Model railroading has been around in one form or another almost since the invention of the train itself in the mid 1800’s but has been a recognized hobby with dedicated clubs since the early 1900’s. One club for instance, the East Bay Model Engineers Society was founded in 1933 and is a featured group at the Golden State Model Railroad Museum in Point Richmond, CA.

The earliest available mass-production model was created by a German company called Märklin in 1891 and by 1900 they were producing four different gauge systems and models that ran primarily on clockwork or steam power. By 1914 the wide availability of electricity had caused a shift to the now dominant electric motor systems. Märklin remained the leader in the model railway market until the start of WWI at which time Lionel, Ives and American Flyer became the principle names in America and others took over the leading positions in other countries.

In part due to the war and costs plastic began to replace tin as the primary construction materials for model trains in 1945 just as modeling began to enjoy it’s first boom as manufacturers targeted fathers and sons and smaller scale models began to flourish. The boom all but ended however with the introduction of slot cars in the 1960’s which reduced the overall toy market share.

Some of the most recent advances besides improvements in materials and detail are in the command and control devices that have seen vast changes in the late 21st century allowing hobbyists to control multiple trains on a single track independently, even from handheld remote control units.

Many sites are now available on the internet discussing the history of model trains and enthusiasts, and museums abound where existing models and details of their construction can be found carefully detailed for future generations. The amazing history of model railroading fascinates even those who are not interested in pursuing the hobby themselves, as the vast numbers of visitors who regularly pass through existing museums such as the Golden State Model Railroad Museum in Point Richmond, CA and the Smoky Mountain Train Museum in Bryson City NC indicate. As for the future - it is wide open. As the recent increases in ‘plug and play’ capabilities indicate it is ‘full steam ahead’ for the future of the model train industry!