In the early 1980s, the must-have toy for boys under 10 was Big Trak. Big Trak – which looked like a moon buggy might if it had been designed by a drunk Sir Clive Sinclair – was advertised as your programmable servant, an indispensable mobile butler that could be programmed to fulfil basic household tasks. Sadly, in reality, Big Trak was a jerky electronic simpleton, and the chances of him transporting a glass of Tizer across the living room without spilling it on the carpet or himself were extraordinarily low.
Although Big Trak had many faults, however, we held that the basic idea – using a toy as a handy transport system in the home – was a sound one. Maybe all that needed changing in this plan was the toy. And so it was that we set about fitting the Man Lab with a fully integrated man-serving railway.
Writing in The Boys’ Book of Model Railways in 1956, Ernest F. Carter observes that model railway building is truly a “hobby for the million” – a pastime deserving of its enormous following – as “it offers such unlimited scope for personal individuality and ability”. He goes on to observe that the appeal of a model railway lies in the fact that it is “always complete yet never finished; and it is this queer mixture of 'collecting’ and constructional work which seems to be the underlying reason for the appeal of Model Railwaying to the average handyman”.
Although the golden age of model railwaying may have peaked roughly ten minutes after Ernest F. Carter penned those words, there can be no doubt that model railways retain an appeal for blokes even today.
If you are seriously going to build a model railway round your home/ studio/office/place of work – and we strongly recommend that everyone at least considers it – then you’ll need the following: lots of sheets of plywood, for your baseboards (you can use other materials, but whatever you decide on needs to be tough and thick enough so that it will fully support your locomotive and track and won’t bend or flex); lots of pine battening; a decent quality model locomotive and trucks; lots and lots of track; some more track — you almost certainly didn’t buy enough; a signalling system; many tools, but most essentially a jig saw to cut your baseboards.
Make sure in the hobby shop that your locomotive, trucks and track are all a compatible gauge and are capable of freighting loads. Hobby shops tend to be staffed by men who know everything and more about model railways, so ask one of them.
Your first task, having secured all the necessary equipment, is to design your railway. This will largely be dictated by the size of the area you have to set your network in and the locations your small-objects express will be most use stopping at.
TIP: think carefully before revealing to anyone important to you that you are working on a “model railway”. Not everyone realises that toy trains are the hobby of kings and the inspiration of philosophers.
Be imaginative – there’s nothing to stop your locomotive running through and behind things, and crossing large gaps, if you’re prepared to put the work in. Hobby shops will sell many accessories for model railways that you can utilise in your layout – bridges and tunnels are especially helpful.
Make sure you know what’s available before you begin. Pay attention to curves and gradients, as these will test the locomotive more than running on a straight. It’s generally not good to have your track rising as it exits from the kitchen area of the Man Lab, as the trucks will probably be fully loaded, placing extra stress on your engine.
TIP: If you do put in tunnels, make sure they’re high enough to accommodate tall loads, such as an ambitiously high stack of Pringles.
We will assume that you’re building the track to be a permanent addition to your Man Lab. Cut your lengths of baseboard in accordance with the plans that you’ve made. We can further assume, for the purposes of convenience, that your railway will be at roughly tabletop (waist) height for the entirety of its run. The baseboard it runs on will therefore be supported either by brackets of 45-degree pine battening, that support the track by being screwed into a wall or, where a wall isn’t available, by viaduct-like struts of pine battening reaching to the floor: either way, make sure that the baseboard is absolutely level all the way round and properly supported.
TIP: Make sure that any places where the path of the railway runs across the path of human beings is accessible to both – you might want to build a lifting flap that raises a section of track, allowing access.
Secure track to baseboard by either a strong adhesive or very fine pins sold for the purpose. Any way that works is acceptable really – even double-sided sticky tape will do. (The man who works in the hobby shop, who looks like Roger Whittaker and smells of tobacco and peppermints, will almost certainly have a strong opinion on the best way to secure track to baseboard, so ask him.)
At the end of all this, you should have a fully laid model railway track.
It’s also worth considering what sort of gauge will serve your network best. The most popular model railway gauge is 00, but it’s a bit small for transporting anything larger than peanuts and olives. A better bet is 0-gauge (twice as big, i.e. eight times the volume as far as a coal truck is concerned), and
G-scale. The one we used for our Man Lab was 0-gauge. G-scale is for large models of narrow-gauge trains, and is useful for railways that run outdoors, or carry larger loads. Germany’s LGB is the main maker. It’s a very versatile system and the wagons are nice and big.
