America's fascination with Model Railroading and Model Trains as a hobby dates back to the early 1930s. Primarily, the hobby focuses on the creative process of building and maintaining a train layout. Each layout has a basic theme which includes the landscape, time era, types of trains and detail with the other models.

The hobby continues to thrive in large part to the incredible obsession young children have with train. Kids Love Trains!

Kids of all ages can enjoy the real thing: Train Rides For Fun!

Model Train Bookshelf:

The Ultimate Guide to Model Trains

Model Train Collector's Association Grading Standards

Mint Brand: new, absolutely unmarred, all original, and unused.

Like New: Free of any blemishes, nicks, or scratches. Original condition throughout. Very little sign of use.

Excellent: Minute nicks or scratches. No dents or rust.

Very Good: Few scratches. Exceptionally clean. No dents or rust

Good: Scratches, small dents, dirty.

Fair: Well-scratched, chipped, dented, rusted, or warped condition.

Poor: Beat up, junk condition, some usable parts.

Model Train Terms

Gauge: The size of the track width. Model trains come in several sizes usually 0, 027, Garden (G) and Standard (S).

Scale: The relationship between the model and its real world equivalent. Examples: 1/48th scale.