The German manufacturer Marklin produced detailed trains as well as signals, stations, houses, and other scenery and destinations. Other German companies made ride-on-top live steam trains.
In 1906, Joshua Cowen invented Lionel trains, which soon came to dominate the American toy train market. More recently, LGB popularized garden trains in the United States.
Toy trains look less realistic than model trains, but often appeal to collectors. The first toy trains were made of cast iron or were pull toys. In the early 20th century, Lionel started making toy trains for standard gauge and O gauge. Other companies, such as American Flyer, Ives, and Marx made similar trains.
The interactive aspect of trains makes toy trains perfect for young children. Some adults’ first memory of a toy was that of a Lionel train. You might want to get your kids a Lionel starter set, which includes everything needed to run a toy train.
Children between the ages of 4 and 6 may be introduced to wooden train sets that spark the imagination. Children 8 years of age and older may be introduced to S scale electric trains, HO scale electric trains, or G scale electric trains under the guidance of an adult. Make sure that you carefully read all safety instructions that come with any train set before allowing children of any age to use it.
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