Model trains come in a variety of sizes or scales. One of the most common is scale N which ranges from 1/148 to 1/160 of the size of an actual train. Putting it in perspective, a 70-foot locomotive would be about 5-1/4″ to 5-5/8″ long. With the small size, there are advantages and disadvantages. Let’s…
Welcome to the Z scale, one of the world’s smallest model trains. This scale has a ratio of 1:220, making this one of the smallest trains ever sold commercially. If you’re looking for larger layouts in a small space, you’ve found the right scale. There are certainly advantages and disadvantages to the Z scale: 1….
A model train set can have either plastic or metal wheels. Understanding the construction of a train’s wheel set is important when considering what type of wheels is best for you. The train wheel consists of a flange and a tread. The rim is the inner part of the wheel and is deeper (or longer)…
When manufacturers first started making toy trains over 100 years ago, they could not have known how popular these toys would become or how they would become a long-running hobby and obsession for so many people. Joshua Lionel Cowen certainly didn’t know when he first put a small engine on a model flatbed car in…
For those who are just starting out in the world of Lionel or any other brand of trains, and who are looking to add wood structures to them, the first instinct may be to go out and buy pre-packaged sets. After all, why go to all the trouble and time to build wooden train structures…
With the world’s introduction of new technologies, people are gradually interested in model railway train design. Nowadays, the most modern railway line is the most flexible railway line or otherwise known as the flexible track. Usually, this track is seen in most shopping complexes. Generally, it is found in three-foot pieces. But, despite its varied…
Although the G scale model only began to gain popularity in the early 1960s, it certainly has a loyal following among aficionados. G model trains, affectionately referred to as garden railway trains, are widely used in parks due to their large size. The usual scale size for an original G scale train is 1:22 which…
I love everything related to the hobby of model trains. In my opinion, there is no wrong scale/metric to deal with. They all have their advantages and disadvantages. However, my favorite trains are gauge trains. While gauge trains aren’t the cheapest or easiest to afford, they are worth every penny. The main thing that can…
For people who are not into the hobby of model railroading, there is no difference between “toy” trains and “model” trains. After all, both hobbies involve small trains that are controlled by some kind of power pack. However, there is a huge difference for anyone who is excited. Calling a model railway a “toy train”…
What has Johnny Cash, Winston Churchill, Eric Clapton, Phil Collins, Roger Daltrey, Joe Dimaggio, Rick Green, Gene Hackman, Tom Hanks, David Hasselhoff, Elton John, Michael Jordan, Frank Sinatra, Bruce Springsteen, Rod Stewart, Neil Young , Gary Coleman joint? All of these celebs love to watch miniature trains that run around miniature mountains, rivers, and towns….