From Napoleon to Now: The Evolution of Model Trains

Model trains are some of the most interesting products on the market. Both the toy versions for children and the more complex versions for adults and collectors are popular today. However, the invention and evolution of model trains are as interesting as the trains themselves. To help you get a better appreciation for these amazing products, here’s an in-depth look at the history of model trains.

1830s: Matthias Baldwin

While it’s difficult to say what counts as the first model train, you can trace back to Matthias Baldwin as the person who made the first passenger train model. Soon, multiple toymakers started their own versions of the model train, and the product started its growth as one of the most beloved toys and collectible items.

1859: Napoleon

Perhaps the most famous model railway is from 1859, which many people believe to be the first. Napoleon, the famous emperor and leader, ordered a model train for his child. This model was of the Chemin de fer du Prince Impérial. This railway ran on clockwork on a figure-eight pattern.

Early Manufacturing Process

These first model trains came about in a time before industrial production like we know today. This meant that people made these trains using a mold, pouring tin or brass to form the basic shape. Then, they would attach wooden parts and carve the mold to match the shape of a train. These early model trains don’t match the accuracy of current train models, but they were great products for their time.

1891: Mass Production of Train Sets

With time, the popularity of model trains increased more and more as people wanted to collect these amazing new sets. However, it wasn’t until 1891 that mass production was a possibility and there was a market for it. Märklin, a German manufacturer, was the first to corner this mass-production market, and the manufacturer still produces model trains to this day. In fact, it’s one of the bigger brands in the world, remaining a big name in the model train industry.

1896: Electric Train Sets

Only a few years later, the first model trains running on electricity came to be. Carlisle & Finch came out with the electronic train set and was the first company to make them in the US. This was a game changer in the model train industry, as people had to scramble to catch up with these new trains that could power themselves with electricity. Even to this day, most moving models you find at the model train shop use electricity as their main power source.

1920s: Model Train Boom

When it comes to model trains, you need to look at the history of traditional trains as well. In the US, the time leading up to the 1920s was a golden age for trains. The nation needed a lot of passenger trains traveling from city to city, which made these trains very popular across the country. This increase in train-travel popularity meant that the model train industry also experienced a boom, as people gained more exposure to and admiration for trains.

1930s: O Scales

Until the 1960s, O gauge was the most popular scale for railroad models, starting in the 1930s from the German manufacturer Märklin. This large size was the most popular because it worked well for children, and the design was durable enough for playing. Recently, this model scale has become popular once again because the bigger size means more possible detail for modelers.

WWII Stops Manufacturing

Manufacturing always changes in times of national distress, and WWII was such a time. Most manufacturing facilities were no longer able to make the same recreational products, as the war consumed manufacturers’ attention and production. Therefore, WWII saw an almost complete stop of model train production, as mass production like it was before the war was effectively impossible.

1950s: Trains Are the Top Toy

After the war, it took a bit for things to return to normal, but that didn’t stop model trains from once again becoming a popular toy. Once consumer manufacturing returned in full force to the nation, people could easily get these trains like they could before the war. In fact, the war had a positive impact on production capability, and model train sets only got more popular. In the 1950s, train model sets were the most popular toy amongst boys.

1962: N Scale

Another German model train design, the N scale, came about in 1962 but only arrived in the US in 1967. These train sets use a 1:60 ratio with the trains they represent, which is much smaller than many of the other popular scale sizes at the time. This model size was and remains perfect for people with limited space or people who want a small railroad system.

1968: G Scale

Before the G scale, most people saw trains as an indoor toy or set to keep just on display. However, the G scale set uses materials that allow for outdoor use, such as brass and durable tracks that can withstand outdoor weather. This scale originated from yet another German company: the LGB.

1970s: Z Scale

When it comes to getting a train set, one of the biggest problems is the size of the pieces. It’s hard to store things with limited space, which is why small models are always in high demand. With the evolution of technology, smaller and smaller scales are possible while still maintaining plenty of detail on the models. The Z scale is a model that’s at the 1:220 ratio, which was the smallest scale on the market back in the early 1970s.

1980s: Digital Controls

The 1980s were the next huge jump in technology and the most recent evolution of model trains. The big advancement was digital controls, which means people could use remotes to control their trains’ motions rather than relying on manual controls. This was a huge evolution for model trains since their invention back in the 19th century.

Understanding this history will help contextualize the evolution and popularity of model trains from Napoleon to now. Since their inception, trains have been extremely interesting to people, and model trains reflect that interest in an accessible way. That’s why they’re so popular and why so many people love to build and create with them.