Posts Tagged ‘Toys’

Metal and wooden train models remain one of most beloved hobbies for many of us. It’s a way to connect with our children as well as a way to take our own trips down memory lane remembering trains toys and other childhood favorites. Anyone who’s ever known the satisfaction of seeing a completed model train assembled by his own hands knows how important the details are.

It’s the passion and desire for perfection that draws people to building and adding their own wood structures versus incorporating a pre-fabricated kit. There’s a sense of pride in knowing the tiniest details were carefully and painstakingly created by the owner. Whether you’re a seasoned train collector or are just discovering this satisfying pastime, keep reading for a few tips for successfully adding wood structures for your metal or wooden train.

Your first task is to define the project. In your mind, what does the finished project look like? Like the idea of tunnels for your train to travel through? Making your scenery interactive with the working train isn’t as difficult as you might think. You want it to blend seamlessly with the train and the tracks. Other ideas include greenery, mountains and of course, buildings.
Two options to consider include pre-fabricated kits that allow you to build your wooden structures with relative ease using the pre-cut pieces, or as many prefer, you can tackle the project “from scratch”. This method is a bit more time-consuming, but the pride of having finished a project such as this is indescribable.  

If you are considering the “from scratch” option, here are a few basic tools and materials that will help you get started:
•    Crafting knife – also referred to as a hobby knife
•    Exacto knife and blades – we suggest varying angles and curves for your blades which can be found in any hobby or craft store
•    Pencils with erasers
•    Ruler or a traditional tee square
•    Carpenter’s glue
•    Wood strips
•    Durable cardboard or press board to create templates

Remember, if you decide to build your wood structures, you’ll need to first create templates from which to cut the sheets of wood from. Using your template, carefully trace it onto your strip wood. Don’t forget windows and doors if they’re part of your plan. From there, you’ll be able to cut your wood verbatim to your template. One advantage of creating templates is the fact they’re re-useable. Using your wood or carpenter’s glue, secure the panels together to form your buildings. If you creating several buildings with the intent of using them as miniature homes, churches or other buildings, you’ll naturally want them to vary in height and width.

Once your glue has dried, tiny nails gently driven into the seams will serve as additional strength to the structures. Sandpaper smoothes out the rough edges and provides a better foundation for any paint or stains you intend to apply.

It should be noted many avid toy train collectors build their models with roof structures that can be removed to decorate the inner walls. It’s not uncommon to see houses with fireplaces drawn and chimneys extending from the wooden structures.  Again, this is your vision, your metal or wooden train and your project. Be as creative as you wish.

Your trains toys and wooden designs very well can become a part of your legacy as it’s passed down to children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Technorati Tags: Adding, Guide, Metal, Structures, Toys, train, wood, Wooden

Are model scale trains toys or something more than that? Most of us typically think of model scale trains as the kind of toy that both children and adults can enjoy. But is it accurate to even call model trains toys? Calling them toys diminishes their value because it sounds like a frivolous pastime for children. But that perception might not be warranted.

Research has proven the cognitive benefits of play not only for youngsters but also for adults. We all benefit from play. Problem solving, creativity, socialization, and self esteem are just a few examples of what we gain from play. Calling scale model trains a hobby instead of toys may sound a bit more sophisticated, especially for adults who love building them.

The model railroading hobby grows with a person. There are lots of hobbyists who have spent decades perfecting their train sets, and even passed them down to the next generation. Perhaps they did not plan it that way from the start. Most beginners to this hobby start with a simple kit, which can be assembled relatively quickly. As the hobbyist matures and learns more about what is available, he gets the itch to upgrade components and add more track, locomotives, cars, structures and scenery. Hobbyists enjoy the challenge of seeking out more complex sets that require more skill. The only things holding most people back is time and money. Model scale trains require a commitment of both. Prices for model scale trains and components cover a wide range, from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. However, the benefits of the hobby can be enjoyed for many years and by people of all ages, so the costs associated are reasonable. In fact, if you’re not committed to it for the long haul this might not be the best place to spend your money. Serious Model Railroaders recognize these are not trains toys to be played with for a few months and then discarded. Model scale trains have tremendous sentimental value as beloved family heirlooms and as collectibles to be cherished for years.

