What's the deal with model trains?
Trains are the oldest form of mechanical transport and often carry a sense of nostalgia for those riding in them. First created as a way to promote locomotive transportation to those who had not seen trains before, today model trains are maintained by legions of passionate enthusiasts around the world, including celebrities like Tom Hanks, Rod Stewart and Michael Jordan. Model trains in the 1950s began moving from being simply toy train sets designed for children to intricately detailed equipment geared toward adult collectors. Today there are over a half million enthusiasts that spend over $424 million annually on the hobby. So what exactly is the deal with model trains? The following infographics provides a brief history and some fun facts on this fascinating hobby.
2 Responses
Morton J. Neipp
Does anybody remember Rochester? Jack Benney’s sidekick? He was quite a model railroad enthusiast. I understand his house was filled with electric trains.
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Kevin Allen
August 10, 2015
The infographic left out the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry – it has a huge HO scale layout representing the cross country route from Chicago to Seattle not to mention other great rail exhibits as well. Well worth the time if your’re in Chicago.