Back on Track - Model Trains Connect Generations

"Toy trains tug at our heartstrings. Like the tracks on which they ride, they connect generations of families with fond holiday memories."

Good quote from a good article: Back on Track

Also check out Trains O Scale to learn how to buy, what to buy and where to buy model trains.

Childhood memories flourish at a model train garden

As the holidays approach, days and nights are all about trips. That's not hard to imagine, really. There are trips to the mall, to the grocery store, trips to the Christmas plays and holiday concerts, trips to the office parties, to the school parties., etc., etc.

Take a moment, though, for a trip back to childhood where the little and the big in all of us comes to life amid a cornucopia of family memories.

You have probably guessed it. How about a trip to one or more of the area's myriad train garden layouts? They can be found in museums and in volunteer fire departments all around town. Since it is difficult to compete with Union Station's magnificent layout, it is therefore foolish to even make the comparison. However, DC residents might wish to explore a little farther to the north where the railroad was born -- Baltimore, MD.

The B&O Railroad Museum is home to the oldest, most comprehensive collection of railroad artifacts in the Western Hemisphere and within its iconic Roundhouse, surrounded 360-degrees by true historic engines, some of the most interesting of model train layouts are found.

"The Holiday displays are set up in the Roundhouse [but] in addition to these visiting model train layouts, we also have our permanent HO model train layout that's actually built inside a C&O 725 passenger car!" said Dana Kirn, B&O Museum's public relations director. "Outdoors, a G-scale layout measures 240-feet in diameter."

Additionally, eight model railroad clubs from the area -- including The National Capital Trackers with their O-scale models and the Japan Rail Modelers of Washington DC are displaying N scale train models -- are part of the Holiday Festival of Trains operating now through January 2, 2011.

Making its debut at the museum this weekend and running throughout the Festival is the incredible LEGO toy train layout, created by the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Area LEGO Train Club. Built completely with LEGO toys (houses and buildings included), it operates on a LEGO train track that has been placed on the 60-foot diameter Roundhouse wooden turntable.

"The miniature train under the Christmas Tree is a tradition that a lot of us have grown up with," Kirn noted. "For those who don't have it now, coming into the museum brings back memories and creates childhood memories for their own children."

Rob Williams of the Fire Museum of Maryland agrees. His 20-foot by 30-foot garden is built entirely by volunteers and showcases an O-train gauge, along with representations of area businesses. New on the garden this year are wind turbines, helicopters, the long closed Gwynn Oak Amusement Park (remember that exciting place, baby boomers?) complete with roller coaster, and, finally, a big, lit-up fire scene.

"It's like being a giant on earth," Williams said. "It's like you are seeing a town and all of the activity in its totality."

For sure, a holiday trip worth making.

Read more at the Washington Examiner: http://washingtonexaminer.com/entertainment/2010/11/childhood-memories-flourish-model-train-garden#ixzz16ac8HRHK

Garden Trains Are a Growing Trend

Does your garden include engines, rolling stock, turntable pits and switch stands? When you visit a garden center, do you ignore the towering magnolias and mop-head hydrangeas in favor of plants with tiny leaves and miniature flowers?

Those who answer “yes” are part of a growing number of homeowners engaged in garden railroading, a hobby that combines model trains with gardening. Garden railroading has its own magazine, Garden Railways; its own association, the Garden Trains Association; and its own regional and national conventions.

Of course, the most important thing in a garden railroad are the trains themselves and one of the most popular types of garden trains are LGB.

Learn about LGB trains and why they run under all sorts of weather conditions which make them perfect for garden railroads.

Where Can I Get Information About Model Train Sets?

Perhaps you were told by your doctor to take up a relaxing hobby to help reduce your blood pressure, or maybe it brings back fond memories of your childhood.

In either case maybe you should look into getting your own model train sets.

This is the perfect way to keep you busy but in a very enjoyable manner.

So… How do I Start?

Easy, all you need to do is find some information about it.