Controlling your network is another topic that could fill an entire book, and does in some specialist shops. The controlling mechanisms of model railways are part of the joy of having them, as they can be endlessly fiddled with and modified by the railway’s owner. Many different systems exist, but they all do pretty much the same basic things. For our purposes, however, we simply need a control which will start the train, indicate when it’s been loaded, and then bring it to us. The man in the hobby shop will doubtless have some ideas where this is concerned, too, but in order to get the maximum from your own Man Lab railway, you might want to consider installing a modern version of what, in the glorious early days of rail, was known as a Bell Signalling system.
You will need: a “master box”, at your engine’s main depot (probably the kitchen, let’s be honest). This is basically a signal with numbers that light up on it, corresponding to stops along the track; bell-pushes that activate the lights on the master box and inform the main depot which part of the network is summoning. A bell should also sound with a loud bong when they are activated. Every stop on the line gets a bell-push.
Once you’ve decided which stations are which, and which numbers will represent them, you need to devise instructions, and print and distribute them to each stop on your network, in the form of a handy stationmaster’s card. Which should look something like this:
STATION / STOP NUMBER
Kitchen 1
Bog 2
Office 3
Workshop 4
Seating area 5
BONGS / ACTION
One bong: Send train/continue
Two bongs: Reverse train
Bong when running: Stop.
That way, the person controlling the train in the kitchen knows when to stop the train, and the person in the place the train is going to knows to bong once to get the train to stop. What’s more, they know to bong twice to get the train to reverse, now carrying their Post-it note request for a bag of peanuts, or whatever.
And there it is. You have rigged out your manspace with its own bespoke railway system. And, unlike most of the rail networks of the British Isles, it will provide enjoyment and pleasure whenever you use it.
Man Lab by James May is published by Hodder & Stoughton at £20. To order for £18 plus £1.25pp call Telegraph Books Direct on 0844 871 1515 or visit www.books.telegraph.co.uk.
Monday, October 31, 2011
James May exclusive book extract
From The Telegraph: James May exclusive book extract
Attention Toy Train & Scale Model Railroad Enthusiasts!
Reminder - coming November 3:
From the Sacramento Press: Attention Toy Train & Scale Model Railroad Enthusiasts!
To the delight of rail enthusiasts of all ages, the California State Railroad Museum will debut a new exhibit titled “Common Diversions: Toy Trains and Scale Model Railroads” on November 3, 2011. While the items on special display will all be miniature in size, the goal of the exhibit is to clearly distinguish the big differences between scale models and toy trains, both of which have unique characteristics and avid collectors.
In addition to the Railroad Museum’s popular “Small Wonders: The Magic of Toy Trains” exhibit and in contrast to the impressive collection of 21 full-size meticulously restored locomotives and cars on display throughout the Museum, visitors will soon have a unique opportunity to learn more about the decidedly smaller end of the spectrum. As guests will learn, the difference between model trains and toy trains has to do with scale.
“Model trains are built to scale with a specific size relationship between the model and its real life prototype,” explained the late Thomas W. Sefton in a descriptive publication titled Sefton American Collections. “Toy trains, in contrast, are not made to scale. They are crafted with color and imagination rather than an attempt at perfect realism.” (Mr. Sefton collected more than 7,000 toy trains during his lifetime; many are displayed at the Museum today in the “Small Wonders” exhibit.)
Toy trains are miniature versions of their bigger counterparts that were designed as toys for children. Today, many participants in this hobby are interested in building layouts or collecting treasured playthings. One popular line of accessories, “Plasticville,” is a line of snap-together toys introduced the late 1940s and both an early village scene and a rural scene -- complete with cars, people and animals -- will be on display as part of the exhibit. Conversely, model railroad enthusiasts tend to be keenly focused on the accuracy of virtually all details of their models. Visitors will see and appreciate a selection of brass scale model locomotives and cars, showcased on mirrored pedestals that accentuate their jewel-like qualities and intricate details.
“Common Diversions: Toy Trains and Scale Model Railroads” will remain on special display in the Museum’s Lobby Gallery through September 14, 2012. For more information about “Common Diversions,” visit www.californiastaterailroadmuseum.org or call (916) 445-6645.