Another benefit of owning Model Train Sets is that hobbyists can learn patience and perseverance. Because of their small scale, they require lots of attention to detail, especially when constructing scenery. Following directions step by step, waiting for one step to be done well before moving on to another, can be a real test of patience. Furthermore, model trains are an outlet for creativity as hobbyists can design their own track layouts, structures and scenery. The goal is to make everything look as realistic as possible. The creative process provides lots of opportunities for hobbyists to develop greater visual spatial abilities and fine motor skills.

This might not be a selling point for some, but model railroading can even help with learning academic skills. Math is essential for figuring ratios of the different scales. For example, how large should the city hall and trees be to match a certain scale train? Engineering and physics come into play as you create bridges, tunnels, and wire the electrical devices. History and geography may be a factor if you choose to make your models historically accurate or if you choose to create a scale model of an actual location. This can be a great opportunity to apply school lessons in a fun environment.

The model scale train hobby doesn’t have to be a solitary pursuit. There are train clubs and contests, conventions and shows. Plus model trains are the kind of hobby that several generations can enjoy together. Each member of the family can contribute their own particular talents and abilities. In this way, the hobby transcends the project of building a model scale train and becomes a way to build great family traditions and closer relationships.

So, are Scale Model Trains toys? Regardless of what you call them, it is clear they offer many valuable benefits and one of those benefits is serious fun!

Technorati Tags: model, more, scale, Something, Toys, trains

Looking for a fun, engaging, and family-oriented hobby? One possibility is setting up your own home railroad with model scale trains. It’s definitely a step up from collecting Thomas the Tank Engine toys, which is where many families start with their lifelong passion for choo-choos. There are countless possibilities, from a modest circle track and single train, to an elaborate vista populated by homes, people, animals, and criss-crossing trains.

It’s easy to get started – it takes a single locomotive and a few pieces of track. Kids and adults both find it fascinating to watch trains toys traveling around, making that familiar clickety-clack. Creating your railroad is much more than just trains, and that is part of the universal appeal. If your children love horses, let them create a ranch populated with their favorite miniature horses. Build a town that looks just like your own neighborhood, and populate it with tiny versions of your friends and family. Or make a futuristic train world, with aliens and space ships too. The possibilities are endless.

While there is a definite financial outlay to buy the initial connecting pieces and model scale trains, these tend to be robust and long-lasting. The remainder of the landscape can be your own creation, using any materials at hand.

Model railroads offer a lot more than just trains. For a start, there’s the artistic aspect, whether your child likes to model with clay, build tiny houses out of toothpicks, or paint realistic trees. Every family member can contribute. And then there is the educational aspect.

Finding out about trains involves many different topics. Any vehicle enthusiast will enjoy learning about engineering and how trains move (as well as how your trains toys actually operate). There are steam trains, electric trains, coal-burning trains, and so on. Trains are also historically important, which can lead to conversations about immigration patterns, the settlement of new areas, and moving goods around. Trains are used around the world and can form the basis for looking at other countries and their transportation systems. All those geographic details that make the track interesting also introduce concepts like mountains and valleys, along with bridge construction and other practicalities.

It’s not all academic, of course. Building a model railroad involves some basic skills like hammering, sawing, and wiring. Kids love to build tiny things out of scraps of wood and other materials, which also helps develop their hand-eye coordination, imagination, and concentration. Then there’s detailed painting to be done – on a teeny-tiny scale. There is no end to what can be added, and many kids learn excellent researching skills while figuring out how to make a realistic coal mine or log cabin.

Before you envision being housebound with this hobby, consider the social possibilities. Not only are there many groups who communicate online and meet to share ideas and skills, but there are model contests and potential excursions. Some communities have larger scale trains that can carry passengers, often maintained by enthusiasts. Families enjoy trips to railroads of all sizes, from city subways to small-gauge railways, from San Francisco to Paris and Disneyland to England’s Lake District. You’ll also meet plenty of interesting people, coming from every walk of life to share in the fun of model scale trains.