There are plenty of information sources about model train sets, everything from countless magazines and books to clubs and hobby shops.

If you don’t feel like buying up a stack of magazines or books, or feel comfortable talking to experts at model train clubs or in hobby shops, then you can try doing a little surfing… Internet style. Here you will find a ton of information right at your fingertips about anything and everything related to model trains.

On the Internet you can learn not only about model train sets but also about the history of the railroads. This may give you a different perspective about your hobby as you may decide you want to recreate a certain bygone era, in effect preserving history on a miniature scale. This is an endeavor that many model railroaders undertake.

Questions and More Questions

Some sites, like Trains O Scale, are dedicated to helping beginners get started in this hobby. If there are things about model railroading that you are still unsure of don’t be afraid to ask. Post your question in the comments section and your question will be answered.

Why not try checking out the model train forums?

Forum members love talking about their passion and will provide a lot of insight. In addition, they proudly display photos of their layouts which may give you some ideas for your own.

Go to some local (or not so local) train shows.

Many cities, large and small, have them at some point during the year. During the holidays you may also find them in museums and malls throughout the country.

Here you will see many layouts in different scales which may give you a better handle on the scale you want to model in. If you have any questions, those running the exhibits will be more than happy to answer them.

Building your own miniature railroad empire is a hobby that can last a lifetime and is easily shared with every member of your family. If this sounds like a hobby you would be interested in then keep searching for information about model train sets and start building.

What do you know about building model railroads?

Do trains fascinate you? As with any kind of hobby, engaging in model trains does demand an investment of time, money, and energy, but it's not just merely about collecting locomotives that make it fun and exciting. There is definitely a lot more to discover! Here are some of the reasons this hobby is capturing a growing audience all over the world:

Family oriented activity

Many, especially parents are in constant search for activiti es to do together as a family. And model railroading is another valuable family bonding activity. Model railroading is not just about running trains and tracks, there's a lot more to it than that if you really want to develop it as a hobby. For example, one key part of model railroading is the landscaping in which you run your train. It is possible to build structures and sceneries to breathe life into the surroudings for the train and track and is an activity where all family members can chip in and participate.

This is a hobby which can definitely last a life-time. In fact, many train enthusiasts started when they were still young and this fascination and passion has stayed with them right through adulthood. As many parents are worried about the negative influences of children's exposure to television and video games, model railroading seems to be a great choice for a hobby.

Educational

It is vital that children and even grown up people, invest their time on worthw hile activities. If you want to develop the creativity of your children and encourage make them learn new things playing with model trains can be a great option. Model railroading is certainly very educational, as you are required to know a whole range of things before you can successfully build your first model train railroad.

Children and adults alike can learn more about skills such as carpentry, basic engineering, electrical kills, artistic techniques, logical planning, spatial visualization, manual skills, geography and researching techniques - to name but a few!

Good social hobby

As well as offering a valuable learning experience, model railroading is something that you can share fun experiences with. It creates friendships, unites parents, grandparents and children and provides an opportunity for creating some wonderful memories of sharing an activity with other enthusiasts. Many great friendships have been created through this hobby through the years! There are lots of clubs and organizations available exclusively for model train enthusiasts too, so it's a really great, social activity.

For Geeks No More

And if you are thinking model railroading is just for geeks - perhaps the following list might chang e your mind! These days, there are a number of celebrities who are addicted to railroad building. Look at the following hall of fame!

Phil Collins
Michael Gross
Tom Hanks
Elton John
Michael Jordan
Bruce Springsteen
Neil Young
Rod Stewart

So if you're fascinated or interested in trains, and would like to develop your artistic tendencies, maybe this might be a hobby for you?

Visit Trains O Scale to learn more about this great hobby.

Learn How the Model Train Hobby First Got Started

Good article showing the origins of the model train, but the video showing the earliest toy trains is priceless.

Check it out here: Toy Train Sets

Model Railroader Drives the Real Thing

"After days of high-pressure work hauling 22,000-tonne loads across the nation, what does he do? He goes home and plays with model trains"

You would think that after driving powerful locomotives all day the last thing you'd want to do is see them at home in miniature form... you'd be wrong.

