| Miniature model trains are a central part of many | | | | make it all go smoothly: |
| happy childhood memories. Such toys are often given | | | | Regardless of whether the miniature model train is |
| as birthday presents and holiday gifts. The hours that a | | | | made of plastic or metal, keeping it on the track is the |
| child spends watching his choo-choo making its way | | | | first hurdle to clear. If the locomotive derails frequently, |
| along the track are purely joyful. Locomotives made of | | | | it's important to scrutinize the tracks. Often, they have |
| plastic, sometimes with cartoon faces, are often the | | | | not been properly assembled. The grooves from one |
| first such toy for a young child. As the child grows | | | | piece of track need to fit smoothly into the next. |
| older, he naturally develops an interest in more | | | | Running one's hand over the tracks will highlight uneven |
| elaborate and realistic layouts with more powerful | | | | places that caused the derailment. First, look under the |
| locomotives made of metal. A casual hobby will | | | | segment of track to see if there is anything on the |
| sometimes mature into a lifelong fascination. | | | | substrate that is causing the bump. If the flooring is |
| One of the reasons that adults have such fond | | | | perfectly smooth, then there may be a flaw in the |
| memories of their earliest miniature model trains is that | | | | section of track itself -- which can be remedied by |
| they are associated with quality time spent with | | | | sanding or filing down the bump. |
| parents. Much like attending a baseball game or fishing, | | | | Matching up the miniature model train to the |
| collecting and operating miniature model trains is a | | | | correct size track is of paramount importance. If the |
| wonderful opportunity for bonding. | | | | track rails are too narrowly or too widely spaced, the |
| Traditionally, operating miniature model trains has been | | | | locomotive will derail. Sometimes, if the spacing is an |
| a father/son endeavor, but there are of course many | | | | anomaly, the track may be widened or narrowed in |
| girls who like them as well. One mistake that | | | | small increments by heating the rails of the track and |
| manufacturers made in the 1950's was developing a | | | | forcing them in or out. |
| line of models in pastel colors. The product was not | | | | Keeping the miniature model train's wheels |
| successful because girls like their replicas to look | | | | well-oiled will avoid derailment problems. When the |
| realistic, just as boys do. | | | | wheel becomes stuck, the train will run off the track. All |
| On Christmas Eve, Dad might spend hours on the living | | | | it takes is a drop or two of oil, and the wheels will turn |
| room floor setting up the track so that in the morning, | | | | freely once more. |
| his son would immediately have the delight of making | | | | Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles will thank you for |
| the miniature model trains go round and round. An | | | | starting your child on the track of toy trains, since the |
| even better option is to use this opportunity for a | | | | problem of gift giving will be solved for years. There |
| shared activity. Putting together the track is a great | | | | will always be a new module to buy, or an interesting |
| way for a parent to impart problem-solving skills to the | | | | accessory, or more segments of track. For the child, it |
| child. | | | | is wonderful to watch his little empire grow as he |
| When setting up the track, here are some tips to | | | | collects miniature model trains. |