Electric Train Sets

[Furtherman]

http://static.hornby.com/images/width1000/hornby-frontpage-5.jpg

Waiting in line for the train this morning I was lucky enough to be standing in front of a electric train setup and I found myself grinning like an idiot watching these trains go around a little town, through tunnels and over bridges.

Brought back a lot of memories. My Dad still has real old electric trains from the 50's that smoke and have a whistle you can blow. I remember a few friend's dads who would build giant towns in their basements and going to see ginormous sets in warehouses set up for the holidays by model train stores.

I think I'll get a small one for the apartment next Christmas. Does anyone still enjoy the model train experience? And is it just a guy thing? It's the weirdest thing... just one of those things I instantly liked as a kid, but had no real reference to justify it. I don't know - ladies? Did you have the same kind of memories?

http://www.gatewaynmra.org/layouts/taschner02.jpg

[BoondockSaint]

My brother's father-in-law is really into model trains. His whole attic is filled with an amazing system he set up. He built everything there and it is beautiful. Every time I see it I get an itch to really get into the hobby but then I realize that I have no artistic ability and I forget about it.

[hurlmon]

I've got boxes of Lionel O Guage trains from when I was a kid. My son, he's 4, is a junkie for anything relating to trains. I just recently made a set up for him in our basement on a 4 x 8 sheet of plywood. I think I sometimes have more fun using them than him. Right now he can't control them as he makes it go too fast but he loves controling the switches and what tracks the train will go on.

I also set one up under the Christmas tree for him. That one he can control since the transformer isn't as large so the train only goes so fast.

Most of what I have is from the late 50's and 60's, (some older than me). Pretty awesome stuff.

[Furtherman]

Behold....

Miniatur Wunderland!

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This is simply unbelievable. The Miniatur Wunderland model railroad in Hamburg, Germany is the largest in the world, covering 16,146 square feet of space with more than 10,000 train cars running around its 6.8 miles of HO scale track. Now, the makers of this huge layout have created a video that gives you a jaw-dropping look at the vast scope of this intricate work of art.

Its construction started in 2000, and is still underway, with a tiny airport due for completion by the end of this year. This is just the beginning — there are plans to double to layout by 2014. We especially like the Las Vegas portion, complete with dazzling LEDs lighting up the night.

You have to watch the new video above to get the full impact of this remarkable achievement, which has taken in excess of 500,000 working hours to build. There's good reason why this is Germany's most popular attraction, already visited by more than 5 million flabbergasted tourists.


Just wait until you see all the little details towards the end of the video! Watch the whole thing, almost 5 minutes - it's worth it!

[Whiskeyportal]

Wow, that's friggin' sweet!

[topless_mike]

my father just unloaded about $6k of Lionel trains. I have some HO scale that we tried to hook up for christmas time, but didnt work out. maybe i'll take some time to get them going again. my son loved it, when it worked. probably just needs a good oiling and the tracks werent sending current all the way around.

[WampusCrandle]

my dad and i had built an entire town over the span of 3 years. we had so much fun doing so ... we had this one train that would smoke when you placed tablets inside the chimney. i loved playing with those damn trains.

[PD]

I live near the train store that was in the Sopranos- nice setup.
I don't think it holds the fascination for kids though now.

[EddieMoscone]

The thing I remember most about electric train sets are the smell present when they are running. Kind of the steel on steel heat, plus the electric motors.

Weird.

[~Katja~]

I was fascinated by them... my grandpa had a real old set in some big old suitcase from war... my uncle took it and added on and set it up at his house...

I am hoping my son gets more into them, he got a big ol' plastic trainset to get into the whole thing as he is too young... but when he is older I hope he will love them as much as I did as a kid

[ANC]

My dad still has old Lionel Trains from when he was a kid.. I have a picture (from 1910) somewhere of my great grandfather's storefront window. He was a carpenter and for Christmas would set up the trains in the front window as a tremendous town with mountains and all sorts of detailed stuff.

[Mullenax]

My Mom had one from her childhood called Plasticland. The houses came as four flat interlocking sides, then a roof piece held it together so it wouldn't fold shut.
This one is similar, but not as retro-feeling:

<img src="http://thederringdos.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/plasticville.jpg">

[JerseyRich]

I might go to this place this weekend...anyone else interested in comin along? (http://www.northlandz.com/gallery.html)

[~Katja~]

I might go to this place this weekend...anyone else interested in comin along? (http://www.northlandz.com/gallery.html)

they may keep you there
http://www.northlandz.com/pix/train5-sm.jpg

will you be wearing your overalls too?

I have driven by that place a few times... there is another in Easton off 33... Trains and Lanes... but they have no website I think... might be more of a store too, never went there, just heard about it

[ToiletCrusher]

I have a Lionel HO scale train set. Haven't used it in years. Its been in my family for around 60+ years.