From the Sacramento Press: Attention Toy Train & Scale Model Railroad Enthusiasts!
To the delight of rail enthusiasts of all ages, the California State Railroad Museum will debut a new exhibit titled “Common Diversions: Toy Trains and Scale Model Railroads” on November 3, 2011. While the items on special display will all be miniature in size, the goal of the exhibit is to clearly distinguish the big differences between scale models and toy trains, both of which have unique characteristics and avid collectors.
In addition to the Railroad Museum’s popular “Small Wonders: The Magic of Toy Trains” exhibit and in contrast to the impressive collection of 21 full-size meticulously restored locomotives and cars on display throughout the Museum, visitors will soon have a unique opportunity to learn more about the decidedly smaller end of the spectrum. As guests will learn, the difference between model trains and toy trains has to do with scale.
“Model trains are built to scale with a specific size relationship between the model and its real life prototype,” explained the late Thomas W. Sefton in a descriptive publication titled Sefton American Collections. “Toy trains, in contrast, are not made to scale. They are crafted with color and imagination rather than an attempt at perfect realism.” (Mr. Sefton collected more than 7,000 toy trains during his lifetime; many are displayed at the Museum today in the “Small Wonders” exhibit.)
Toy trains are miniature versions of their bigger counterparts that were designed as toys for children. Today, many participants in this hobby are interested in building layouts or collecting treasured playthings. One popular line of accessories, “Plasticville,” is a line of snap-together toys introduced the late 1940s and both an early village scene and a rural scene -- complete with cars, people and animals -- will be on display as part of the exhibit. Conversely, model railroad enthusiasts tend to be keenly focused on the accuracy of virtually all details of their models. Visitors will see and appreciate a selection of brass scale model locomotives and cars, showcased on mirrored pedestals that accentuate their jewel-like qualities and intricate details.
“Common Diversions: Toy Trains and Scale Model Railroads” will remain on special display in the Museum’s Lobby Gallery through September 14, 2012. For more information about “Common Diversions,” visit www.californiastaterailroadmuseum.org or call (916) 445-6645.
Wilmington, NC: All aboard the model train extravaganza
So okay, you've missed it, it was *this* weekend. Again, it's on the calendar and I'll let you know in good time next year.
From WWAYTV.com: All aboard the model train extravaganza
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) -- Train modelers of all ages are all aboard the Model Railroad Extravaganza this weekend at the Wilmington Railroad Museum.
Organizers geared this year's event more toward kids in an effort to keep the love for model trains alive for future generations. Little ones and teens can participate in challenges around the model tracks to earn an engineer certificate. Model experts are on site to answer any questions from beginners and advanced builders.
"It challenges you to use a lot of different skills,” model railroader and event organizer Stuart Chinnery said. “You need to be a little bit of an engineer. You need to be a little bit of an artist. You need to be a little bit of a free-thinker in how you can create in miniature something that existed in the past."
The centerpiece of the extravaganza is a four-city replica detailing old Wilmington and other railroad cities across the Carolinas.
The event runs from 10a.m. to 4p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
From WWAYTV.com: All aboard the model train extravaganza
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) -- Train modelers of all ages are all aboard the Model Railroad Extravaganza this weekend at the Wilmington Railroad Museum.
Organizers geared this year's event more toward kids in an effort to keep the love for model trains alive for future generations. Little ones and teens can participate in challenges around the model tracks to earn an engineer certificate. Model experts are on site to answer any questions from beginners and advanced builders.
"It challenges you to use a lot of different skills,” model railroader and event organizer Stuart Chinnery said. “You need to be a little bit of an engineer. You need to be a little bit of an artist. You need to be a little bit of a free-thinker in how you can create in miniature something that existed in the past."
The centerpiece of the extravaganza is a four-city replica detailing old Wilmington and other railroad cities across the Carolinas.
The event runs from 10a.m. to 4p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Model train exhibit closes at Shore Mall in Egg Harbor Township
From the Press of Atlantic City: Model train exhibit closes at Shore Mall in Egg Harbor Township
EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP — The Shore Mall’s model train exhibit has reached its final stop.
The South Jersey Garden Railway Society and Atlantic Shore Model Railroad Clubs hosted a free model train display at the Shore Mall twice a week for the past six years, but it’s final day was Saturday. The organizations said more than 116,000 people visited the display, SJGRS member Wayne Richter said.
