Figure 1.--Leo Kraft was a photographer active in the 1910s and 20s. Here we see a boy with a wonderful toy train, actually a trolly. It even had a wooden track. The boy is probably Kraft's son. His play suit is a little unusual The collar looks like it might be a "V" front sailor collar, but it seems to be only a "V"-front collasr. The outfit had button-on trousers. It has an unusual design wehich we haven't seen before. Long stockings were common at the time. The boy looks to be about 6-7 years old.

There are two types trains enjoyed by boys. Here the interest was alkmot entirely boys. The first type and the first to appear toys is toy trains. We believe they were first made in Germany. These were toys boys could pull or push. These train toys appeared in maby different versions and sizes. And of course they followed developments in the railroad industry, especially new types of locomotives. And Thomas the Tank Engline has helped keep toy trans popular with younger children even in our modern age. The second type is model trains. By this we mean actual working trains that had various forms of propullsion. (There are also model kits, but that we include in the general model category.) Model trains were were actual scale replica of trains. Some model railoroaders might even object to the term toys. Boys began wanting very realistic models. The scales for model trains varied. Over time for reasons we do not fully understand, the most popular scale ratio became 1:87 or 1/87th. Manufactures devised ways of making the model trains self propelled. At first this was wind up toys, but with the inventin of commercial applications for electricity we begin to see elcetric-powered model trains. At first they were powered by batteries, but as electricity began reaching homes, model trains powered by first DC and ten AC current appeaed. Gradually model trains became much more than toys as dads got interested in model railroading.

Toy Trains

The first type and the first to appear toys is toy trains. Some toy trains nay not look much like real trains. We believe they were first made in Germany. These were toys boys could pull or push. These train toys appeared in maby different versions and sizes. And of course they followed developments in the railroad industry, especially new types of locomotives. And Thomas the Tank Engline has helped keep toy trans popular with younger children even in our modern age.

Model Railroads

The second type is model trains. Model trains in contrast to toy trains look very much like real trains, hence the name. In fact, some are even ect copies, including nurs and bolts. By this we mean actual working trains. Of course most are scale models. meaning coies scakd dowen to smller scale of the originl train. These are not exct copies, but meant to be as cloe sfeaubke. And of course tyhis llows the models to be broughtb into the home where boys bd hir fathers could enjoy them. Model trains were were actual scale replica of trains. Some model railoroaders might even object to the term tous. Boys began wanting very realistic models. The scales for model trains varied. Over time for reasons we do not fully understand, the most popular scale ratio became 1:87 or 1/87th. And to make them really interestung that had various forms of propullsion. (There are also model kits, but these were not all that popular. Here model airplanese were the big tuicket item.) Manufactures respomding to conumer demand devised ways of making the model trains self propelled. At first this was wind up toys, but with the inventin of commercial applications for electricity we begin to see elcetric-powered model trains. At first they were powered by batteries, but as electricity began reaching homes, model trains powered by first DC and ten AC current appeaed. Gradually model trains became much more than toys as dads got interested in model railroading.

Created: 6:31 PM 3/24/2010
Last updated: 6:31 PM 3/24/2010