Posts Tagged ‘sets’
A Quick Look At Model Train Sets
There are probably as many Model Train Sets as there are different kinds of trains. It is not hard to find them online, or at your local hobby shop. From exact replicas of antique locomotives, fancy, futuristic mono rail trains, and just about everything in between.
Many of these sets not only include the engine, cars, tracks on transformers, but also all the scenery and buildings you will need to start a basic layout. One very unique and cool model train sets is called the New Bright Sleigh Bell Holiday Express G.
This set is decorated in bright holiday colors, and includes the engine and coal car, a passenger car and caboose. It also has 75 individual lights, plays Christmas songs, and has the sound of a bell or whistle.
It includes a water tower, 12 curved and 8 straight tracks, the transformer which can easily power all this set has to offer. Other New Bright add on cars will NOT fit this set, however there are more Holiday Express accessory cars available.
While the transformer will power up to 80 feet of track, if you decide to purchase the optional musical clock tower, you may not have enough power to run all of it at the same time. While this unique set lists as much as $235, it can be found in many places for well under $200.
Another of the popular model train sets is the Bachmann Digital commander Deluxe HO Set, model number 00501. This set has two trains, and includes new DCC On Board technology, that allows you to be able to operate both trains separately, but at the same time.
The exclusive E-Z Command digital control systems gives separate control over speed lighting and the direction of both train. This train set includes both a EMD FT locomotive, (Santa Fe,) and the EMD GP40 (Union Pacific) engine.
One terminal rerailer, 3 freight cars, and a caboose. It also includes enough track to make a 47×38″ oval track, and of course the command center, power pack and magnets.
It also includes a DVD E-Z command instruction video, and illustrated manual. While the list price is close to three hundred dollars, may retailers offer this set for well under two hundred.
This is just a small sampling of all that is available for model train sets. This doesn’t even include any of the accessories and kits offered.
You have town sets, which there are may varieties, as well as many scenery packs, and even trestle packages, enough to set up a mountain pass layout. If you want other ideas on layout designs, you can easily find videos and photos of many an enthusiasts creations.
It is really only limited by your budget and imagination. There are many communities of model train enthusiasts, and in many areas there are even museums, and shows set up just for model trains.
There are even contests held to see who has the most elaborate model train sets and set up, and it isn’t limited to the indoors, and many bigger sets are used in outdoor garden and landscaping settings.
Clint Spille is a model trains enthusiast who enjoys blogging about the World’s Greatest Hobby. Stop by his blog where you can read his many articles on the model railroading hobby or watch the videos he provides on topics such as model trains ho scale, toy model trains and much more!
Spending Quality Family Time With Toy Train Sets
If you want to spend some time as a family, one of the best ways to do it is with toy Model Train Sets. There is a difference though with toy trains, and not all of them are ‘toys.’ there are many different styles of trains, and they come in a variety of sizes, or scales of trains. If you have smaller children, you can purchase toy train sets that are made from wood, or hardened plastic, and are completely manual. You and your kids can set up a number of different layouts, and push the little train cars around the tracks.
There are also model trains sets that are crafted to resemble the real thing. Many of these sets are also ideal for family play, and some common scales are G, O, and HO. G scales are large and can easily be handled by smaller children, but while there are many different kinds of layout designs, these trains are large, and take up a lot of room. You usually see this sized train sets in abundance around Christmas time, and are a great addition under any tree. Some of these are electric, but many battery operated models are quite safe for smaller kids.
Model trains have been popular for well over a hundred years, and were first made from wood, in Europe, and had pull strings for kids to drag them along. It seems that toy trains have developed just as fast and unique as their real life counterparts. They are now made by several different companies, with Lionel, Hornby, and Bachmann being among the tops brands.
The nice part about newer models of toy train sets is the fact that they are relatively easy to put together. They come with simple snap together track systems, color coordinated wiring, and you can have them up and running to play with your family in just about an hour, depending on the layout. These Ready To Run sets come with everything you need to get started, track, train, and power supply, and are fun for the whole family.
Now while you can buy just about any kind of train set for your family to enjoy, there are some things to note when enjoying family time with your toy model train sets. Even the wood sets have some small parts included, and precautions should be taken when letting your smaller kids play with them. Scale Model Trains, ones that have electric power, should only be used under adult supervision.
You can buy toy model train sets just about anywhere. You can buy them from toy stores, hobby shops and mass marketing merchandisers. If you want to most variety, the best place to start is online. The costs for some of these are quite reasonable, and some sets are under fifty dollars. Serious train sets start at around $100, but there are some that are well above that.
So if you want a great way to spend quality time with your family, why not consider buying a toy train set. There are classic models to choose from, especially around the holidays. If you aren’t sure if this is the kind of hobby you and your family can get into, there are many websites you can use for checking out if this sort of thing is in your future.
The author, Claire Rigby owns Anara Toys which had an amazing range of wooden trains and accessories including wooden train sets.
The Ever Popular Lego Train Toy Building Sets
Bring up the word “Lego” to adults and they will start to think back to the childhood days spent at home building youthful masterpieces made out of plastic Lego building bricks. This is a proof that Lego has been a part of many peoples childhood years going back to the colorful plastic interlocking bricks were patented in 1958. From houses to vehicles, to shops and train sets, Lego has had them all in its ranks. Even the newer generations of children have developed a fascination with Legos. Although they cannot compete with Lego Star Wars on gaming systems such as Playstation 3 and Xbox, Lego toy trains remain to be in the list of “toys to buy” during holidays and special occasions. Of course, it has helped that Lego has partnered with companies that have allowed popular franchises to be given the Lego transformation. What’s astonishing is that even with the emergence of new Lego sets, the classic Lego train sets remain a favorite. It might even be surprising that trains sets are particularly very popular to grownups that consider themselves train enthusiasts. Building trains out of Lego pieces has proved to be a fun pastime activity to alleviate stress, and of course, bring out the inner kid in every adult.
It’s quite amazing that Lego has endured the changing times highlighted by the onslaught of high tech toy products. Customer loyalty has played a big part in Lego’s survival, but more than that, it’s the continuous reinventing that has made Lego stand firm, even when faced with fierce competition. Take the case of Lego train sets and train station sets. The early models were introduced in the late 60’s and ever since then, the trains have undertaken various makeovers to keep up with the times. This means that the newest models you see today are products that have had some inspiration from the older models of yesterday. Train enthusiasts will even go so far as to create their very own train models using Lego building bricks to build them. If you see Lego train models being displayed in exhibits or trade shows, don’t expect to see them, as such, in the toy sections of your favorite toy store. Lego aficionados utilizing advanced Lego construction techniques most probably made them. Having said that, anyone can make his or her own train set from scratch. The important thing to remember is to start from the basics. People who were inspired by the classic models of station trains made the awe-inspiring Lego train sets you see on public display.
Lego may be selling pre-designed train sets but what hardly any people know is that through Lego Digital Designer and Lego Factory, they can design there own trains. It’s a simple process that can have amazing results. The trick is to know the fundamental laws of Lego construction. Add a little creativity and inspiration and you’re off. Of course, having plenty of patience and enthusiasm will go a long way. It takes a great deal of skill to build complex train sets, but with a lot of practice, you can find yourself getting very good at building even the most sophisticated train layout.
As an added bonus, and what’s really cool, is that using Lego toy building sets can be a great bonding activity between kids and their parents!
Originally from Texas, I now live in the mountains of Arizona. I have 2 online stores the 1st of which is http://bikertshirtsandtanks.com which sells a complete line of Harley Davidson and other biker apparel. The 2nd store is http://toybuildingbricks.com and offers all Lego toy building sets.
