Do You Consider Your Model Trains As Toys?

[Anonymous]

They're all toys regardless of scale in my opinion. Just like the guys who have their classic Corvettes and other vintage cars. That's why I like O gauge. At least the O gaugers are up front and call them toys, which they are.

What's your opinion?[:D]

[Anonymous]

My Wordweb dictionary says:

Model : A representation of something (sometimes on a smaller scale)
Toy: An artifact designed to be played with.

So I guess they are both.
I'm happy with that. [tup]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ronnielouw

My Wordweb dictionary says:

Model : A representation of something (sometimes on a smaller scale)
Toy: An artifact designed to be played with.

So I guess they are both.
I'm happy with that. [tup]

I beg to disagree. While the definitions are sound, I cannot see giving my youngest a several hundred plus dollar engine to push across the basement floor! I tend to think of them more as animated models than toys, and they are operated as such!

[n2mopac]

toys for big people i suppose. but i prefer to think of them as collecvibles.
Ron

[Big_Boy_4005]

We have had this discussion before. In addition to Karl's price comments, I think it makes a difference how you use them. If you just like to run them around in circles, then they are just toys. But, if you try to simulate operations of real trains, then they are models. I am building my 3 rail O layout the same way that most HO guys do. I plan to have mainline, switching, yard operations and even staging. It's strange, because I used to think my trains were toys, but now they are models.

[railman]

I'll second Big Boy 4005s' commentary...maybe it's a matter of how much time you put into it? Personal opinion, more than anything, has a stake on the line of "toy" versus "model" definition, in my opinion.

[Javern]

mine are REAL I tell you R E A L wooo wooooo

[3railguy]

I can see, feel, and smell my trains so they are real.

[Roadtrp]

They're my toys... along with my Mustang and my golf clubs and my home theater and lots of other stuff I love to play with. They're all toys. What could ANYONE possibly have against toys? As they say...

He who dies with the most toys, wins.

[:D]

[Jetrock]

QUOTE: Originally posted by kbfcsme
I beg to disagree. While the definitions are sound, I cannot see giving my youngest a several hundred plus dollar engine to push across the basement floor! I tend to think of them more as animated models than toys, and they are operated as such!

You probably wouldn't give your youngest the keys to your Corvette, or let them swing around your composite/graphite golf clubs, etcetera (assuming you had those things instead of trains.)

A distinction should be made, I suppose, between "children's toys" and "adult's toys." Adults in our society definitely play with toys, but that doesn't mean that they are safe for children...or FROM children, I suppose.

[BRAKIE]

No,I think they are adult toys.

[rambo1]

NO WAY! They are beautiful models. Even my wife shows here friends how accurate they are, rambo1..............

[Junctionfan]

Not when I could be spending $2000 on an Overland locomotive.

[easyaces]

I can't think of better toys to play with then!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But on the other hand, I consider them to be precision pieces of equipment made for my enjoyment.[:D]

[Eriediamond]

Good question M Donaldson. My answer to this is yes they are toys and yet on the other hand I would consider any layout an art form where we express our take on things. I don't care how realistically you run your trains, you are still hauling imaginery freight and/or passengers, pretending to be a real railroad engineer or other employee, having fun doing it, gettiing a kick out of building and running your layouts, getting your minds off the daily grind of things playing with the expensive toys we call models. Thanks and read my signature.

[jwmurrayjr]

But, of course. [:)]

[Wdlgln005]

Yes, they are toys. On the label, you have to be a certain age to buy them. As you get older, you have the fun to put them together, paint them, & display them. The real fun part comes in when you get to run them. . It helps to develop a skill to share with others.

[Anonymous]

NO

[vsmith]

In large scale alot of stuff starts off looking like "toys" but by the time I'm done adding details, painting, and bashing, they are definetly "models".

This engine started as a guady shiny plasticy inexpensive LGB TOYTRAIN line, I repainted, added details, a complete backhead and rusty weathering and now its a "model" of an early 8-ton Porter common to mining lines at the turn of the century, and yes, the cut levers really do work to uncouple the cars. One of the advantages of big trains, you can operate them just like the real ones.[:D]

[Big_Boy_4005]

QUOTE: Originally posted by vsmith

In large scale alot of stuff starts off looking like "toys" but by the time I'm done adding details, painting, and bashing, they are definetly "models".

