The hobby of model railroading is all about modeling rail transport systems at a reduced scale and making the model and layout as realistic as possible. Most model train sets include locomotives, rolling stock, streetcars, signals, roads, buildings, vehicles, lights, rivers, mountains, and, of course, an extensive train track.
Involvement in the hobby can range from simply owning a Lionel train set to spending a lot of time and money on gigantic and perfectly executed models of railroads and scenery. "Model railroaders," or "railway modelers," may devote their lives to studying and building trains, and layouts can vary from a plain circular train track to a completely realistic surrounding world.
Model train sets are immensely popular with children, but adult enthusiasts have gone so far as to form worldwide clubs that put on displays of models for the general public. Some specialist branches of railway modelers focus on larger-than-normal scales and gauges, using track gauges that range from 3.5 to 7.5 inches. Models in these scales are often built by hand and are steam- or diesel-powered. It isn't uncommon for such engines to be powerful enough that they can accommodate human passengers on miniature railways.
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The world's interest in model train sets has come and gone over the past two centuries, but it's seen a recent resurgence, and model railroading is now more popular than ever. Whatever your level of enthusiasm for the hobby, one thing is for sure: model-train mania is here to stay.