Click here for more information on the society
“We had a really good run,” he said. “We want to thank all the people for coming out.”
The mall allowed the groups to use a 6,000-square-foot space in the back rent free for the past six years, but the mall has a new tenant for the location, which meant the trains had to be moved, he said.
“We appreciate the mall letting us be here,” he said. “We understand this happens. There are no bad guys in this.”
The Egg Harbor Township resident said the display had 34 individual exhibits all featuring trains in “a different slice of Americana,” Richter said. One display featured the Atlantic City Boardwalk. Another one featured a bridge with “hobos” underneath, he said. Others used historic houses as a backdrop or just simple generic small towns, he said.
“Everyone loves trains in one shape or form,” he said. “It’s an important part of American life. It’s a good hobby.”
SJGRS member Anita Brown said the group’s members made a lot of friends with people who frequented the exhibits. The individual club members will store their displays at their homes until the organizations find a new location, she said.
“We’ll miss everyone,” the Absecon resident said.
The children said goodbye by making birthday cards for Thomas the Tank Engine, which were placed on the wall. One of the exhibit’s most popular stations was a Thomas train that the kids could operate on their own.
“The kids were so excited that we were here,” Richter said. “That’s part of why this is so sad.”
Upper Township resident Dave Neff came to the display with his son Luke, 9, and daughter Julia, 5. The kids got one last chance to learn how to operate the trains and take in the exhibit Saturday afternoon.
“It’s pretty cool, I like it,” Luke said. “I know how they work now.”
Dave Neff said he wasn’t aware of the display before Saturday but was sad to see it go.
“It’s disappointing,” he said. “People need to show today’s youth about this important part of their history.”
If You Go
The South Jersey Garden Railway Society will display its exhibit at the Ocean City Music Pier on 801 Boardwalk from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 3 and Dec. 4.
EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP — The Shore Mall’s model train exhibit has reached its final stop.
The South Jersey Garden Railway Society and Atlantic Shore Model Railroad Clubs hosted a free model train display at the Shore Mall twice a week for the past six years, but it’s final day was Saturday. The organizations said more than 116,000 people visited the display, SJGRS member Wayne Richter said.
Click here for more information on the society
“We had a really good run,” he said. “We want to thank all the people for coming out.”
The mall allowed the groups to use a 6,000-square-foot space in the back rent free for the past six years, but the mall has a new tenant for the location, which meant the trains had to be moved, he said.
“We appreciate the mall letting us be here,” he said. “We understand this happens. There are no bad guys in this.”
The Egg Harbor Township resident said the display had 34 individual exhibits all featuring trains in “a different slice of Americana,” Richter said. One display featured the Atlantic City Boardwalk. Another one featured a bridge with “hobos” underneath, he said. Others used historic houses as a backdrop or just simple generic small towns, he said.
“Everyone loves trains in one shape or form,” he said. “It’s an important part of American life. It’s a good hobby.”
SJGRS member Anita Brown said the group’s members made a lot of friends with people who frequented the exhibits. The individual club members will store their displays at their homes until the organizations find a new location, she said.
“We’ll miss everyone,” the Absecon resident said.
The children said goodbye by making birthday cards for Thomas the Tank Engine, which were placed on the wall. One of the exhibit’s most popular stations was a Thomas train that the kids could operate on their own.
“The kids were so excited that we were here,” Richter said. “That’s part of why this is so sad.”
Upper Township resident Dave Neff came to the display with his son Luke, 9, and daughter Julia, 5. The kids got one last chance to learn how to operate the trains and take in the exhibit Saturday afternoon.
“It’s pretty cool, I like it,” Luke said. “I know how they work now.”
Dave Neff said he wasn’t aware of the display before Saturday but was sad to see it go.
“It’s disappointing,” he said. “People need to show today’s youth about this important part of their history.”
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Florida: All aboard! at Trackside Trains
From Nashoba Publishing: All aboard! at Trackside Trains
HIRLEY -- Peter Carbone has always been fascinated with trains and he and wife Pam now have a shop that holds many of the trains and related goodies they sell at the train shows in which they have a booth.
Since retiring and moving to Florida, trains have become a big part of their lives. They are an even bigger part of their life now that he and Pam have moved back to this area to be near their family of four grown children and six grandchildren.
