Article Directory
Free Online Article Directory. For Article Authors & Publishers

Collectors Guide to Lionel Trains

The hobby of model trains and railroading requires a fair amount of knowledge. First, you have to know where you will be setting up your display. Then from there you have to decide what scale will best fit your designated area. If it's a large area, then you don't want too small of a scaled train set. On the other hand, if it is a small space then you will want to purchase the smaller scale versions.

To help you know what you are looking for here are a few tips on determining the scales sizes of model trains.

-Every model train has a scale assigned to it. This is so you can judge the size of it in comparison to a real train. For example 1:100 would equate to the real train being 100 times bigger than the miniature model.

-Every model train has a letter assigned to it. This is so the scale size is easy to determine. The very smallest model you can find is the "Z" scale. This scale is 1:220. Using the example as above then this means the real train would be 220 larger than the scale model. This is ideal if you have limited space. New comers to the hobby always feel more comfortable with this one, until they make up their mind that becoming a model train collector is what they want.

-the "N" is 1:160 scale sizes. This is slightly larger than the "Z" scale. You are still forfeiting some of the intricate detail of the life size train. It is perfect for the hobbyist who wants to display his collection in a real life setting of laying out the tracks and scenery. The "N" scale is one of the more popular ones.

-Moving up in size takes us into the 1:80 scales. We are now into the HO scale train models. This is probably one of the best because it's the middle line of the scale system. The train details are much more obvious and the size is comparable for an average location.

In the United States, HO scale trains are the top sellers. At approximately double the size of the N scale, all costs associated with them are higher. Many people cannot afford the luxury of the larger unit because of space and money constraints.

In most of Europe, the N scale is the train of choice. Many like the size because they can run very long trains, which is not possible in limited areas with larger train sets. Another selling point of the N scale is the quality of detail you can get based on the brands you buy.

There are some variations to the size of the N scale. In the United Kingdom, the track gauge is the same, but the ratio is 1:148.

Because the size is so popular, it's easy to get a wide variety of boxcars, buildings, people, locomotives, etc. to add to the set. Boxcars cost an average of 20 dollars a piece, depending on where you get them. This is more affordable than larger model trains.


The Complete Guide on Lionel Trains
If you are an avid collector of Lionel Trains or just a beginner, you can find lots of information and resources related to Lionel trains by visiting the complete guide on Lionel trains here


Author Resource:- If you are an avid collector of Lionel Trains or just a beginner, you can find lots of information and resources related to Lionel trains by visiting the complete guide on Lionel trains here
Submitted 2010-09-10 16:49:13
By: David Hensley 29 or more times read
Article Read 69 Times
Article From
Article Listed
[Valid RSS feed]  David Hensley's Author Feed
http://www.articlelisted.com/author-rss-feed.php?rss=13467
[Valid RSS feed]  Category Rss Feed
http://www.articlelisted.com/rss.php?rss=117

Related Articles

HTML Ready Article. Click on the "Copy" button to copy into your clipboard.




Firefox users please select/copy/paste as usual
Actions
Print This Article
Add To Favorites


Navigation
select
Home
select
Sign up
select
Login
select
Submit Articles
select
Submission Guidelines
select
learn more
select
Top Articles
select
About Us
select
Contact Us
select
Privacy Policy
select
RSS Feeds
   
Submit Your Articles To Our Other Article Directory
Morefreeinformation.com