So if you are looking for something to keep the family entertained and off the couch, have a look at model trains toys. You’ll find yourself in good company; many well-known faces have also shared this interest – from Tom Hanks and Frank Sinatra to Bruce Springsteen and Joe DiMaggio.

Technorati Tags: benefits, hobby, model, scale, Toys, trains

Model train toys are a lot of fun but they are not cheap. So before you invest your hard-earned money, it pays to do a little up-front research. This article provides some brief guidelines for to help you get started with buying model train toys.

There is a lot more to this hobby than just buying a couple of train toys to push around on a makeshift track. Instead, you need to consider everything from the materials from which the tracks are made to the locomotives, cars, wiring, power-pack components, and whether or not to purchase complete kits or buy each item separately.

One of the first things to consider is the scale. The most popular scales are O scale and HO scale (half-zero). O scale is 1:48 scale while HO is 1:87 scale. However, smaller and larger scale models are also available. The main consideration here is your availability of space. If you plan to fit your layout on a 4×8 piece of plywood, HO scale is a great choice for that. If you have more space and more money to spend, O scale is a great choice. There are lots of accessories available for either HO or O scale.

Another decision to make is whether to buy a complete kit or individual components. Kits are recommended for beginners because they provide the essential items at an affordable cost. The downside of buying individual components is it will cost more money and take more time to put it all together. However, for more serious model train hobbyists, buying individual components is recommended because it allows you to upgrade and customize your selections, making your set uniquely yours and totally awesome! Kits typically include standard quality items, which are okay for beginners but maybe not okay for more serious railroaders.

For the cars, as long as they are the same scale as your track, you really cannot go wrong. Buy the ones you like the best and have fun collecting unique and interesting cars.

One of the most important model train features is the track. Tracks have rail heads, which are made from three basic materials, brass, nickel-silver and steel. However, there are really just two choices here because brass is being phased out by most manufacturers and is already hard to find in hobby shops. The best and cheapest place to find brass track is in garage sales. So your remaining choices are nickel-silver and steel. Nickel-silver is the easiest to find and most commonly used. It is very popular because it is slower to oxidize, which means less maintenance and less cleaning. Steel has the advantage of looking the most realistic but it has the disadvantage of rusting faster and getting dirty faster. So if you want that awesome look that steel offers, you have to be willing to work harder for it.

When looking for track, look for a code on the track packages. This number relates to the height of the rail. The most commonly used track code is 100 on the HO scale. Model train enthusiasts often use lighter rails or those below 100 as an alternative to achieve a more realistic appearance.

Another important component is the locomotive. Here the choices are diesel versus steam engines. Steam locomotives are very fun because of the loud train sounds and smoke but are typically more expensive than diesel. Diesels are typically available as either 4-axle or 6-axle. Your choice here depends partly on the twists and turns of your track layout. For HO track, a 4-axle diesel requires a minimum track radius of 18 inches while a 6-axle diesel requires a minimum track radius of 22 inches.

Lastly, consider your electrical needs. You will not only need a power-pack but also wires to keep your train up and running. Different trains require different types of power. Most experts agree that HO locomotives pull between 0 to 15 volts DC at .5 or more amp, though adding extra amps is always a good investment. Invest in colored wires to make wiring that much easier. This helps you to keep track of positive and negative charges so that you can avoid a short.

What began as train toys can quickly become a far more serious but still very lovable model train hobby. This guide should help you get started so you can safely move past the serious issues and proceed directly into the fun times.

Technorati Tags: Buyer's, Guide, model, Toys, train

Product Description
Get behind the wheel for a trip around the world with a panoply of toy cars, trucks, and utility vehicles, both vintage and modern. Survey a selection of tinplate trains, including classic engines, passenger cars, elegant sleepers, and rolling stock. Discover knights, grenadiers, lancers, and the cavalry officers and foot soldiers from the armies of Napoleon, King Arthur, Grant, and Lee.Each book offers a historical perspective along with life-size reproductions of … More >>

Collectible Toys: Miniature Cars, Model Trains, and Toy Soldiers

Technorati Tags: cars., Collectible, miniature, model, Soldiers, Toys, trains