Their shop in front of Shirley's train tracks is stuffed with all types and sizes of model trains, tracks, related accessories and even the magazines that those who collect trains read from cover to cover.
While Peter holds court at the train shows each season, Pam has shifted her efforts to searching yard and estate sales and Craigslist for trains, train components and anything else related to their favorite pastime.
"I really enjoy meeting people of every age at the shows," Peter Carbone said. "People usually recognize our booth because I wrap the trim around my display boxes with a neon orange duct tape that is visual from a quarter-mile away." (It is.) "I especially remember one 5-year-old boy who stopped at my booth and whose knowledge of trains was far greater than mine. While he rattled off all kinds of facts and figures about trains and what he likes and collected his parents stood nearby listening to every word while their faces were all smiles. I didn't know what to say to that young man, all I could do was listen with sheer pleasure."
He continues, "I think that is just a small example of the passion that collectors, no matter their age, have for trains. When kids come in the shop or come to our booth, their eyes light up and that tickles me!"
Collecting model trains has been a hobby for children and adults since the 1920s when department stores incorporated working trains in their store and window displays. Train models were first made of tinplate, then brass, then various metals. Toy train manufactures include Lionel, American Flyer, Marx, and Marklin.
Until the Model Railroad Association was formed in 1935, there were no set standards for track or train sizes, but once the Association was formed they created standard gauges, which are still in use today.
Collecting and selling all kinds of model trains has become a million-dollar business around the world and almost every week a show of trains and train collectiibles is taking place somewhere in the U.S.
Train aficionados are passionate and knowledgeable about what they do and what they collect. Often they spend years working on the setup and design of their train sets and the villages and scenery that surrounds it. There are clinics, classes, seminars, and magazines with step-by step instructions on how to craft, create and set-up intricate displays.
On the Antiques Road Show on PBS two memorable train sets have been highlighted and appraised. In 2008, specialist Noel Barrett appraised a Beggs Steam Train, circa 1885 for a value of between $5,000 to $7,000. In 2007, Leila Dunbar appraised a 1935 Lionel Blue Comet train set at between $8,000-$10,000.
Trackside Trains, 12 Ayer Road, Shirley, 978-503-2429, is open Wednesday through Friday from noon-6 p.m., and Saturday,10 a.m.-6 p.m. A website is coming soon. Carbone and his trains will be at the Nov. 6 show in Brockton at the Temple Beth Emunah Brotherhood at 479 Tory St., from 10- a.m. 4 p.m.
Seasons Four in Lexington has a complete Lionel "holiday" train already setup for viewing; complete with winter scene vignettes. Adults and kids line-up and watch the speedy ride, www.seasons-four.com, 781-861-1200.
HIRLEY -- Peter Carbone has always been fascinated with trains and he and wife Pam now have a shop that holds many of the trains and related goodies they sell at the train shows in which they have a booth.
Since retiring and moving to Florida, trains have become a big part of their lives. They are an even bigger part of their life now that he and Pam have moved back to this area to be near their family of four grown children and six grandchildren.
Their shop in front of Shirley's train tracks is stuffed with all types and sizes of model trains, tracks, related accessories and even the magazines that those who collect trains read from cover to cover.
While Peter holds court at the train shows each season, Pam has shifted her efforts to searching yard and estate sales and Craigslist for trains, train components and anything else related to their favorite pastime.
"I really enjoy meeting people of every age at the shows," Peter Carbone said. "People usually recognize our booth because I wrap the trim around my display boxes with a neon orange duct tape that is visual from a quarter-mile away." (It is.) "I especially remember one 5-year-old boy who stopped at my booth and whose knowledge of trains was far greater than mine. While he rattled off all kinds of facts and figures about trains and what he likes and collected his parents stood nearby listening to every word while their faces were all smiles. I didn't know what to say to that young man, all I could do was listen with sheer pleasure."
He continues, "I think that is just a small example of the passion that collectors, no matter their age, have for trains. When kids come in the shop or come to our booth, their eyes light up and that tickles me!"
Collecting model trains has been a hobby for children and adults since the 1920s when department stores incorporated working trains in their store and window displays. Train models were first made of tinplate, then brass, then various metals. Toy train manufactures include Lionel, American Flyer, Marx, and Marklin.
Until the Model Railroad Association was formed in 1935, there were no set standards for track or train sizes, but once the Association was formed they created standard gauges, which are still in use today.
