It was every boy’s dream - and for more than a few girls too - to find a model train set under the tree at Christmas time. While iPods, XBoxes, Play Stations and the like have stolen the limelight somewhat these days, model railways and models generally still manage to create a sense of excitement and wonder among youngsters. Model trains especially, making their way through grand landscapes or quaint model townships, chugging and  tooting as they go, captivate adults just as much as the young ones.

While models can be miniature replicas of any era including the present, or even an imagined fantasy realm as in the case of Lord of the Rings or War Hammer miniatures, it is still the steam engines of bygone eras and the crafted landscapes that they would have travelled through which seem to have the most appeal. The fascination with a world in miniature starts in childhood and often continues into adulthood.

The first model railways originated around the 1840s and were called carpet railways. These were basically a working boiler mounted on wheels and they were quite popular. They didn’t run on a track but were simply run on the floor - hence the name. They also earned the unfortunate nickname of “Birmingham Dribblers” as they would often leave a trail of water behind them on the floor. They would have been banned today as they caused numerous fires when they hit furniture, tipped over and the burning fuel spilled on to the floor!

Models progressed through being wind-ups, electric (battery operated, then electrified track and controllers), to the latest - digital - which have only just appeared on the scene in the last couple of years. There aren’t many digital sets available yet but retailers expect that they will be the norm in the next four to five years.

While non-digital sets like the current “Flying Scotsman” cost around $350.00, the digital sets will start around $400 and go up to about $900. It will be possible to get existing engines “chipped” for about $40 although a digital controller will cost anything from $250 - $500.

At present, individual non-digital engines cost $130 - $300, with wagons and carriages from around $60.

There are also some recent models that are fully operating live steam engines. These are more likely to be seen on bigger outdoor gauges but enthusiasts can get live steam locomotives from Hornby Railways in 00 gauge with hand-made examples as small as Z gauge.

Scales and Gauges

The scale describes how big the engine is in relation to the full-size engine and the gauge is the distance between the two rails that the model runs on.

The scales range from 1:8 (an eighth of the size of a full-size locomotive) down to 1:220 (matchbox size).

The gauges range from G gauge, which will carry a 1:24 scale engine, down to Z gauge, which will carry a 1:220 scale engine.

Although model trains were originally made in the United Kingdom, the scales of engines and gauges of line were slightly different when they started to be manufactured in the United States.

The most common scale is 1:76 which uses 00 (UK) gauge track or 1:87 which uses HO (US) gauge track. While the track sizes are slightly different both UK and US-made trains will run on either 00 or HO track.

There may be a difference in the coupling system for attaching engines to carriages between manufacturers but if you want to hook up a UK-made engine with a US-made carriage or vice versa you can buy attachments, which will solve this problem.

Some Seriously Famous Locomotives

The locomotives, their carriages and wagons are usually small-scale replicas of actual trains that were in service with the different rail companies of a particular era. Some of these real trains such as the “Flying Scotsman” and the “Orient Express” were quite famous in their day. For the beginner, it works out more cost effective to buy a set, rather than the individual pieces. You can always add more rail and points, crossings or bridges as time goes by, if your or your child’s enthusiasm increases. A set pack may be all that you ever need if interest wanes.

There is also an enormous number of different locomotives of all shapes and sizes, with numerous carriages and wagons for them to pull. Hornby Railways is the most popular British manufacturer specialising in locomotives that worked in the British Rail system.

The popular Thomas the Tank Engine locomotives were modelled on these UK trains and Hornby produces this series of trains as high quality working miniatures with all the favourites from Thomas to Toby, and all the other characters, along with the Hogwarts Express locomotive from the Harry Potter series.

There are many locomotive manufacturers in the USA (Athearn is one of the most popular) specialising in the type of locomotives used in the states - like the ones seen in “wild west” movies.

Part of the fun with these models is the extras that you can buy to make the scene look more authentic. There are stations and platforms, water towers, tunnels, bridges, turntables, train halls, houses, trees - you name it and they're available. If you don’t want to mess about making your own contoured landscape with built-in tunnels, you can buy one of those too!

While youngsters would certainly love to get their hands on them, under threes should only watch electric model trains rather than play with or operate them. Between three and five years they can help change direction and make tunnels with their legs but it is not recommended that they actually start operating models until they are over five, and then only with supervision until they are eight. This is mainly so that they don't start playing with the power sockets while you're not watching.  These models are not toys, and are not made to take a real hammering from overly exuberant kids. They are also relatively expensive and, really, just too lovely to get wrecked.

There are many hobby/model shops selling all sorts of models. One of the better shops specialising in trains and co-owned by a rather famous enthusiast is none other than Merv Smith Hobbies in Newmarket - for men and women and lucky children. www.mervsmithhobbies.co.nz

This little gem of a place not only has model railways but also an enormous number of other models including some wonderful sailing ships, planes and boats galore. It even has operating an old model ferry going back and forth across the lake between model buildings of the Auckland Ferry Building and Devonport Wharf.

Another delight is the model of the Auckland War Memorial Museum. And if that were not enough, they also run train rides and have a wonderful collection of classic cars - the genuine articles, not models.

Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday, statutory holidays and school holidays. Ph 09 416 9282 www.montereypark.co.nz
Model train rides are another treat for children, and up and down the country there are plenty to choose from.

-The Auckland Society of Model Engineers runs a great track for rides every Sunday at the Peterson Road Reserve, Panmure.

-The Manukau Live Steamers also run rides every Sunday at Robertson Rd, Mangere.

For more information on these and others see;
www.ameng.com.au, www.r2.co.nz, and www.trains.wellington.net.nz.  

The Waitakere Tram Line is one definitely worth looking at. Built in the 1900s for the construction of the Waitakere Dam, this two-foot gauge, 2.5km tramline is a working piece of Auckland history. It travels through beautiful native bush, a couple of tunnels, and at the far end of the track you can even walk up the steps on to the dam.

You’ll need to book ahead with this one as you can't just turn up on the day. Bookings are by phone ONLY. Ph 09 818 4946 www.waitakeretramline.org.nz