Model Train History
Author:
Stewart Ames
Collectible model trains can be traced back to the nineteenth century when the first model locomotives became available in the 1840s. These early collectible trains ranged widely in price from the extremely expensive real working steam locomotives, to the least expensive ‘penny toys’ crafted from lead or tin. Continue reading
High Speed Rail Back to the Future
California price tag for their Anaheim to San Francisco proposed bullet train is 98 billion. This, combined with dissent from wealthy and poor communities in the path of the bullet train, plus problems from Union Pacific, make this reality discouraging. Union Pacific’scomplaints appear to mainly affect the politics of things rather than true issues with the route. But the bottom line is that the plans are really under major attack. Take this:
Backers on Tuesday announced a major strategy shift, unveiling a reworked blueprint for the first leg that would delay completion 13 years to 2033.
OK, 2033, are you serious? 22 years ago was 1989, just a few years after the first Back to the Future movie was released and it was the year Back to the Future II was released. When they traveled to 2015 we had flying cars! Yet in reality we can’t even get a high speed train by 2033???
Perhaps California simply is too difficult of a state to get this done. However, the desire does not seem to be there in other states, where land costs could perhaps help achieve a reality with high speed train service before our futuristic flying cars take over.
If I had to bet which we’ll see first, a high speed rail in California or flying cars, that is a bet I would have to really take time to think about.
Train to Nowhere
As if a bridge to nowhere is not enough, politics in the US leads us to trains to nowhere. Now, I can argue much of this article away with the value of trains in Ohio and Wisconsin, regardless of their speed, but let me focus on the merits of the argument. Continue reading
Creating model train layouts can be such a fun and fulfilling hobby, especially when you get to see the final product. Nothing beats seeing your favorite sceneries reduced to smaller sizes and then having them displayed in your home. Continue reading
LGB Model Trains from Germany
Extreme reliability, high precision and efficient distribution are the cornerstones of German products sold around the world, especially engineered products. Can we therefore expect the same form LGB model trains and accessories? Marklin are the biggest distributors of model trains, probably in Europe and they distribute LGB products in Germany and elsewhere. Continue reading
