There are many different model trains using trains o scale available for purchase online. O scale trains used to be the most popular in the United states until the 1960’s. O gauge model trains before World War II were offered by manufacturers such as Ives, American Flyer, and Lionel offered. Currently, O scale trains are growing in popularity again.
There are several important things to be aware of when purchasing items related to trains o scale online. First of all, make sure that the website you are contemplating making a purchase from is a reputable business. It may be a good plan for you to call or contact the company with the information listed on thier website. Ask them a few questions about how long they have been in business, and how much knowledge they have about trains o scale.
It is wise for you to find out the company’s return policy. Will they accept returns? Is the customer required to cover the expense of the return shipping? What happens if the item ordered is damaged when it arrives? Before you order anything online, it is very important for you to get the answers to these questions. You’re out of luck if find out a company does not accept returns after you realize you have placed an order for the wrong item.
If time is of the essence and an o scale train part is needed immediately, make sure to find out how long it will take for the part to ship and the method of shipment. Depending on the item, it may take several business days for it to ship, and then arrival may depend on the shipping method. While priority shipping methods may take just a few days, other methods may take weeks.
A final factor to consider when researching online websites that offer trains o scale, is the types of payment accepted. This can be important depending on the payment method you prefer to use and how fast you need the item. You may prefer to send in a check or money order, however some companies may not accept those methods. The seller may prefer credit cards as payment in order to get your order out to you faster instead of them having to wait for checks to come in and clear. Be sure to find out payment methods that are accepted when considering an online company offering trains o scale.
Hobbyists collect lots of unusual things. My brother collected Coca Cola cans from various places and I once met this guy who collected chocolate wrappers. But collecting vintage model locomotives is a little different. Part of it is that a lot of these locomotives can be rehabilitated and made to work again. So it’s not like you are just staring at them in some book or on some wall. The locomotives still can be made to serve their role in real life. Try doing that with your stamp collection!
What kinds of trains do collectors collect? Well, there are lots of kinds but here are some of the most well loved and wonderful:
Lionel locomotives:
We have to start with the big tuna, Lionel locomotives. Lionel train has been the longest lasting model hobbying obsession. Lionel trains once topped the model training community. Baby boomers will recall the Lionel Holiday displays they saw as children. Lionel’s classic toy locomotives are some of the most popular and widely purchased trains around. Famous folks like the rocker Neil Young and the actor Tom Hanks have been life long Lionel fans. Lionel has a extensive literature that helps support it. Because Lionel was dominated in the 1950s and because the post War period was the high point of toy hobbying, it is no surprise that Lionel should be as well regarded as the company is.. Lionel’s value is raised by the truth that it positioned itself out of range for most customers back in the post war era, creating a scarcity that helps bouy its value even today.
American Flyers:
Among hardcore collectors and model locomotive enthusiasts no type of toy train has more cachet than the American Flyer S scale models that came out just after World War II. Although Gilbert failed to dethrone Lionel with his S scale locomotive in the 50’s, American Flyer locomotives are perhaps even more sought after today than Lionel’s vintage trains. Many collectors will absolutely swear by the quality of these locomotives. The uniqueness of s scale adds to the magic of the American Flyer brand. They are so popular among collectors and hobbyists that Lionel LLC, the current holder of the American Flyer patent, plans on re-marketing many of the most popular locomotives from this period. They are sure to disappear like hot cakes.
Ives:
If you really want to get a train that no one has try locating an old Ives locomotive. Just before World War II it was an Ives, American Flyer, Lionel three way fight for supremacy. An old Ives toy locomotive is a real find. Most are in O gauge just like Lionel but they are real collector’s items these days.
Clock operated locomotives of the Victorian era:
These toy trains from the very early period of toy training are really a find. These are mostly shown at shows these days but if you can actually find one, you’ll have a train that is really a part of the creation of toy locomotives. These clock operated trains, however, really give you a sense of how such trains were viewed before toy training became so popular. These classic model locomotives were clearly made for young people. They were clock operated because there was no power source yet. They were largely purchased by the well off back in the day and that’s who can afford to collect them now. They clearly had the children of the rich in mind. These locomotives can really capture the imagination of another age. These trains were part of the German obsession with development, and came to us along with kindergarten. Both were part of Germany’s obsessions with childrearing in the early 20th century.
Whatever style of classic toy train you choose to collect you will no doubt learn quite a bit about the history of model locomotives, toys in general and us as nation. There are certainly worse pursuits to spend your time on.
Here is more information on Model Steam Trains. Here is a website with a free mini-course dedicated to Model Trains.
It’s really hard these days to encourage kids to be involved in history. If it doesn’t connect to the power grid and add to the monthly electrical cost, lots of young people are just not that into it. This is after all the cyber age and if a kid isn’t reading three things at once he feels like he is slacking. But, as you know, the past is really a useful thing for them have. It’s not enough to know that there were some guys named Washington, Lincoln, Jefferson and Benjamin who now have their faces on our bills. If we’re going to remain a successful democracy we really need to instill some of our vibrant history to them. So how do we get them to start the book on the traditions of this country without feeling like we’re pulling teeth? Toy locomotives can put our kids on the track to becoming more culturally and historically literate. Yes. Yeah, historic model trains embody a vibrant history with them but don’t burden us with feeling that we are being educated. Here’s how to teach our traditions with toy trains:
Use trains as a secret vehicle for the past:
If you’ve already gotten your kids involved in toy trains, a great second step is to design a toy train lay out that accurately reveals a specific period and place. For example, let’s say that you decide to depict the American Southwest in the period just after the Civil War. You can get your kids to research this period and then add period details that will really add to the joy and historical accuracy of your trainlayout. Imagine stringing up a long row of telegraph poles next to your track to show the communications system of the time. A ghost town that failed to benefit on the railroad because it didn’t get a stop might be shown tantalizingly close to the track. Maybe even put in a representative robber baron surveying his train empire.
Spice up the tired old school project by swapping in a model train setup instead:
You might also manage to talk your child’s history teacher into allowing him to bring in a historic model locomotive track plan in place of the usual boring diorama. A static diorama really can’t compete with the dynamic movement of a historic model locomotive design. A picture of Jesse James is fine, but what if you incorporated model trains to bring the train robber’s life details and cultural context to life. You could show the robber awaiting the period specific locomotive with his whole gang and also show other aspects of this beautiful period of American the past. It’s sure to be a success!
Visit a toy locomotive Museum:
There are also a few model train museums and other train related historic sites where you can see historic toy locomotives and some real locomotives as well. If your local historic train site doesn’t have toy trains consider suggesting they incorporate some to the curator or manager of the site. In some places, model locomotive clubs often put on model train events.. Just keep your ears pricked and you are sure to come across one sooner or later.
Whatever you decide to do, you will discover that model locomotives are a door to the past even if you don’t explicitly use them as such. Even if you just do model training without even considering the educational possibilities you will inevitably kindle a greater sense of historical knowledge simply by handling these little mechanical doorways to the past.
Here is more information on Model Steam Trains. Here is a website with a free mini-course dedicated to Model Trains.
admin | July 26, 2010
