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Model trains are just some of the items of interest to collectors. As
their name suggests, these are imitations of actual and existing train
models and designs. Model trains are usually bought for children to play
with; however, some enthusiasts purchase expensive and high-quality
model trains for display. History of Model Trains Model trains existed as long as real trains did. The early types of model trains were manual. One needed to fire up a mini-steam engine inside each train to make it move or, in some cases, used a wind-up key at the back of the train. With the invention of electricity, however, manufacturers started creating trains with electric power during the later years of the nineteenth century. Buying Model Trains Model trains are readily available to anyone who wants to buy them. Since they are mostly used as toys, you can find several of them in the local toy store. For collectors, however, you cannot just buy any model train. Buying collectors' item model trains require careful research and deliberation. First, you need to have an idea about how much space you can spare for your model train display. This will help you decide on the scale and the number of tracks that your model train display will use. Most collectors would devote an entire room for their model trains, but it is entirely up to you. You also need to have a budget. The budget would influence greatly the type of model train you buy. Once you have those information down and ready, you can then start hunting for your model train. Types of Scales There are many scales of model trains that you can choose from. Here are the five model scales and information about them: G Scale The G-scale has a scale of 1:22.5. This makes it 22 times smaller than an actual train. The G-scale can be used in both indoor and outdoor displays because they are sturdy and able to resist the effects of harsh elements. Z Scale Z-scale model trains are the smallest model trains. They only have a scale of 1:220, making them 10 times smaller than G-scale models. However, they are also highly detailed and look very real. If you are constrained by space, you can always turn to Z-scale trains. N Scale N-scale trains are a little bigger than the Z-scales, with a scale of 1:160. They work well with scenery, making them ideal for landscape displays both indoors and outdoors. O Scale O-scale trains are kid-friendly. They are generally sold as toy models. The O-scale train has a scale of 1:48, almost 50 times smaller than actual trains. HO Scale The HO scale is the most popular scale among collectors and model train hobbyists. It has a scale of 1:87. HO scales are famous for the amount of detail that they have. They can be complemented by using scenery, buildings, and human figures for your displays. You need not worry about space, because the requirements for HO scales are moderate. So whether you need trains for collection or for display, you now know how to pick them right. |