12/08/2011

The wonderful world of toy and model trains will be the centre of attention at a nine day event at the National Railway Museum this October Half Term (22-30 October), when visitors will be invited to have big fun with little trains. But in our society of X-boxes, Playstations and other modern technology, what is it about this hobby that continues to attract such a large following?

Model trains have been around as long as their larger relations have been servicing our railway systems. The earliest types of models were used as promotional tools for railways, particularly useful in a time before TV's to show those who hadn't seen railways and locomotives, what they were. They were soon followed by pull along toys made of wood or metal with very limited detail and scaling, designed to capture the imaginations of young children. By the Victorian era, it was considered highly exclusive and regarded as a symbol of wealth for adults, specifically gentlemen, to own a model railway due to the high expense associated with the hobby.

A notable example was slate quarry owner Thomas Assheton-Smith II best known for his building of the Dinorwic Quarry Railway between 1834 and 1848. He designed a railway system at his houses at London, Tedworth and Faenol, which worked on gravity to take dishes to and from the kitchens to the dining room.

A key date in the development of the industry came in 1891 with the launch of Marklin who produced the first series of standard track gauges, enabling children to create their very own layout which could be extended and enhanced with a whole range of accessories. This defining event gave way to the industry as we know it today.

Many other manufacturers followed suit, but as railways began to lose their status as the main transportation mode, giving way to automobiles and air travel, so too did the appeal of this hobby to children.

Surviving manufacturers focused their efforts on the adult market and soon began crafting more detailed and accurate models for these collectors and modellers. Nowadays, many of the children who shunned their childhood toys for the latest car or aeroplane model, are returning to this nostalgic hobby as grown ups. There are more opportunities available than ever before to create realistic scenes.
Not only are model railways a popular hobby, but they are also the theme of many attractions throughout the world including Bekonscot Model Railway near London which is the world's oldest original model village and Miniature Wunderland in Hamburg, which is the world's largest model railway. The National Railway Museum also houses a Guinness World Record holder; the world's largest collection of model railway vehicles made by one person. The J P Richards collection, which is on display in the Warehouse, consists of 610 London and North Western Railway models made to scale, a major legacy left by a man who spent the majority of his life crafting these intricately produced miniatures.
The collection in York, also boasts an array of model rail gems such as an OOO scale layout from 1958 that is so small it was transported inside a banjo case.

Of course, models aren't always purely for child's play and the hobby market; they have also served the purpose of being used as miniature prototypes for the real thing. A number of these prototypes can be found in the Warehouse at the National Railway Museum, including Jack Ramsbottom's prototype of the water scoop invented in 1860. This revolutionised rail travel by allowing water for the locomotive to be picked up whilst moving instead of having to stop at water towers. Longer journeys were now possible, and this eventually led to the famous non-stop runs such as the ‘Flying Scotsman' service.
As well as prototypes, model railways were also used for other purposes. Before computer systems and other high tech systems we may rely on today, model layouts were employed as tools to manage the logistics of railway operations. One primary example of this is the Lancashire & Yorkshire Signalling School layout that dates back to 1912 and was used for the purpose of training staff in signalling and safety. The model is still used today and will be on display during the tot and model train event at the National Railway Museum this October Half Term.

Visitors of all ages will be enthralled by the range of little locos from children's pedal trains, to rides on indoor and outdoor miniature railways* that the whole family can enjoy. The event will bring together the biggest names in toy and model trains with hands-on workshops and play sessions hosted by Chuggington, Meccano, Big Jigs and Tomica and dynamic displays from Bachmann, the Gauge 1 society and event sponsor, Hornby.

To add to the list of famous names at the event, the author of Peter's Railway Books, Chris Vine, will be making a special appearance at the Museum. Chris has a great interest in model engineering and will be bringing in his 5 inch gauge train and talking to Museum visitors about modelling and his famous children's books.

For more information about the event visit www.nrm.org.uk/halfterm.
*A small charge applies.
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