, is ever complete. The layout of toy trains and their railroad tracks consists of scenery and landscaping. The structures are commonly made out of plastic or bits of wood. The mountains are made out of painted pieces of plaster or foam, while the rivers are created by plastic resin. Classic toy rain collectors who are also fans of gardening can combine their hobbies with a garden railroad. A garden railroad is a toy train that runs on a rail road that is routed through your garden. A railway garden is a garden that is planted with miniature plants and landscaped to accommodate a garden railroad. People who design a garden railroad enjoy facing the same types of challenges in landscape and topography that the railroad companies face when they build new rail lines. Most railway gardens are designed with roadbed. A roadbed is a material, most often a ballast created out of rock dust and crushed rocks, that supports the track and allows for drainage. Some people who lack the time, patience, or ability to garden have been able to enjoy a garden railroad by incorporating it directly into their landscaping. Fans of garden railroads say it is a great way for the entire family to bond. Some ambitious railway garden designers have created water features in their gardens that include ornamental fish and live plants.

No Comments

Not only do electric toy trains provide allot of fun for the entire family, they have a history that is almost as rich as the one shared by the real railroads. The very first toy trains first appeared on the market in the 1860’s. These trains were simple designs that were made out of wood and metal. It is doubtful that the designers had any inkling of what there simple floor toys would evolve into. The Marklin company saw a need for a set of standard gauges for toy trains in 1891. When they first implemented these standard gauges it was for the wind-up (also called clockwork) trains the Marklin Company produced. The same standards are still used for today’s electric trains. The very first electric toy train was introduced to the world in 1901. The train was a product of the Lionel toy company. At first this train was only intended to be used as a window display. It wasn’t long before consumers were more interested in the window display then in the the merchandise. It was during the 1920’s that electric toy trains became really popular. At the time all the kids wanted them, but only the rich kids could afford them. Smaller scaled eclectic toy trains were introduced to the world. These trains were typically O gauge and HO gauge. Most of these trains could only be purchased as kits that were then put together by adults with a great deal of experience. World War II stopped the production of toy eclectic trains from 1941 through 1945. When production of toy electric trains resumed after the war, the popularity of the trains took off. By the 1950’s they were the most popular toy among boys in the United States. They had also become more affordable. At this time the biggest toy train manufacturer is Lionel. By the middle of the 1950’s there was a clear division between toy electric trains that were designed by adults and toy eclectic trains that were designed with children in mind. The N scale train was introduced in 1965. The N scale train was only one half the size of the O trains. Three years later the G scale train was introduced. The G scale train is still a popular choice among garden railroaders. The G scale train was introduced by Germany’s LGB company. The G scale trains allow collectors to add real scenery to their layouts as well as topography. Some people incorporate garden trains directly into their homes landscaping. Marklin created a train that was even smaller then the N scale train in the 1970’s. This train was called the Z scale. At this time improvements in technology and electronics could be seen in the toy electric trains. Realistic sounds and digital control systems were added to the electric toy trains in the 1980’s. It is estimated that there are over a half million train collectors in the United States and Canada.

