: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.

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In the real world a railway that has a narrower then 1,435 mm is called a narrow gauge railway. Narrow gauge railways accommodate smaller radius curves, and are cheaper to build. They are often found in mountainous communities and in communities that don’t have enough traffic to justify the expense of building a standard gauge railway. Narrow gauge railway’s are often duplicated by toy trains. The smallest gauge toy train available to toy train collectors is the Z gauge. The Z gauge operates on a track that is only 6.5 mm. The Z gauge was introduced by the Marklin Company in 1972, at the Nuremberg’s Toy Fair. The z gauge is so small that a layout can fit inside a standard briefcase. Some Z gauge engines weigh a little as 20 grams. It is very important that a Z gauge track be kept extremely clean, a little spot of dirt can stop the tiny locomotive in its tracks and gum up all the miniature working parts. The most popular size toy train among toy train collectors is the HO scale trains. The train was first introduced to the market in the middle of the 1930’s but it did not enjoy immediate popularity. It wasn’t until the 1950’s that it started to attract the attention of toy train aficionados. Fans of toy trains started to realize that the the HO’s small size allowed them to add even more detail to their layouts. HO gauge trains are typically less expensive then some of the other size train sets. It is a large enough scale that parents with small children don’t have to worry about the pieces getting swallowed. The typical HO toy train runs on a two rail track that is powered by a direct current. Some collectors have designed HO layouts that have a radius of approximately eighteen inches. The eighteen inch radius models a full scale radius of one hundred and thirty feet. The small radius is so tight that in real life it is only duplicated by streetcars and light rail systems. The casual toy train collector generally uses a track that is made out of prefabricated snap together tracks, the same type of track is often used by exhibitors who move their layout from one show to another. Collectors who have permanent layouts generally prefer to use a track that is constructed of hand laid sections. Some little train enthusiast prefer a flex track that is compatible with a snap together track. The popularity of the HO gauge toy train makes it easy for collectors to locate models and parts for their little train set. The HO gauge is approximately half the size of the O gauge. In the United Kingdom the most popular gauge toy train is the OO gauge. The OO gauge was first introduced in 192 by the Bing company. It was called the Table Runway. A 16.5 mm gauge is used for the OO toy train.

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People who collect toy trains have a genuine passion for them. Some people prefer to only display them one time of year around the family Christmas tree, while others dedicate entire rooms or sections of their houses to showing off their collection. However, a toy train is not just a toy train. They are not all the same and some are more valuable than others. Anyone who collects toy trains as a hobby is familiar with Marklin toy trains. These trains have been around since 1891 and are a truly unique addition to any toy train collection. Marklin introduced a revolution in the toy train industry by introducing the very first inclusive set of trains in 1891. Marklin provided a fresh appeal to the typical toy train by introducing a series of standard track gauges and a variety of models with matching accessories. What came from this revolution was the ability to build on your initial train set by expanding your miniature railroad. It is thought that Marklin is at the forefront of developing the expanding toy train set. Getting a hold of one of the timeless pieces from Marklin is no easy task and can cost thousands of dollars. In fact, some of the pieces are so rare that they easily run in the six digits. For example, an international auction of toy trains and accessories recently held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania sold a complete Marklin station for $110,000. The station included an exceptionally rare Marklin #2609 locomotive that was built precisely to scale and marvelously painted by hand. The unique toy train set was just as astonishing inside as it was outside. (As most Marklin train sets are, no surprise there!) The station included five interior rooms that were cleverly adorned with tables, chairs, and other furniture you would expect to find aboard passenger cars from back in the day. It was originally thought that this rare Marklin station would sell for around $30,000; that is, until it became the ultimate “bidding brawl” between American and Europe. Two toy train collectors from opposite ends of the world both went to great lengths to snag the priceless item, but in the end America prevailed in taking home the 29-inch long, 19-inch high beauty. That wasn’t the only Marklin item that brought in much more money than originally estimated. A Marklin #2609 locomotive was sold for $82,500. The gauge III set boasted a live steam engine and precise hand-painted detail. The original sale estimate was set at $25,000 – obviously, this goal was blown away when avid collectors from around the world united in hopes of bringing home a classic Marklin station. Several other Marklin items were sold at the auction, but surprisingly not a single Marklin piece sold for less than $25,000. Now that you can see just how valuable these timeless classics are, chances are you won’t find them for cheap. Ebay does occasionally place Marklin pieces up for bidding, but the results won’t differ much from a live auction. You can purchase certain Marklin sets and accessories through marklin.com, but again, you will pay a pretty penny.

