Model Trains History
Model trains have been in existence since the time the first real locomotives appeared. The first ones may have been used as promotional materials to advertise this new way of travel and then later became toys. During the Victorian period, there were various categories of model trains – live steam engine models, pull along trains, penny trains and clockwork trains. The live steam engine trains were quite costly and purchased only by the wealthy.
In 1891, Markin (a German company) manufactured and sold the first model train sets. These sets included a series of standard track gauges with the various track sections. Each set also included a line of locomotives, but there was the added option of purchasing more tracks and locomotives to add to the collection. These early model trains came in three gauges and were made of painted and soldered tinplate. A smaller gauge was added after a few years and the range of locomotives was expanded.
The success of Markin with these new toys inspired other companies to start producing their versions of model trains. Each year brought new models and materials to the market, which was mainly in Britain, France and the US.
The practice of engaging in model railroad systems as a hobby started in the UK. Amateur railroad builders started assembling their own systems and building the scenery to surround them. Basset-Lowke capitalized on the idea of producing these systems for adults, rather than children and together with Henry Greenly, started designing different models. Greenly established a system of scales based on the gauges used by Markin.
Manufactures of model trains in the US also started experimenting with electrical models. The result was that by the end of the 19th century, there were several electric train sets on the market. Ives was one company that competed with German companies in creating clockwork tinplate trains in smaller gauges. Lionel was another company that produced only electric trains.
As the competition grew, each company built on the advancements of the other. By the time World War One started, the model trains were more realistic looking than the previous ones had been. After the war, Germany was no longer able to export the trains to other countries and new industries sprang up in England and France. Hornby Trains got their start in Britain. It was during this period that British hobbyists started taking a more active interest in model railroading.
The model train industry in the US did not suffer from the ill effects of World War Two as it did in the other countries. The model trains developed in this time frame added more added features, such as smoke and steam, and became more like toys. They were mass - produced during the 1950’s, not only in the US, but in other places that had bounced back into the business.
It was generally accepted that model trains were not just for children. Although they were mass-produced in places such as Hong Kong and China in the 1960’s and 1970’s, new manufacturers sprang up in Britain in the 1970’s. New gauges were developed and some of the older larger scale models were revived. The model train is still in existence with more models available than ever before.