Model trains are identified by the term “scale” which is the relationship between its size and the size of an actual train.

In model railroading the most popular scales are O, HO, N, and Z scale. The photograph shows O, HO, and N scale locomotives next to soup can provides a feel for their actual sizes. The O scale locomotive (the largest) is an Atlantic class steam locomotive made by Lionel. The HO scale diesel in the middle is a Union Pacific EMD engine from Bachmann. The smallest of the three is the N scale Kato Santa Fe diesel locomotive.

Now let’s take a look at the different scale size model trains sets locomotives.

O Scale – 1:48

Marklin, a German toy manufacturer was the first to manufacture an O scale model train around 1900. The manufacture chose the 1/48th proportion because it was the scale they used for making doll houses. O scale is where 1/4 inch equals 1 foot. O scale model train was originally identified Zero Scale, because it was a step down in size from 1 scale. From the 1920s until after World War II the O scale trains dominated the model train market. But as model trains became more affordable the space required to set up layouts became a major consideration in the purchase of a model railroad train.

HO Scale 1:87.1

By far the most popular scale today worldwide is the HO size model railroad trains. HO scale is where 3.5mm equals 1 foot. HO stands for “Half O”. The model train industry states that HO is “approximately half O” because HO is in metrics and O scale is based on English units of measures.

S Scale – 1:64

The S scale model trains were first introduced by A.C. Gilbert as American Flyer products in 1939. S scale is where 3/16ths of an inch equals 1 foot. The American Flyer brand still exists as Lionel product line even though very few companies manufacture S scale trains today.

TT Scale – 1:120

The TT scale was invented in America after World War II. It is very popular in Russia, eastern Germany, and former Soviet Union countries. The 1/120th scale is usually used in engineering diagrams because the size allows 1 inch to equal 10 feet. The TT scale has not received an acceptance outside of eastern Europe even though it fills the niche between HO and N scale.

N Scale – 1:160

The “N” stands for nine millimeter. N scale is where 2mm is approximately 1 foot. N scale model train has become the second most popular scale around the world. N scale is selected by many model train hobbies as an alternative to HO scale because a more complex layouts can be built in the available space. Manufacturing and the painting
processes are able to produce N scale models with surprising levels of detail.

Z Scale – 1:220

Z scale was the smallest available scale in model railroading prior to 2008. Z scale has become very popular with apartment dwellers and those that are limited for layout space. Z scale is awkward mathematically, approximately 0.0545 inches to the foot. Today the Z scale is the fastest growing scale in model train sets. There are manufacturers that offer an entire track layouts with landscape, buildings, and a power supply in a briefcase. These are high end toys that are selling for around $1,000.

G Scale – 1:22.5

G scale which stands for “garden”, is the largest consumer scale. G scale is where 1 foot is approximately 1/2 inch. LGB introduced the G scale in 1968. Marklin now manufactures most of the G Scale trains. These large size G scale trains are frequently used outdoors and that is why it is sometimes referred to as the “Garden Scale”. Lionel currently makes an animated G scale Christmas set that will circle around the base of a Christmas tree.

OO Scale – 1:76.2

OO scale is where 4mm equals 1 foot. This metric scale is very popular in the United Kingdom. The British firm Hornby is the largest manufacturer of OO scale trains.

Based on the movie Polar Express, the Lionel Polar Express Train Set is very nice train set and a great gift for anyone that enjoys model trains. This is a great starter set that comes ready to run right out of the box. Lionel has come up with a winner and it is a very popular set year round (in addition to the holiday season mega popularity).

Lionel Polar Express Train Set

With beautiful craftsmanship and quality the Polar Express Train Set will become an enjoyment for everyone in the family. This model train set is designed for children ages eight and older and is based on the Caldecott Award-winning book “Polar Express,” and the 2004 movie. The beautiful train set is pretty easy to put together, but parents should supervise at first. The pieces of the train set go together easily, from the linking of the locomotive and cars, to setting up the track. Even children under eight years old can enjoy the Polar Express while parents help them.