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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!

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Collecting toy trains is referred to as the world’s greatest hobby; and for some, it isn’t just a hobby. It’s a passion and a way of life, perhaps beginning in childhood. Several toy train collectors started their hobby as children, when they were given a toy train as a gift. Toy trains, at one time, were a very popular and much desired toy among children. Over time, that concept faded and was replaced by razor scooters, iPods, and webkinz. Most children of today aren’t familiar with the classic toy trains from back in the day, so the legacy is left to be carried on by adults who choose to start a collection of their own. One such popular toy train that is desired by many collectors is the HO toy train, developed by Marklin in 1935. So what makes these miniature locomotives so much different than the others? The construction of the HO toy trains is one aspect that makes them stand apart from other toy trains. HO toy trains are jagged and are scaled at 1:87, making them the perfect starter electric train. Appearance is also a major factor in collecting HO toy trains. The flawless detailing gives them a realistic appeal, making them an attractive addition to any toy train system. The Marklin HO toy trains resemble the Z gauge in that they are built from diecast metal. Most of the frames and wheels are constructed from 100% metal. The engineering of HO toy trains is also quite brilliant. The wheels of the freight and passenger cars have a low center of gravity to avoid derailment, making them a reliable addition to electric systems. The third-rail track systems of HO toy trains make them a hassle-free operation. The electrical current is carried by miniature stud contacts found in the middle of the ties. If you don’t look closely, chances are you’ll miss these clever additions. This helps prevent wiring problems and electrical pickup issues. Given the careful engineering and construction of HO toy trains, most collectors consider HO toy trains part of a scale hobby. At the debut of HO toy trains, they were sold as a toy train rather than a scale model as they are often sold today. Scale model railroading didn’t become a popular hobby among collectors until after the 1950’s. Until that time, HO toy trains were thought of as just another size of train. Therefore, the Lionel Corporation began to make HO toy trains as smaller versions of the classic freight and passenger cars. It wasn’t long before the Louis Marx Company began constructing their own version of HO toy trains, and they even started to sell them with complete scenery and in slot car sets. Although finding HO toy trains on the shelf at your local toy store may be a challenge, they aren’t all that difficult to come by. A simple search of the internet will provide you with a detailed listing of available HO toy trains for sale as well as places to locate these classic toy trains.

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For people who aren’t involved in the model railroading hobby, there’s really no difference between “toy” trains and “model” trains. After all, both hobbies involve small trains that are controlled by some sort of power pack. There is a significant difference, however, to anyone who is an enthusiast. Calling a model railroad a “toy train” is like calling a classic piece of literature a “novel”.

