Scales And Gauges Scale Model Trains Toy Train Collecting Building A Layout Garden Railroading Getting Started Resources Photo Gallery Click here to download booklet

INTERESTED IN TOY TRAINS? GREAT! You'll be a part of a legacy of colorful, imaginative replicas that stretches back more than 150 years and has brought untold joy to millions of children and adults all around the world. No matter whether you collect vintage metal or plastic models or operate the latest locomotives equipped with state-of-the-art sound systems and cordless remote control, you'll discover that toy trains open up a world of pleasure.

The first miniature trains appeared not long after the first full-size ones hit the rails in the middle decades of the 19th century. These colorful, heavy replicas delighted the children who pulled them along floors and pushed them over crude track. The craftsmen making these trains took liberties with their appearance so their playthings provided more fun. Ever since, although the materials used for toy trains have changed and the models have taken on greater realism, kids and adults have enjoyed playing with them.

The pleasures of toy trains have only increased over the ensuing decades until, in the 21st century, manufacturers are producing models that rank with the finest ever made. To be sure, some collectors insist that European trains from the late 19th and early 20th centuries are the best. Others prefer the large "Standard" or "Wide" gauge locomotives and cars made in the 1920s and '30s by such American firms as Lionel, Ives, and American Flyer. The beauty and elegance of these trains, they say, have never been surpassed.

Of course, for many enthusiasts, the decades after World War II represent the golden age. In the 1940s and '50s, Lionel cataloged an incredible array of sets, engines, operating cars, and accessories. Families bought a Lionel O gauge train or a slightly smaller S gauge set in the American Flyer line because it seemed to be the perfect gift for their children. Millions of kids learned the joys and fun of running a rail empire in miniature.

These kids didn't mind that their playthings were not scale replicas of the trains running on the Santa Fe or Union Pacific. They were too busy transporting tiny passengers and loading what purported to be coal or lumber. So what if the locomotives were short and the rolling stock squat. These were toys. No one expected them to be the ultimate in realism.

Many of these postwar kids grew up to become collectors and operators of toy trains. Their relaxed attitude about the appearance of vintage models and their enjoyment of the innovative movement remain undiminished. The ranks of hobbyists continue to swell as nostalgia for the trains of their youth and interest in both newer and older pieces inspires newcomers to enter the hobby.

In addition to collecting toy trains many enthusiasts operate them, regardless of whether those models were made half a century ago or last year. In fact, the interest in current models made by such companies as K-Line, Lionel, MTH Electric Trains, and Williams is booming. That's because this current crop of locomotives, rolling stock, and accessories surpasses in performance and detail anything produced in the past.

Increasing numbers of people attracted to these new trains want to build layouts for them. Some of the folks we call "operators" prefer O gauge railroads with a definite toy-like look to them. Others follow the lead of scale modelers and insist on realistic structures, proportional accessories, and stunning scenery. Their layouts, known in the hobby as "hi-rail," combine the best elements of toy and scale railroading.

The toy train side of the world's greatest hobby remains exceptionally vibrant and offers untold enjoyment to individuals of all ages. So, whether you decide to collect and display models from the past or operate the outstanding new trains of today, you'll find great satisfaction in this hobby. You're sure to develop new skills and make new friends, all the while having the time of your life. Welcome aboard!