Check out this article about an engineer who does just that: Model Railroader

Stop by Trains O Scale when your done to learn how to get started in model railroading yourself.

Model Train Info for the Beginner

There are many hobbies you can choose to participate in during your free time. Your hobby will probably account for the biggest proportion of time spent when you’re not actually working. It’s very important for everyone to have some ‘play time’ even adults (some may say especially adults).

Even though it’s not exclusively a man’s hobby, model railroading tends to be something that boys and men are more inclined to take up. Playtime consists of imitating real life railroads by producing miniature train replicas running on miniature tracks.

The tracks can be laid out on a piece of plywood, on the floor of an entire room or take over the entire house and garden. The track layout can then be upgraded with matching scenery, people and buildings. The layout can be made as big as you like by adding more and more track as long as you have the room for it.

Model trains are available in various scales and gauges like HO, N, O, etc. In general, the smaller scales, such as N & HO, may be a better fit if you don’t have that much space for your layout. If you have plenty of room then perhaps O or G scale would be more to your liking. They are a lot bigger and you don’t have to squint to see the detail.

Buying Electric Model Trains

There are a lot of factors that will influence which model train set you purchase and it pays to do some research before you begin looking. Impulse buying is way too risky especially when you find yourself standing before an array of beautiful model trains.

Not knowing what scale you want could lead to problems when you get it home and realize you either have no room for it or you wanted something larger. There is a ton of information available at your fingertips on the internet to help you make the right decision. One such place is Trains O Scale which will tell you everything you need to know about model trains.

If you’re buying a train set for a child, just remember safety. You don’t want a small child playing with electricity so battery operated trains which are specifically made for youngsters are a good way to start.

Preteens or teenagers will want a lot more realism which typically means an HO or O scale set. Both are very popular but O scale is twice the size of HO so plan on where you are going to put it and how much space you have before deciding on your scale.

Buying or getting your first electric train set is a great experience. When you give one to a child they will gain an appreciation for model trains that will last a lifetime. Buying a set for yourself may have been dictated by the fun you had with your own childhood trains which you can now take to whole new level.

Routine Maintenance Will Keep Your Model Trains Chugging Along

So, you have this great layout which you've spent a lot of time creating but your trains sputter, slow down or even stop at times... not fun.

Learn some tips on how to maintain your Model Train Sets so everything operates smoothly.

'Tis the Season of Model Train Displays

As the holiday season gets closer you will find that many cities associate the holidays with model trains.

Model train exhibits are popping up all over the country, but I'm not talking about train shows that only last a weekend.

I am talking about model train displays that will be around from now until January giving you plenty of time to watch these miniature marvels in action.

Here are two articles about a couple of museums that are ready to go with their displays.

Jingle Rails Exhibit

Cities First Lionel Exhibit

Check your local newspapers (remember those?) to see if these holiday train displays are happening in your area.

Model trains as Christmas presents or running under the tree are a time honored family tradition that dates back longer than I can remember.

Why not start your own family tradition by visiting Christmas Train Sets?

Detailing can turn good model trains into great ones

To add more realism to your layout consider detailing your locomotives and train cars.

Check out Trains O Scale for some helpful tips.

 

Christmas Train Sets as Gifts or Decoration Create an Everlasting Memory

Christmas train sets are a memorable and fun gift.

It adds something very special indeed to the Christmas season. For adults, it can take them on a journey back in time to the Christmas train sets found in many homes during the 50s and 60s, but for the children it is a source of wonder and joy that will let their imaginations soar.

We may be living in the age of video games and smartphones, but Christmas train sets are still a time-honored classic gift. Whether they are used as decoration running under the tree or given as a present, when you give someone a train set for Christmas you are giving them a gift they will always cherish and a tradition that will last a lifetime.

Visit Christmas Train Sets to start your own family tradition this holiday season.