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Toy trains are typically seen indoors in a variety of settings. The most popular display is around a Christmas tree, circling the perimeter around all the gifts. Some people choose to set up their own unique display for year-round viewing inside their home. But rarely will you find a toy train display outdoors; mainly due to the fear of damaging the toy train system. However, there are several toy trains and toy train systems that are meant just for outdoors, and you’re about to get a glimpse of some of the most popular outdoor toy trains! First of all, you need to know how to set up a good outdoor train system. Outdoor model trains should always be placed in a secure location, and should be as level as possible. You might want to consider adding your outdoor train system to your garden, or designing a garden around your toy train. You will only need a single track railway, one locomotive and three or four pieces of rolling rock to get started. Dig a trench about two or three inches deep that your train track route will follow. Fill it with sand and set your track in place, then place more sand in the track to make it even with the ground. This will help provide you with a level ground to operate your train system. Now that you’ve got the construction aspect complete, it’s time to choose your outdoor toy train! The Lionel Silver Bell Express by the Lionel Corporation is a beautiful addition to your outdoor Christmas display. This gorgeous locomotive is sure to be the center of attention at your next holiday party or gathering. The toy trains shimmers in a frosty blue and silver color, and is complete with a musical caboose that plays a pleasant version of “Jingle Bells,” “Silent Night”, and “Santa Clause is Coming to Town”. The Silver Bell Express is controlled by a transformer that allows you to move the locomotive forward or reverse. Hand-painted detail and realistic decals make this outdoor toy train look like it just came from Santa’s Workshop! The gauge is large scale and 51″ in diameter, making it large enough to complete any outdoor decoration. The Silver Bell Express can be purchased new for around $200 or you could try your luck at an auction to try to snag this beauty for a cheaper price. The LGB Trains G Scale Hooker Modern Tank Car is an excellent choice for your outdoor toy train system. This outdoor train is a modern version of the classic toy train familiar to many adults. The powerful locomotive can easily pull several freight or passenger cars and you can actually fill the tank with water to create an old-fashioned steam engine effect. The Hooker Modern Tank Car sells for around $85. These are only a few of the many choices available for the outdoor toy train display. With proper construction and smart shopping, you can create a toy train wonderland right in your own backyard!

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There’s nothing like watching little toy trains in motion, especially when they’re accompanied by all the right accessories (tunnels, landscape, buildings, etc). For just a short time, you can get lost in your childhood and allow your imagination to run free. Nearly everyone enjoys the chance to view a toy train system, from young children to the elderly. Finding such a breathtaking display is no easy task, and usually they’re stumbled upon merely by chance. In a world of constant change, it’s comforting to know that there is always an elaborate display of toy trains around the holidays at Citigroup. The Station Tour at Citigroup provides an annual tour through a railroad wonderland. You’ll experience a genuine feeling of happiness like you’ve never felt before, no matter what your age! This is an event that is sure to be enjoyed by the entire family, and you might just find yourself making the tour a holiday tradition. The Station Tour is located in New York City and the display is centered around the 1940’s time frame in New York. The display is approximately 750 square feet in size and is constructed on theatrical style platforms. The scenery is hand-built from Styrofoam and the buildings and water are made from resin. The entire display costs nearly $1 million to construct and operate, but every penny spent is well worth it! The tour begins at the Westshore Terminal of the New York Central Railroad in 1940. You’ll see amazing but accurate displays of the New York 1940’s skyline complete with a replica of the Empire State Building. Little toy trains whistle and make their way through the stone tunnels behind the buildings on to the next destination of the tour – an imaginary city in New York called Generak. Generak is a river city and at first glance has tendency to remind you of New Orleans. A band plays by the street while trolleys carry passengers up the hill. The streets are busy with traffic and you can hear horns beeping and the sounds of cars as they make their way through the streets. Next, you will leave the busy city and head to the countryside, where you’ll pass an old family farmhouse and beautiful mountain cascades. The mountains have life-like trains swirling at the bottom while the mill turns with the dam. Next, you’ll see a changing of the seasons as fall is suddenly upon you. You’ll find yourself amidst a carnival complete with dancing clowns, a working Ferris wheel, a carousel, and a few operating rides that are still familiar to carnivals today. Rapidly, the beautiful colors of autumn fade away and you enter a winter wonderland. You’ll see ice skaters skating blissfully among the frozen ponds, while the North Pole express train passes through. Snow-capped Christmas trees are all aglow with lights and carolers sing along the streets. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the world through a child’s eyes is available from November to January for a reasonable price. If you have the opportunity to attend the Station Tour at Citigroup, it is highly recommended you take advantage; and take a trip back down memory lane!

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