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Toy trains have been an important part of Americana for a hundred years. Toy trains are a unifying factor, as it seems almost everyone had one as a child. For most of us toy trains have been an important part of growing up. After all who can forget the magic and excitement of the lights and sounds of your first toy train. Children and adults alike are fascinated by the lights, sounds, and motions of a neat toy train layout. But what about the history of the toy train? How did they become so treasured?
To understand the fascination with trains you have to understand how important they were to a young and growing nation. The steam locomotive was developed in the early 19th century in England. By the late 1820's, trains were introduced to this nation. This was an important time in our history - the nation was beginning to expand westward. The nation needed to transport people, agricultural products, minerals, and manufactured goods. Roads were poor, muddy in wet weather, very dusty in dry. Rivers didn't always go where they were needed and were subject to the vagaries of flood and drought. Canals were expensive to build, and weren't suitable for all terrain.
The steam locomotive was the perfect solution to the nation's transportation problem. Its fuel - wood and water - was locally abundant in all areas. Track could be constructed in just about any terrain. The train rapidly became the primary transportation system in the country. Trains hauled freight, livestock, people, and mail. Trains helped settle the nation. An important turning point in this nations history occurred in 1876 at Promontory Point, Utah with the driving of the Golden Spike. Trains truly united the nation, as now a person could travel the vast distance from Atlantic to the Pacific in a few days, as opposed to the weeks, if not months needed for horse transportation.
Toy trains had their roots in the real trains which had become so important to the country. The first toy trains were simple wooden carved trains designed to be pulled along the floor with a rope. Many of these were homemade, as local craftsman capitalized on the desire for toy trains. Manufacturers soon began making these trains out of metal. Because metals can show greater detail than wood, these little trains were more realistic than their wood counterparts. These types of trains are still popular for very young children.
The locomotive was developed in Europe, and the train had become just as important there as it was here. By the end of the 19th century, German clockmakers began applying their craft to the art of toymaking. The first toy trains to run around the track under their own power, just like the real thing, were wind-up trains built by these German craftsmen. Because of this heritage, wind up trains and other toys are still referred to as 'clockwork toys'. Wind-up trains can still be purchased, and are still fun to run.
The first electric toy trains appeared around 1899/1900 and were also probably German in origin. Because few homes had electricity at this time, these trains were battery powered. The 'wet cell' battery in use at the time was messy and dangerous, but the trains were still popular. Joshua Lionel Cowen - a name most people will recall- was the first documented American to build an electric toy train. The year was 1901, and he built it for use by merchants as an animated store window display. It was a simple train - a motorized gondola car. When he noticed people playing with the thing, he realized its potential, and as they say "A star was born."
. Few inventions have had as much impact on the history of a nation, or the world, as the locomotive had. Without it, our world would be a much different place. Toy trains have formed an important part of this world. The magic of toy trains as they wind through miniature villages and countrysides act as a time machine, transporting us back to a simpler time. The fun of building a layout and running the trains is a timeless pleasure, fun for young and old alike.
Paul Wonning is the owner of THC Toys, Hobbies and Crafts.com.
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