My layout models the midwest and the northeastern part of PA. On our annual midwest trips, we would always go to the local Walmart or Farm King for the best in John Deere tractors for the layout. Also got to visit ERTL in Dyersville just before they became an import only company. They were making the last of USA made pedal tractors at the time. Way cool. They had an outlet store across the street as I recall. Right near the Field O' Dreams.
Hi to everyone. I'm mostly a lurker here but the discussion of Toy Farmer magazine is interesting. I used to subscribe to the magazine around 15 years ago. The hot bed for collecting toy tractors seems to be in Dyersville Iowa.That's where the National Farm Toy Museum is located. They have quite a few shows during the year. Many shows issue a special tractor for collectors.Most individuals seem to collect either 1/16 or 1/64 scale. Ertl used to sell several farm buildings in 1/64 scale which are very good for toy train layouts.
Wayne R. Smith
If it's been made either in small quantities or in the millions, no mater what “it” is someone probably collects “it”. Even after something that was a fad to collect there’s still people who are collecting those items. I’m sure we all know someone with a Beanie Baby collection. I’ve collected a few Pet Rocks just because I was fascinated by them being a fad in the 70’s. Farm toys and tractors are no exception of the things people collect.
I had toy tractor in scales of 1:16, 1:32, 1:50, and 1:64 as I was growing up. Every birthday, Christmas, and John Deere day I was probably having at least one little item added to my collection. Turns out keeping all my toys was a good idea as my toy cars and tractors I had as a kid turned out to be scale for my future Lionel and American Flyer collections. When it comes to transportation there’s not a lot I don’t collect in some form. Trains and cars make up the majority of items sitting around my house but there’s no shortage of trucks, farm equipment, ships, aircraft, or military vehicles around either. All from items intended to be toys only to items made specifically for the adult collector market.
TG3 LOOK ! LISTEN ! LIVE ! Remember the 3.
Again, I'm not into them, but if you go to a show bring a ruler or some kind of template with you. They seem to be all sizes, some may be compatable with an O gauge layout.
If you shop on-line look for scales listed as 1/43 to 1/50. Those should work.
Are they in a scale appropriate to O gauge trains? I have a farm scene on my layout some others may also.
aboard!
Trains, trains, wonderful trains. The more you get, the more you toot!
Yep, it's a thing! For many years, my dad managed a tire store. For a number years, Firestone (and then others) offered an annual "special" tractor model to the store managers (to buy, it wasn't free). My dad loves old tractors and now has a bunch of these models. I don't know if they still do this; dad retired a couple of years ago.
If you visit a farm-supply store during Christmastime, you'll see a big selection of tractor models for sale, aimed at both kids and adults.
Rene Schweitzer
Classic Toy Trains/Garden Railways/Model Railroader
Yes, toy tractor collecting is a big thing with some people, many of the big train shows I go to have exhibitors selling the same. I'm not into them myself but it's hard not to notice the show displays, some are huge!
ran into some old issues from 1990s at the old motel in Willard OH that I was staying at...Scracth built and wood and metal working a lot of parrels from Toy Train Collection.Conventions too with thousands of people showing up
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