Posts Tagged ‘Tiny Model Trains’
Tiny Model Trains
Do you recall that sixties B movie where scientists shrunk down and entered this patient’s body to save him? I can’t remember now exactly what it was called “Fantastic Journey”, maybe? Something like that. Other movies have shown people shrinking down or getting bigger but that’s the one that really stuck with me. Well, that’s the sensation that a lot of us get when we look at micro trains. We are just lured into the tiny world of these fantastical and oddly realistic model trains. Here’s what’s great about these model trains:
The smallest trains you can buy:
What is their exact scale? Real locomotives are 160 times the dimensions of an N scale train. Stick out two of your fingers. That’s the size of an N scale train. If you think that’s tiny, Z scale is even tinier–1/220th the size of real trains!
Micro trains can be put almost anywhere
Thought you couldn’t fit anything into that tiny 2’ x 4’ alcove in the foyer? Try these model locomotives. A 2′ x 4′ area is plenty of room for these guys. These little guys are sometimes called “tabletop” trains because they so easily fit on any flat surface. What would it be like to be in that little landscape whizzing by tooth pick farms, porcelain cowboys and ceramic chickens and cows? Strange Journey indeed!
Here are some draw backs:
I hear they torture poor, acne smeared middle schoolers in some countries by making them detail N and Z scale trains:
Crafts activities are definitely a no go with these tiny mechanical wonders. The scale of these trains is too small for real craftwork so collectors get prefabricated accessories. These guys are just too small to be detailed or decalling.
N and Z Scale are DANGEROUS for small children:
Because these model trains are so tiny you’ll want to be careful that you don’t let tiny mits get a hold of them. N-scale is bad enough but Z scale really shouldn’t be put in a home with small children!
If you don’t like to play ”Search and Rocover Mini-Train Edition”, z-scale may not be for you:
Because it is so tiny, z scale does not offer you a lot of unique choices in terms of trains and accessories.
With these things in mind however, these are really wonderful. There’s something odd yet fascinating about seeing a shrunken little world–we’re drawn to it like we are to miniatures of all kinds! Just ask Gulliver and the Jolly Green Giant.
Here is more information on Model Train Information. Here is a website with a free mini-course dedicated to Model Trains.
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