By Ed Brennan, MMR
Since the arrival of real trains on the scene, toy train have played an important part as a Christmas tradition. From the very first wooden trains to today’s “super-detailed” models, model trains bring a unique sense of movement to the holiday adventure almost mirroring the hustle and bustle of this special season.
Why ? Perhaps because trains have always been associated with travel. And during the holidays, travel to visit friends and family was and is, an important part of the celebration. Even after the advent of air travel, trains still evoke the sense of a level of comfort that was, or seems to have been, something very special. Consider the luxury of the Orient Express for example.
The toy trains of the early years magically found themselves around the Christmas tree. Probably because that’s the only place they would be out of the way of clumsy feet and somewhat protected by the tree’s branches above. Consider that those early train set were very expensive. They merited extra care since in many cases, they were the most expensive gifts of the year. Many of us remember a circle of track on which magical trains whisked us away to destinations limited only by our imaginations and in so doing, left an indelible mark on our beings. Who wouldn’t be impressed by the sights and sounds of a bulky steam locomotive with drivers spinning, lights flashing, whistle blowing and perhaps even sending streams of smoke into the air ? Later, streamlined diesels replaced the steam power enhancing even more the mystery of unknown destinations to which they could swiftly deliver our imaginations.
Toy trains appeared as early as the beginning of the 1900’s. The early trains were crude in design. In the 1930’s, 40’s and 50’s Lionel, American Flyer and Marx captured the romance of the rails with toy trains that brought out the best American manufacturing could deliver. To enhance the trains, these companies added accessories with motion that was state-of-the-art for the time. Actuating crossing gates, functioning log and barrel loaders, coal dumping gondola cars and many other moving parts took us to new heights of enjoyment even while reflecting the bright colors of the Christmas tree lights overhead. What a sensory smorasboard !
After the airplane arrived on the scene, trains took a backseat to other forms of enjoyment. Lionel for example fell on difficult economic times in the 1960’s. Fortunately the arrival of Thomas the Tank Engine and such recent successes as Hogwarts Express and Polar Express fueled the rebirth of toy trains as a holiday tradition. Many railroad museums have capitalized on these programs to launch holiday themed excursion trains. Some using restored steam locomotives almost 100 years old. In many cases those restorations are also reflected in on going summer excursions based on a deep sense of the history of the rails. Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific, among other, have made strong commitments to steam preservation. Their results can seen throughout the year.
For some enthusiasts, model trains are a year round form of enjoyment. The K & I Model Railroad Club is composed of just such enthusiasts. At our new building in Louisville, the K & I is building a new sectional layout where our members will be able to construct scenery and structures and employ the most modern digital controls to run trains with histories encompassing almost a century as well as the most modern equipment available. During the holiday season and throughout the year our members enjoy the sight and sound of scale trains.