This engine started as a guady shiny plasticy inexpensive LGB TOYTRAIN line, I repainted, added details, a complete backhead and rusty weathering and now its a "model" of an early 8-ton Porter common to mining lines at the turn of the century, and yes, the cut levers really do work to uncouple the cars. One of the advantages of big trains, you can operate them just like the real ones.[:D]

So Vic, do you have two more named Larry and Moe?[:p] Nyuk, nyuk, nyuk.[:D][;)]

[vsmith]

Actually I do, one is another LGB engine and the other is a small gas Critter. I was planning on using the first names of famous comedians on all my engines. I have plenty of engines (20+) so I could end up with quite a roster: Moe, Larry, Curly, Harpo, Chico, Groucho, Abbott, Costello, Buster, Laurel, Hardy, Spanky, Alfalfa, Stymie, Mickey, and Minnie [;)]

My alternate was famous ladies of the silver screen up to about WW2, I could use names like: Clara B(ow), Jean H(arlowe) Lauren B(acall), Betty G(rable), Dorothy L(amour), Betty D(avis), Kathy H(epburn), Judy G(arland), etc.

or I might end up with a mix of both. I still have quite a few to add numbers and letters to.

[Big_Boy_4005]

I didn't see Goofy on that list. [swg]

Seriously though, it is always fun to see whimsey on the rails. And you're just the man to do it.[8D][:D][^]

[RedLeader]

The difference between kids and grown ups is the price of their TOYS. If you have an OMI brass engine worth $1500+, it is still a toy, an expensive one tho... This model thing is for me just an euphemism to justify our need to express our inner child. I "model" like most of you do, and I care much about being as "realistic" as possible (without being a rivet counter); but they are MY toys. I get the same exitement when I can spend some money in train stuff as a 6 y/o boy. Of course, my income is much more greater than the one of a 6 y/o, but I spend in much more expensive stuff. When a box from Internettrains arrives, I can't wait to open it, I even count the days from the moment I place the order, to the moment it arrives!!

[MAbruce]

Do I consider model trains as toys?

Some are very expensive. Some are valued more than pets. Some are toiled over more than children. Some are treated with more love and care than spouses. Some have better accommodations than most living in third world countries. But in the end, they’re all just toys and it’s all supposed to be a hobby.

Just my view anyway...

[Anonymous]

Toys or models? That is an interesting thought. Sure I want realistic track, scenery, structures, etc and try to get things to look like the prototype and yes they are models that involve research, working with tools and other skills, and yes I often tell folks that they are not toys, but rather a very involved hobby. But you know what?Although I've tried to give my modeling an adult air about it, my fiance saw right through that when we ran across a model railroading store during our first road trip (there isn't one where I live). She said "you have the same look on your face as your son [age 9] does when we are at Toys 'r Us!" So yes, they're toys, my favorite toys and I love playing with them. I look at it as "growing old is mandatory, growing up isn't."

Would I give a 3 year old a $700 model to push along the floor? No way. But I also wouldn't give a 5 year old a $5 toy with lots of small parts. Age appropriate toys is the key here.

RedLeader,

You do that too? It seems right after I hit the "place order" button and a website I'm scouting up and down the street for the UPS guy!! And yes, it's like Christmas morning when I open the box!

[RedLeader]

Dkelly, I even look for trains, paints and stuff at the toys 'r us...! [8D] [:D]

[Anonymous]

That's a nice looking conversion. I've got one of those LGB Porters sat in bits here (it had a bit of an accident before I bought it). I'm probably going to rebuild mine using a conversion kit to produce a Hunslet quarry loco, or something similar. There's still a few of these operating in North Wales narrow gauge tourist lines, so it'll probably end up as one of these.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by vsmith

In large scale alot of stuff starts off looking like "toys" but by the time I'm done adding details, painting, and bashing, they are definetly "models".

This engine started as a guady shiny plasticy inexpensive LGB TOYTRAIN line, I repainted, added details, a complete backhead and rusty weathering and now its a "model" of an early 8-ton Porter common to mining lines at the turn of the century, and yes, the cut levers really do work to uncouple the cars. One of the advantages of big trains, you can operate them just like the real ones.[:D]

Nice loco, vsmith !
I think of my trains as both, and I see no harm in saying that I play with trains !

[Anonymous]

I call my trains, my precious..., I mean toys, yes toys, but definetely not, childrens toys.

Alvie.