This toy is fun to set up and play with. A number of the parts are reassuringly heavy and durable, especially the transformer that powers the train. A small learning curve is required to learn how to drive the train, especially for electric train novices, but your kids will catch on quickly with your help. Learning how to drive the train both backward and forward may takes some practice. There are even small figurines that can ride atop the cars. However, these part are small and may get lost. These small pieces may also pose a choking hazard to younger kids.

If you like you can add the smoke fluid that will allow the locomotive to emit puffs of smoke as it chugs along. There is also a very realistic-sounding steam whistle. The transformer is heavy and solid, with a big throttle that’s easy for little hands to operate and throttle the engine.

You will find the train runs very smoothly around the oval track. At 60 inches long and 40 inches wide, the track is not that big, but you can make larger by purchasing more track pieces that are sold separately from Lionel. You will enjoyed the old-fashioned quality built into the train set’s well-crafted pieces, as well the design details such as interior lighting, retro styling, and a working headlight that will make the Polar Express come alive in from our your child’s eyes. The train will puff smoke and makes whistle sounds that are realistic as the train makes its way around the oval track.
Here is what comes in the Lionel ready to go Box1 die-cast steam engine; 1 coal tender; 2 coach passenger cars; 1 observation car; 1 CW-80 transformer; Santa’s Bell; 4 articulated movie characters; 1 bottle smoke fluid; 40- x 60-inch oval track (with 8 curved sections; 3 straight sections; 1 power terminal section); and instruction book.

Lionel Polar Express Model Train Set

Product Features

• Transformer controlled forward, neutral, and reverse operation
• Locomotive has operating headlight and puffing smoke; air whistle in the tender
• Locomotive features die-cast metal locomotive body and frame, powerful
• maintenance-free motor, two traction tires, and separately applied metal handrails
• Operating couplers on rolling stock and on rear of tender
• Passenger cars feature interior lighting and silhouettes in windows

Thomas and Friends wooden toy train sets, wooden train track and wooden train accessories provides children the opportunity develop imagination and learning capacity through playing with the wooden toy train and accessories. The Thomas and Friends toy train sets and train accessories will help your child to improve eye hand coordination, ability to identify different shapes, forms and colors.

Thomas Train Table and Playboard

Thomas the Tank Engine wooden toys were inspired by the ‘Thomas the Tank Engine’ book of 1946.

These wooden model trains sets are good for both boys and girls to play with. These sets are magical in helping your child’s develop their imagination as they move the wooden train pieces and accessories around the track and layout. What is really great is that you will be able to watch you child grow and develop before your eyes.

Watch closely as your child involves themselves into the wonderful world of the Thomas and Friends layouts elements. Your little engineer and developer will become delighted with the engines and cars. Their manual dexterity, creativity and hand and eye coordination will continue to develop as they play.

Your child will learn important lessons in cooperation with others, sharing with others, and basic friendship principals as well as long term critical thinking skills. Learning their colors, shapes, and counting is made fun with Thomas and Friends.  Thomas and Friends wooden train sets is a developmental system that teaches many vital skill that will serve your child well throughout their lives.

The Thomas & Friends Thomas train sets are painted in beautiful vibrant colors using nontoxic materials and the pieces go through US labs testing to conform to ASTM-963 and CPSC Directives. The paint used conforms to the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act.

Wooden Thomas train sets and toy trains are not just for kids. Parents even fall in love with the design of the Thomas Train Set layouts and running the train over the wooden track. The Thomas wooden train set is a wonderful hobby that can span generations of family fun! Just ask anyone who has a Thomas Train Set and they will tell you how involve they get with the layout, train, and accessories.

Thomas and Friends Train Sets

Basic track layouts are part of all the Thomas and Friends Train Sets. You will find it fun creating layout designs with your child using the wooden train tracks. Remember there are no rules when it comes to layouts and designs. Only your imagination. You can make them as long as you have enough tracks or any shape you want. The more pieces of tracks that you have, the more creative you can be.  You can add suspension bridges,
roundhouse or 8 way turns. Just let your child’s imagination run wild!

