| For people who aren't involved in the model railroading | | | | Electric trains followed soon after, commonly believed |
| hobby, there's really no difference between "toy" trains | | | | to have been introduced by Carlisle and Finch in 1897 in |
| and "model" trains. After all, both hobbies involve small | | | | the United States. The Lionel corporation revolutionized |
| trains that are controlled by some sort of power pack. | | | | these model and they rapidly gained popularity and |
| There is a significant difference, however, to anyone | | | | sophistication. |
| who is an enthusiast. Calling a model railroad a "toy | | | | Things such as lighting, ability to change direction and |
| train" is like calling a classic piece of literature a "novel". | | | | "real" smoke were some of the earliest realism |
| Toy trains are generally marketing to children, and are | | | | features that were added. There was still little |
| the way many of us were introduced to the hobby. | | | | distinction between "toy" and "model" trains until the |
| They tend to be quite plain looking and not based on | | | | 1950's, however, when the modern emphasis on |
| any real-life trains. Model trains, on the other hand, are | | | | realism really started to take hold. |
| often a true art form with scale reproductions of real | | | | Today there are various gauges of model railroads, |
| or potential trains and layouts (a technique known as | | | | with a vast array of accessories available. They can |
| prototyping). | | | | be controlled by computer and entire railyards can be |
| Some of the earliest toy trains were available in the | | | | operated exactly the way they would be in real life. |
| early 19th century. They often had wind-up motors or | | | | Many model railroading enthusiasts spend thousands |
| even steam-powered locomotives and were generally | | | | of dollar and hundreds of hours creating prototypes of |
| made from cast iron. | | | | actual railroad lines, both past and present. |
| In the 1850's a German company named Marklin, who | | | | There are clubs and associations that offer resources |
| made dollhouse accessories, introduced a box set of a | | | | for beginners and experienced railroaders alike. The |
| train and track to try to broaden its market to include | | | | internet has also helped to make it easier to find |
| boys as well as girls. They also made extra tracks, | | | | information on model railroading, as well as a much |
| rolling stock and building that were available as | | | | larger selection of trains and accessories than the |
| accessories. | | | | average hobby store could hope to stock. |