Well, the holidays are upon us – time to start thinking about gifts. This year, consider a train set. It is perfect for young children or older folks needing a hobby. Imagine getting a set that operated near your spouse’s hometown. Imagine their face as they recall sitting at a crossing gate counting the box cars go by. Imagine their joy as their parents sit at the crossing mumbling that they are going to be late again.
Train sets come in a variety of sizes. You have N-scale where one box car is 4 inches long and 2 inches tall. A whole N-scale town can be set up on a book shelf.
Next is the most popular HO scale. HO stands for half O scale. These layouts usually reside on a 4×8 table top. A single HO box car is 5 inches long and 2 inches tall. Next is my personal favourite, O- scale. These cars are 10 inches long and 4 inches wide. They are easy to handle but do take up space.
For the more adventurous, there is G scale. G stands for garden, as the tracks are so big they get set up outside, usually in a garden. And not to worry for children as there a bunch of inexpensive starter sets. There are even theme sets like the Harry Potter Hogwarts Express to fast moving bullet trains. Electric starter sets begin around US $50. But for the small children, there are even battery operated sets.
It really does not matter what size set you get as most model railroads seem to expand almost by themselves. Best of all, you will never run out of gift ideas as new trains, buildings and scenery keep coming out.
Hope you have a happy holiday!
Until next time, hope to see you around the tracks.
