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All About Toy Trains

Train sets are a passion for young and old, but not all are created equal. The age on the box may say for ages six and up; this means it is safe and operable for that age of child. It does not mean that the train will withstand their level of play.

In the late 1800s, model train sets were constructed from sheet metal, very large, and made to last through generations. Those children developed a passion for trains, grew up, and became collectors. Model train sets decreased in size and increased in detail to accommodate a compulsive need to construct elaborate layouts.

Childproof Fun
If the child is careless and likes to pitch toys across the room, delicate train sets will break, and large pieces will cause damage. Z-, N-, and HO-scale model train sets are usually set up on layout tables and the engine ranges from the length of your little finger to fitting in an opened hand. O- and G-scale trains are the size of a kitten and house cat, respectively. Consider available space when making your decision.

A Material World
Small children delight in colorful wooden train sets. Wood is lightweight and ideal for preschoolers. They cause little damage when young quarterbacks hurl the engine across the room - but they are easily destroyed when Rover mistakes it for a new chew toy.

Die cast metal train sets are Rover-proof and almost childproof. Consider battery-operated toy trains for children four and up. Batteries fit in a transformer pack or in the engine. These train sets are lightweight and inexpensive. Electric train sets run off of a transformer, and are suitable for children 10 and up with some adult assistance.

Space-age plastic toy trains boast advanced workmanship and exquisite detail. Appreciated by collectors of all ages, they are not toys. Plastic toy trains are available in G-scale, so space might be a consideration. They require at least a four-foot circle to operate.

There's no better way to add an element of realism to your train set than to light it up. Many of today's trains feature lighted train sets, railcars with interior lights, and lighted signals and crossing gates. But why stop with the train? The layout and accessories can be lighted as well: everything from automobiles to skyscrapers can be purchased with working interior and exterior lights that will make your set come alive.

Most train sets with sound effects of some sort are available, but if you're thinking of adding a state-of-the-art sound system, look no further than Railsounds. The new Railsounds 5.0 system features crew-talk dialogue, chugging sounds that intensify as the locomotive gains speed, a multi-whistle effect that simulates blows at different steam pressures, and independently adjustable volume control. In addition, the system includes a remote control that allows you to custom-operate all sound effects.

If real steam is your thing, you may want to look into a live-steam toy train. A few manufacturers carry them pre-assembled or carry kits with which you can build your own, but most live-steam trains are made by hand, from scratch. The most important component of a live-steam train is of course the locomotive, which is the power source. Several types of locomotives are powered by steam pressure generated inside a boiler by a fire contained in a firebox. (These locomotives are not really for play, though, as their fuel sources are alcohol or butane-lighter cartridges.)

However you decide to upgrade your model train set, lights, sounds, and other lifelike additions can be the difference between a toy and a realistic railroad scene.

Most train-set enthusiasts consider an accessory to be any structure, non-railroad vehicle, or other object that makes the set seem more lifelike. Examples include houses, automobiles, signs, signals, and trees. Building manuals are available to construct everything from mountains, rivers, and lakes to billboards, playgrounds, and theme parks. Building from scratch can seem difficult, but in the end, creating your own structures and landscapes will result in a truly unique layout. Paint, glue, knives, and airbrushes are some of the tools you may need if you're working without a kit.

But prefab building kits are available, allowing you to add churches, train stations, factories, popular fast-food restaurants, and drive-in theaters (some kits for drive-in theaters even come with an LCD screen and DVD player). Working signals and crossing gates can also add to the realism of your set. Some electric wiring may be required, but the proper kit can guide you, and once you're finished, your toy train set will be more lifelike than ever.