Thomas and Friends Brief History

The Thomas and friends story began about 60 years ago. The Engines and their stories created by Reverend W. Awdry were brought to life for Christopher his son who was confined to bed with measles.  Christopher so loved these stories that he asked his father to write them all down.  These stories were eventually published in the book
“The Three Railway Engines” in 1945. The Reverend Awdry made his son a simple wooden toy engine that Christmas that he named Thomas. In 1946, the wonderful story “Thomas the Tank Engine” was published.  Every year a new story was published until his twenty-sixth and final story, “Tramway Engines,” came out in 1972. In 1983 Christopher followed in his father’s footsteps and published his first book, “Really Useful Engines”.  Christopher went on to publish a total of 14 Thomas stories, continuing the legacy and a second generation of Thomas fans.

Thomas and Friends Patryk’s collection movie

The Lionel New York Central Freight Train Set is one of the high quality model trains sets. It is easy to assemble and to get started having fun. The pieces, especially the locomotive is very solid and durable.

Lionel New York Central Freight Train Set

The Freight Train Set has a powerful 0-8-0 steam locomotive that will lead the train around the track. The locomotive has an upgraded drive rod assembly, electronic steam whistle, and puffing smoke. The train set comes complete with freight cars, a large loop of Fastrack, and a powerful CW-80 Transformer. Right out of the box this train set is ready to run.

This model train set includes: 0-8-0 steam locomotive and tender, boxcar with opening doors, operating coal dump car, gondola with four canisters, caboose, two straight FasTrack track sections, eight curved FasTrack track sections, a FasTrack terminal section, a FasTrack uncoupling section, CW-80 Transformer, smoke fluid, coal load. Train length is 58”, track layout is 40” x 60”.

Product Features include:

• CW-80 transformer that controlls forward, neutral, and reverse operation Operating steam whistle with an ON/OFF switch
• Operating headlight and puffing smoke unit
• Die-cast metal locomotive body and frame, die-cast operating coupler on front of locomotive, traction tires, engineer and fireman figures in locomotive cab
• Die-cast metal sprung trucks and operating couplers on all rolling stock; operating dumping bin on coal car; interior illumination in caboose

Lionel New York Central Freight Train

This Life Like Trains Rail Master Electric Train Set HO-gauge includes a bright-yellow Union Pacific diesel locomotive, two freight cars, a caboose, and a 45-by-36-inch oval track that allows the train to get up to top speed. For those nighttime runs, the engine’s headlight will guide the way. The oval track pieces attach easily.  The powerful transformer control box simple enough for the youngest engineers to operate, allows the train to move forward or in reverse around the track. Also included is a 32-page guide that provides over one hundred tips for railroad building, easy setup directions, and HO-gauge products that are available. This model train set setup takes only minutes making this little railroad perfect for the beginning engineer and model railway buff.

Life Like Trains Rail Master Electric Train Set

Product Features

• F40PH Sante Fe locomotive plus 3 cars
• 47″ x 38″ oval track layout
• Powerful transformer for engine control
• 100 accessory pieces includes utility poles, railroad and street signs

Here are eight steps to consider when buying that model train set for your child and family.

1. You will nee to travel to toy store or hobby store. You should consider a compete ready to go electric model train set.
2. Determine how extensive of a train set you want. They range from a simple circular track without much scenery to the more complex.
3. Do your homework and select the train scale that will meet your needs. Common scales for model trains rank from largest size to smallest scale. The scales are O, S, HO and TT. You will find that the HO scale is the most common.
4. After picking the scale, determine if you have enough room for it in your house.
5. Most ready to go railroad sets come with a small amount of track, switches and plugs, an engine and a few cars. You usually can add more track later.
6. Once you decide on the layout for your room make sure you have enough curves and you can lay out a complete circuit.
7. Go to your local hardware store and buy a table for your track layout or build one out of plywood.
8. Make sure you leave enough room future track and accessories expansion.

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