No Comments

Before there was an Internet, there were only a few ways people could get rid of things like toy trains that they no longer wanted. They could sell them at a yard sale for a couple of dollars. They could take them to . They could place a for sale ad in the classified section of the newspaper. They could auction them at one of two types of live auctions; a high end auction which are held by internationally known firms, or a local auction where both the clientele and merchandise are mostly local. In some cases if an auctioneer has enough trains they will hold a train only auction that is more likely to attract the attention of serious collectors. High end auctions are typically where collectors can find exceptionally rare toy trains, toy trucks, and other collectible automobiles. Shopping at an eBay store carries a degree of protection. Many of the EBay stores are run by reputable dealers who specialize in toy trucks, trains, and automobiles. These dealers are often willing to guarantee the items they are selling on EBay. If you are looking for a collector toy train look for EBay stores that have a TCA (Train Collectors Association) membership. These EBay stores take a special pride in their toy trains. If you are considering purchasing a toy train set from an EBay store make sure that they say the transformer is actually working. With the exception of the “ZW” transformers made from Lionel, transformers are typically unrepairable. Before agreeing to the sale ask the EBay store if the transformers knobs turn smoothly and if the transformer is working corrA huge advantage to purchasing a train through an EBay store is the ability to check the feedback the store has received from past customers. Reading through this feedback should give you a good indication about how honest they are about the product they are selling. If you are simply looking for any type, style and make of toy truck, toy train, or any other miniaturized automobile on EBay all you have to do is go to EBay’s handy drop down menu and click on the item you want. You will presented with tons of toy automobile that you can bid on. If you are looking for a ver specific item, go to the search section and type in exactly what you are looking for. The more specific you are the more likely you will be to find the item you are looking for without wasting allot of your time. Once you have selected an item you like contact the merchant, ask lots of questions about the toy train they are selling, does it work, is there any damage, etc.. Ask if they would be willing to send several photos of the item, displaying it at several different angles. Ask the merchant if they would be willing to guarantee the condition of the item. Purchasing trucks, trains, and toy autos at an eBay store allows you to shop whenever it’s convenient, night or day.

No Comments

Your family has been straining their brains, trying to come up with a hobby that all of you can enjoy. Something that will bring you closer. After some debate and allot of bad ideas you and the rest of your family decide that setting up a toy train would be also of fun. The first thing you need to do is go to your local bookstore or library and pick up a couple of books about toy trains. Maybe locate an informational DVD that your whole family can watch together. The more knowledge you and your family the better idea you all will have about what you want. If you are interested in recreating a real railroad pick up a couple of books both the railroad and the area of the world where it is located. Take a Saturday afternoon, pile your family in the mini-van, and go visit your local hobby shop. Chances are good that they will carry some toy train material. Several hobby shops even offer classes for beginners. Plan to attend a toy train show or exhibit. You’ll be able to see how experienced toy train collectors have designed their layouts. You’ll start to have some ideas of your own. The exhibitors will be able to help answer any questions you have. Start looking over your house. Decide where you want to start setting up your toy train. As inviting as it might seem, avoid setting it on the floor. Toy trains that are set up on the floor are easy to step on or kick. In addition dangerous feet, toy trains that are dept on the floor are prone to carpet fuzz which gums up their mechanisms. The best plan is to get a large table that you can set arrange your toy train. If you like you can start to create an ambiance to enhance your planned layout. Add some special lighting, really scrub the walls, and install some shelves to display your toy train supplies that you aren’t using in your layout. Purchase a tool kit. Don’t worry about getting anything elaborate. All you will need in the beginning is a pair of needle nose pliers, a hobby knife, a screwdriver, needle files, a scale rule, and a pair of pliers. Keep the tool kit in a drawer near the place you plan on displaying your toy train. Don’t become enthralled with the idea of having a huge layout. Large layouts are very complicated and can quickly intimidate a beginner. The best plan is to buy a small layout. The wonderful thing about toy train sets is that they are designed to be expanded. When you start setting up your layout follow that publishers plans. Once you are comfortable with the project you can start to customize. Now that you are set up, its time to add a train. On form of power you can use for your toy train is a power pack. A power pack is an electrical device that supplies the power to a toy train. The power pack controls the direction of the train as well as the speed at which the train travels. Another power source is the use of a remote control. A train that operates with a remote control requires you to operate the remote, you control the speed and direction of the train. An electric train that operates with a power pack lets you relax while the train quietly runs along its track. While you and your family are enjoying your new electric toy train, shut of the TV and make sure that the entire family is involved in the planning, creating, and enjoying of the latest hobby.

