Discover Model Trains

							Title:
Discover Model Trains

Word Count:
590

Summary:
Model train manufacturers have done
 a great job of recreating life siz
e trains as realistic models. And t
hey’ve been doing it since the late
 19th century when electric model t
rains first appeared. Take a moment
 to discover the magic of model tra
ins.

Germany is where it all began when
Marklin introduced their full line
of model trains back in 1891. Their
 first trains were based on earlier
 toy models and were available in t
hree scales. They were made from ti
n and were very c...


Keywords:
model trains


Article Body:
Model train manufacturers have done
 a great job of recreating life siz
e trains as realistic models. And t
hey’ve been doing it since the late
 19th century when electric model t
rains first appeared. Take a moment
 to discover the magic of model tra
ins.

Germany is where it all began when
Marklin introduced their full line
of model trains back in 1891. Their
 first trains were based on earlier
 toy models and were available in t
hree scales. They were made from ti
n and were very crude, but they wer
e a great success.

Then, in 1901, Joshua Cowen entered
 the market with Lionel trains. Lio
nel would soon come to dominate the
 model train market in America.

Of course there were other companie
s that came on board with their own
 lines of model trains. Ives, Ameri
can Flyer, and Marx all introduced
model trains.

Because model trains are so interac
tive they are a great choice for ch
ildren and adults. Even the younges
t children can enjoy them. It’s not
 uncommon for adults to recall thei
r first train when talking about th
eir fondest childhood memories.

Lionel was quick to recognize the i
mportance of starting train collect
ors at a young age and that’s why t
hey’ve got wooden train sets for ag
es 4 to 6. By the age of 8, kids ar
e ready to be introduced to S scale
, G scale, and the ever popular HO
scale electric trains. And the hobb
y continues into adult life. Of cou
rse expanding on your model trains
is just a matter of time, money, cr
eativity, and space.

There are several different scales
of model trains to choose from to f
it your space, budget, and personal
 preferences. For example, if you a
re limited by space you can choose
one of the smaller scales. Here are
 some of the most popular scale cho
ices you have.

1. Z Scale is a 1:220 ratio. It is
tiny and highly detailed, and is an
 excellent choice if you have limit
ed space.
2. N Scale is a 1:160 ratio. It is
the second smallest scale available
 and it’s a great choice for the ho
bbyist that want to be able to inco
rporate scenery and longer trains.

3. HO Scale is a 1:87 ratio. It is
probably the most popular scale of
model train. There is an endless su
pply of trains, cars, tracks, build
ings, and scenery. The detail on HO
 is good and a fabulous setup can b
e put together in a reasonable amou
nt of space.

4. S Scale is a 1:64 ratio. It is l
arger than the HO and is popular am
ong those with plenty of room. It i
s the scale of American Flyer produ
cts.

5. O Scale is a 1:48 ratio. It is a
 popular choice for young children
because they are able to easily han
dle them. Lionel carries a full lin
e of O scale for the young ones.

6. G Scale is a 1:22.5 ratio. It is
 the perfect choice for the garden
set up. Bachmann, L.G.B, and Aristo
-Craft all make G scale trains.

To put together your model train yo
u will need at least one engine alo
ng with some train cars. You can de
cide whether you want passenger car
s or freight cars. And of course yo
u will need train track. The type o
f track and how much track you’ll n
eed is a personal choice.

You’ll also need a transformer to p
rovide the electricity to your trai
n. Then all that’s left is the scen
ery you want. Choose trees, tunnels
, people, signals, or a host of oth
er items.

If you are looking for a fun and re
warding hobby, why not discover the
 magic of model trains?