Collecting and selling all kinds of model trains has become a million-dollar business around the world and almost every week a show of trains and train collectiibles is taking place somewhere in the U.S.
Train aficionados are passionate and knowledgeable about what they do and what they collect. Often they spend years working on the setup and design of their train sets and the villages and scenery that surrounds it. There are clinics, classes, seminars, and magazines with step-by step instructions on how to craft, create and set-up intricate displays.
On the Antiques Road Show on PBS two memorable train sets have been highlighted and appraised. In 2008, specialist Noel Barrett appraised a Beggs Steam Train, circa 1885 for a value of between $5,000 to $7,000. In 2007, Leila Dunbar appraised a 1935 Lionel Blue Comet train set at between $8,000-$10,000.
Trackside Trains, 12 Ayer Road, Shirley, 978-503-2429, is open Wednesday through Friday from noon-6 p.m., and Saturday,10 a.m.-6 p.m. A website is coming soon. Carbone and his trains will be at the Nov. 6 show in Brockton at the Temple Beth Emunah Brotherhood at 479 Tory St., from 10- a.m. 4 p.m.
Seasons Four in Lexington has a complete Lionel "holiday" train already setup for viewing; complete with winter scene vignettes. Adults and kids line-up and watch the speedy ride, www.seasons-four.com, 781-861-1200.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Old Sacramento, CA: Attention Toy Train & Scale Model Railroad Enthusiasts!
From Sacramento Press: Attention Toy Train & Scale Model Railroad Enthusiasts!
To the delight of rail enthusiasts of all ages, the California State Railroad Museum will debut a new exhibit titled “Common Diversions: Toy Trains and Scale Model Railroads” on November 3, 2011. While the items on special display will all be miniature in size, the goal of the exhibit is to clearly distinguish the big differences between scale models and toy trains, both of which have unique characteristics and avid collectors.
In addition to the Railroad Museum’s popular “Small Wonders: The Magic of Toy Trains” exhibit and in contrast to the impressive collection of 21 full-size meticulously restored locomotives and cars on display throughout the Museum, visitors will soon have a unique opportunity to learn more about the decidedly smaller end of the spectrum. As guests will learn, the difference between model trains and toy trains has to do with scale.
“Model trains are built to scale with a specific size relationship between the model and its real life prototype,” explained the late Thomas W. Sefton in a descriptive publication titled Sefton American Collections. “Toy trains, in contrast, are not made to scale. They are crafted with color and imagination rather than an attempt at perfect realism.” (Mr. Sefton collected more than 7,000 toy trains during his lifetime; many are displayed at the Museum today in the “Small Wonders” exhibit.)
Toy trains are miniature versions of their bigger counterparts that were designed as toys for children. Today, many participants in this hobby are interested in building layouts or collecting treasured playthings. One popular line of accessories, “Plasticville,” is a line of snap-together toys introduced the late 1940s and both an early village scene and a rural scene -- complete with cars, people and animals -- will be on display as part of the exhibit. Conversely, model railroad enthusiasts tend to be keenly focused on the accuracy of virtually all details of their models. Visitors will see and appreciate a selection of brass scale model locomotives and cars, showcased on mirrored pedestals that accentuate their jewel-like qualities and intricate details.
“Common Diversions: Toy Trains and Scale Model Railroads” will remain on special display in the Museum’s Lobby Gallery through September 14, 2012. For more information about “Common Diversions,” visit www.californiastaterailroadmuseum.org or call (916) 445-6645.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
York, UK: Miniature train event at National Railway Museum
From The York Press: Miniature train event at National Railway Museum
22 - 30 October, 2011
http://www.nrm.org.uk/
MODEL railway fans of all ages are being welcomed to the National Railway Museum in York this half-term for a celebration of toy and miniature trains.
The nine-day event will be opened today by the NRM’s director of fun, six-year-old Sam Pointon, and promises to bring together the biggest names in the world of toy and model railways.
Zoe Roberts, public programmes developer at the museum, said: “Following Sam’s suggestion that we give children more opportunities to get ‘hands on’ with model railway sets, we decided to run a model railway weekend at the museum last year.
“This was such a success that we thought we’d make it even bigger and better this October half-term, and run it for nine whole days.”
After experiencing the vast array of model and toy locomotives around the museum in Leeman Road, Zoe said children could get hands on and make a model of their own to take home.
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