Wednesday, 25 November 2009
O Scale Model Train
O scale was originally introduced in the 1900's by Marklin, a German manufacturer and is the scale that is often used for toy trains. By the 1930s O gauge was the most popular model railroad scale in the United States. It remained popular until the 1960s, until the introduction of smaller scales, at which point its sales took a nosedive.
When model trains were looked upon as toys, the O scale was at its peak. Important to users at the time was value for money and durability, as they were a popular purchase for children, who don't posses the gentle hands that adults do. At this stage intricacy and realism were not of much importance.
Just to be clear on the difference between a model train and a toy. Toy trains are easy to spot whilst out shopping and are usually made out of plastic. As a rule they are of poor quality, low priced and with no pretence to be anything more than they are. A disposable child's toy. Although these lowly toys, can often be the first step to a lifelong fascination with trains - they cannot be classed in the same league as a model train!...or am I simply being snobby about toy trains?
Anyway, O scale still has its place and in the United States, it is still a popular choice for enthusiasts who perhaps enjoy other aspects of model railroading and are not too concerned with detail or realism. O scales remains popular in the United Kingdom as it is easily accessible and reasonably priced.
When boys grow up they are called men. And when toy trains grow up, they are called locomotives.
Stuart Graham is a model train enthusiast. For more information on model railway trains visit http://www.themodeltraincenter.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stuart_Graham
When model trains were looked upon as toys, the O scale was at its peak. Important to users at the time was value for money and durability, as they were a popular purchase for children, who don't posses the gentle hands that adults do. At this stage intricacy and realism were not of much importance.
Just to be clear on the difference between a model train and a toy. Toy trains are easy to spot whilst out shopping and are usually made out of plastic. As a rule they are of poor quality, low priced and with no pretence to be anything more than they are. A disposable child's toy. Although these lowly toys, can often be the first step to a lifelong fascination with trains - they cannot be classed in the same league as a model train!...or am I simply being snobby about toy trains?
Anyway, O scale still has its place and in the United States, it is still a popular choice for enthusiasts who perhaps enjoy other aspects of model railroading and are not too concerned with detail or realism. O scales remains popular in the United Kingdom as it is easily accessible and reasonably priced.
When boys grow up they are called men. And when toy trains grow up, they are called locomotives.
Stuart Graham is a model train enthusiast. For more information on model railway trains visit http://www.themodeltraincenter.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stuart_Graham
Best Layout in the Entire Neighborhood
It's always tempting to start planning how you want your model railroad to look. Do you want one circular track or are your ambitions to see several tracks snaking around your basement? Would your perfect layout consist of imposing mountain ranges or smaller and detailed streams and bridges? Whatever the ultimate dream is for your model railroad, the first thing you need to get sorted, is your benchwork.
There is no escaping the fact that if your benchwork is not up to the job, then your layout simply will not last for long. When you consider that the benchwork has to take the weight of not only the layout, train and all the accessories, but perhaps one or two humans leaning on it, you will appreciate that it must be strong. Whether you decide to build your own benchwork or purchase a precut and predrilled kit, you must select the very best that you can.
If you do decide to build your own, a 3/8 or 1/2 inch thick piece of plywood should be strong enough to provide a solid platform. If you think that you may wish to move the benchwork at sometime in the future, simply cut the plywood into several pieces before you put the structure together. And remember to ensure the benchwork is the correct height for operating your trains from, you don`t want to be stooping over the controls and end up with a bad back!
Once the benchwork is sorted, it is time to get planning for the final design. Decide how much space you can afford to give to your railroad. Think about access to all areas of the track should a derailment occur. Take your time to decide exactly what you want to create and visit as many other model train display as you can to give you ideas and inspiration.
At the end of the day, this is your dream layout, so have some fun and let your imagination run wild.
Stuart Graham is a model train enthusiast. For more information on model railway trains visit http://www.themodeltraincenter.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stuart_Graham
There is no escaping the fact that if your benchwork is not up to the job, then your layout simply will not last for long. When you consider that the benchwork has to take the weight of not only the layout, train and all the accessories, but perhaps one or two humans leaning on it, you will appreciate that it must be strong. Whether you decide to build your own benchwork or purchase a precut and predrilled kit, you must select the very best that you can.
If you do decide to build your own, a 3/8 or 1/2 inch thick piece of plywood should be strong enough to provide a solid platform. If you think that you may wish to move the benchwork at sometime in the future, simply cut the plywood into several pieces before you put the structure together. And remember to ensure the benchwork is the correct height for operating your trains from, you don`t want to be stooping over the controls and end up with a bad back!
Once the benchwork is sorted, it is time to get planning for the final design. Decide how much space you can afford to give to your railroad. Think about access to all areas of the track should a derailment occur. Take your time to decide exactly what you want to create and visit as many other model train display as you can to give you ideas and inspiration.
At the end of the day, this is your dream layout, so have some fun and let your imagination run wild.
Stuart Graham is a model train enthusiast. For more information on model railway trains visit http://www.themodeltraincenter.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stuart_Graham
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