Antique Model Railroading

Model railroading originated as a hobby in the mid-19th century, beginning with primitive steam powered “carpet trains.” Such models were composed of simple boilers on wheels, decorated and perhaps provided with a bumper to prevent damage to furniture and walls. They did not operate on a track, and ran in whatever direction they were set off until they encountered an obstacle. Many early toy models made to run on tracks were powered by clockwork, which removed many of the difficulties of steam power, but required that the train be frequently wound. They also, like their predecessors, had no way for the operator to stop or restart the train or vary its speed. These trains merely kept going until they ran out of power.

Electric trains first appeared commercially in the 1890s, and allowed speed to be controlled by varying the voltage. They used a three-rail system, where the wheels of the train rested on a metal track, and the third track provided power. More modern trains operate on a two-rail system, with the power conducted directly through the wheels. This was made possible by the advent of modern plastics and insulators. DC power is the most common method of power at this time, but some manufacturers use common household AC power. Very early electric trains ran on battery power, as homes were not yet wired to receive electrical service at that time.

Older trains were also not constructed to very accurate standards, being a general representation of a locomotive, rather than a true scale model. From the 1960s onward, some trains were created with a greater eye to accuracy and detail, moving away from the old mentality that model trains are merely toys for children. This was accompanied by a move away from the old O gauge track, which had been standard, but had many inaccuracies to allow for rapid production and cost reduction. More accurate train scales have never been available in a large commercial range because of the difficulty of mass-producing them, but they are available to the serious hobbyist.

The most collected of antique trains are the Lionel brand. Lionel produced the majority of toy trains throughout the 20th century, and remain a major producer of toy and model railroads. Other, more obscure brands are also sought after, including a rare pre-WW2 Japanese competitor called Sakai, German Marx trains, and antique 19th century sets. One of the original carpet trains in good condition can reach £400 (about $780) at auction in the United Kingdom. Antique trains are available at auctions, estate sales, and from traditional retailers. The online auction site Ebay has a number of listings from many eras for such trains. Model railroading has a long and unique history, which is still continuing today. Antique trains can add much to that experience.

Copyright 2007 Jim Sterling - All Rights Reserved

Model Railroad Scenery using Extruded Foam

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