A Brief Look at the History of Model Trains

Model trains are an exciting hobby with a long and fascinating history. What began as an engineering tool quickly evolved into scale replication for personal collecting and enjoyment. Here’s a brief look at the history of model trains.

The First Model Trains

Steam locomotives first appeared in the early 19th century, and became a major part of the world’s transportation industry by the middle of the century. At first, engineers created miniature versions of trains as tools for planning and designing the real deal. Today, engineers still use scale models before building real machines and vehicles, though most of it happens on a computer.

The Birmingham Dribbler

One of the earliest model trains created for entertainment was the Birmingham Dribbler, a perfect example of early toy trains. These trains did not come with a track, and children used them similarly to how they might play with matchbox cars and toy vehicles. Since toy trains were based on the popularity of real ones, they didn’t become popular until the mid-late 19th century.

Model Train Kits

In the late 1800s, a German company called Mӓrklin began producing and selling model train kits that people could put together themselves. Many of these early sets were made of tin, and they didn’t closely resemble real trains the way that today’s model trains do.

Electric Model Trains

One of the most important steps in the history of model trains occurred at the turn of the 20th century. Many people were experimenting with electricity to see what it could do. A man named Joshua Lionel Cowen created a toy train powered by an electric motor that moved around a set of tracks. Thus, the modern model train was born!

The 20th Century

After Cowen’s toy grew in popularity, the model train hobby began to expand. As more people, including adults, got into the hobby, realism and a fascination with working transportation systems became an integral part of model trains.

Today’s model trains are based on real ones, down to the exact makes and models. Part of the fun is recreating real trains and the landscapes they once travelled through (or, in some cases, still do).

A Hobby for Everyone

Model trains have always been a hobby that anyone can participate in, no matter how old or young. Midwest Model Railroad is proud to supply hobbyists with the widest array of model train and scenery parts, from HO scale diesel locomotives to animated signage. Call or email us with any questions you may have, or check out our online storefront to see our stock.