No Comments

Bringing a Classic Childhood Toy to Life Nearly everyone is familiar with the sights and sounds of toy trains. Whether you’ve seen a toy train system circling underneath a Christmas tree or you have your own little toy train village set up, at one point you’ve probably thought, “How fun would it be to actually ride on one of those things?” It’s no surprise that you are obviously not the only one who’s dreamed of that concept. That’s why ride-on toy trains were developed! Peg Perego is a top manufacturer of ride-on toy trains designed just for children. These ride-on toy trains are sure to provide hours of fun and entertainment for kids! For example, the Santa Fe Train Set comes with a 76×93 oval track set, making it a perfect addition to the playroom or living room. The train set is operated by push button controls, allowing the child to be the conductor if their magical train rides. And safety remains a priority with the Peg Perego Santa Fe Train Set, as speeds only reach 2mph and all wiring is kept in a small box only accessible by screwdriver. Another popular ride-on toy train from Peg Perego is the Thomas Track Rider 3rd Car. This ride-on toy train is the ultimate adventure for small children and their friends. With this train, kids can take along a friend and stuffed animals, as a third car is provided for just this purpose. The cars come complete with foot and hand rests, providing comfort as the little child chugs along. The Thomas Scootin’ Sounds Ride-On Train is also another popular choice for children. This train comes complete with real-working lights and sounds, and is big enough for the child to bring along several of his or her stuffed animal friends. However, this toy isn’t operated by the push of a button, but by the child! This method encourages small children to develop their motor skills by pushing or scooting the train around, while the realistic lights and sounds provide an exciting and rewarding addition. With so many choices available to children for ride-on trains, you may be wondering if there’s anything available for adults. While it’s a harder opportunity to find, it does exist. The Toy Train Depot located in Alamogordo, New Mexico, is a store and museum dedicated to the display of scale models and toy trains, as well as ride-on trains big enough for adults to enjoy! At the Toy Train Depot, you’ll find America’s Park Ride Train Museum, an actual operating sixteen inch gauge train system that anyone can ride. Since the store and museum are non-profit, it will only cost you a minimal fee to attend. Ride-on toy trains are an excellent way of providing fun and entertainment for yourself or your children. You can typically purchase a ride-on toy train set for your children for less than $200 – imagine your children waking on Christmas morning to find that underneath the tree!

No Comments

The Ultimate Guide in Toy Train Collections For some people, collecting toy trains isn’t just another hobby or interest; it’s a way of life. The concept of collecting toy trains has been around for centuries. Nearly everyone has some type of connection to toy trains, whether it is an annual display around the Christmas tree or a daily passion to find and collect unique individual pieces to add to their toy train system. People who collect toy trains are indeed special types of people who have a true connection to these miniature locomotives. Luckily, there’s a magazine to suit their needs – Classic Toy Trains. Classic Toy Trains magazine is a monthly publication that focuses on the latest news and events in toy train collecting. In it, you will find helpful guides to toy train auctions, events, shows and conventions, as well as articles regarding various antique toy trains. For the true toy train enthusiast, you’ll also find several “how-to” articles, including how to build your on toy trains, how to put together tracks, how to rebuild toy train engines, or how to tune-up your old antique toy trains. One interesting article from January 2007 discussed the death of two prominent collectors of the toy train industry. Bruce Walthers and Bobbye Hall, both popular in the model railroad industry, passed away and left the toy train community stunned over their loss. Walthers once served as president of William K. Walthers, Inc, a model railroad manufacturing firm in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The firm became the largest producer of model railroad products in entire world. Hall was known primarily as the first woman to work with Japanese model railroad manufacturers and was the founding person behind Hallmark Models. The recipient of several awards and recognitions within the railroad model industry, her death was a surprise to many avid collectors around the world. Classic Toy Trains magazine also produced a series of articles entitled “Basics of Toy Trains.” This series covered everything a beginner to the industry would want to know, from the history of popular manufacturers such as Lionel and Marx to the current toy trains sold in today’s market. The series even covered “tricky train terms” that green collectors are not likely to know and understand. You can also explore the questions and answer section, where questions covering a wide variety of topics in toy train collecting are answered. For example, it covers proper toy train storage and display techniques, how to apply decals to your toy train, and how to spot fake “antique” toy trains for sale. A subscription to Classic Toy Trains magazine varies depending on the length of time you wish to keep your subscription. 9 issues are available for $39.95, 18 issues for $74.95, and 27 issues for $106.95. If you are an enthusiastic toy train collector, or would like to give a gift to someone interested in the hobby, this is the perfect all-inclusive magazine!

No Comments