From the very first model railway trains a boy or girl receives, the potential for enjoyment of this fascinating toy grows. Even though children today are very much the product of a digital age, with video games and electronic toys flooding the market, the model trains still hold their appeal and a good set may often be passed from father to son, they are so well built.
The first train set might be simple with just a couple of switches, a great looking replica train and perhaps a tree or two. However, if the fascination continues (as it often does) then the desire to improve will take over and the scenery and train tracks will become more elaborate. Kids are not the only ones drawn to this hobby; some adults have made an art form of producing miniature trains and realistic settings.
The beauty of a miniature train and its setting is that it can be as simple or complex as the skills and the desire of the owner. A younger child would probably be thrilled with a ready to run model of the Polar Express (a Lionel train) or Hogwarts Express, complete with tracks and the famed Hogwarts passenger cars. On the other hand, an older child or adult may enjoy creating their own settings or even assembling a model train on their own. Other adults may even take this to the limits and recreate a particular train stop or route right down to the houses and stoplights appropriate for the era.
Whatever the skills and abilities of the train enthusiast, model railway train sets can be purchased that suit the hobbyist abilities and desires. These delightful replicas can provide an afternoon or many months & worth of entertainment just assembling the parts; it all depends upon the desires of the train fancier.
Although it may seem that young people today are focused on electronics, from cell phones to video games, model railway trains can still bring hours of entertainment to the young of all ages and be enjoyed long after the latest fad has been tossed in the closet and forgotten.
Adults are far from immune to the allure of model trains many having begun their fascination with model trains with a childhood Christmas gift of a ready to run toy train. These adults are some of the greatest artisans today of model scenery and detailed miniatures. Others simply find relaxation and a relief from stress with these replicas and the tiny world the owner creates for them to inhabit.
Model railway trains have been a fascinating toy and an enthralling hobby for collectors and modelers for about 100 years or more and they appear to continue in their popularity. They will not be the least expensive toy or gift someone can give, but they have the potential to outlast almost any other toy and provide an outlet for a child and adult imagination and creativity. Very young children should be supervised when using an electric train set as there are very small parts that can be swallowed and assembly will usually require adult assistance for the younger set.