I hope that this has not been asked and answered somewhere, but need some help.
My now 3-year old is really into trains. In fact, he is beyond playing with Thomas and into playing with miniature replicas of actual trains. So, because of his interest, i have become interested…
My question is:
Akin to plastic models of cars, ships and airplanes, is there a company that makes plastic train models that are to be constructed with glue and painted? The only things that I have been able to find are “already-constructed” trains that are for electric train sets.
And if so, where would you suggest that I purchase these models?
There are in fact static model kits of famous steam locomotives produced by model makers such as Revell. But these are scale models, not toys that you would give to a 3-year old to play with.
If your son has moved “beyond” Thomas, then I assume he’s also moved beyond Brio or other makes of floor trains. Leggo makes train sets for younger children in as part of their “Duplo” line. They even had a battery-powered diesel locomotive at one time. Otherwise, if you are looking for a powered model train set that can survive in a toddler-intensive environment, your best bet is O-27.
In HO scale (if that’s the scale you’re interested in), there’s Branchline (passenger and freight cars), Red Caboose (freight cars), Hi Tech Details (one fine boxcar), and Intermountain (undecorated freight cars). These are all high quality kits that will keep your fingers busy for hours. Some of them are available pre-painted–needing a little touch-up. Others will need a full paint job. Those normally come without decals, so you’ll have to get them separately–not usually a big problem. They’re styrene, so I think that fits your parameters. No powered engines come to mind. The three companies can be found with a web search.
For more of a challenge, there are car kits made from casting resin. Look up Westerfield online for a good example. They’re plastic, but they don’t go together with regular plastic glue–they use superglue.
Note that all these will be way too delicate for almost all three year olds to handle.
If you dive into this, there’ll be many more questions. Just ask. I’ll note that there are books and magazines full of information, so I’d recommend doing some “self guided studying”.
My son is pretty remarkable. He is amazingling enthralled with steam locomotives especially. The models are really for me to make for him, but not as toys. As display for his room and occassional supervised play at the table.
Thank you. I will look into what you both have suggested. I tried Revell and couldn’t find any mention of locomotives on their site. Will check again.
These can be bought at Hobby Lobby for around $20/each. Hob Lob always has a 40% off 1 item coupon on their site. Print it out at take it to the store. They don’t list the models on their web site but they usually have them. (not recommended for a 3 year old to build or play with)
Xmas is almost here. (believe it or not!) Many of the dollar stores like Freds or Big Lots will be getting in battery power Xmas trains for $10-$20. Probably a wiser choice. They usually run on the track or the floor.
At one time such firms as Hobbyline, Kitmaster and Airfix (the latter two being British) offered the kinds of locomotive kits you are talking about. But except for a fairly complex Airfix model of a very very early British steam engine, and the Revell/Monogram 4-6-4 and 4-8-8-4, there does not seem to be much out there.
Perhaps the lad would enjoy constructing a few Placticville structures? That really remains the only line of trains I know of intended to give young children the experience of building something.
I doubt that a 3 yr old will have the dexterity required to build anything that has been suggested so far, so Mom/Dad need to be prepared to help big time. My 10 1/2 yr old has just got the hang of doing moderately complex models on his own (1/350 Bismarck to be exact).
Best of luck, its a good way to get into the hobby and I hope he likes it enough that he will stick with it over time.
Several manufacturers of HO-scale trains produce inexpensive kits. Athearn’s well-known “blue box” kits are relatively simple to assemble, and will produce a nice model which is acceptable for either display or running. It’s not as detailed as some of the more “craftsman” models, but at the same time it will stand up to a bit more handling. You can find these at hobby shops or train shows. (Google “train show ” for a quick listing.)
While you’re there, pick up a length of track for your display. See how well his little fingers adapt to putting the cars on the track. If that goes well, think about investing in a loop of sectional track pieces.
It’s amazing just how few plastic model kits there are. I would have thought that they would be as reasonably popular as the model cars, boats/ships, airplanes. Were they ever? Why the scarcity?
We debate that very topic quite frequently, actually. While there are plenty of models, most of them now are what we call RTR, or Ready To Run. They have the advantage of “instant gratification” for some, in our always-short-of-time world. However, there are still plenty of kit models you can get, but some of them cater to the serious model builder.
Unlike airplanes or ships, train models are generally meant to be part of a train layout, not simply a static display. However, they are still designed as quality models, just made with a few moving parts that turn them into real miniature trains. This model of a Mather box car was made from a kit:
(You can see a larger image by clicking on the picture.) This one was made straight from the box, and took a couple of hours. It was an enjoyable and satisfying kit-building experience, and the finished product is now part of my fleet of rolling stock that I can drag around behind a locomotive or spot in front of a factory building for loading.
There are really plenty of train models, I would say far more than ships and planes, but they are designed to be displayed on tracks, not in a cabinet.
To learn more about SOME of what’s available, go to your friendly local hobby shop, reveal your needs/interests, and hopefully the clerk will answer various questions and sell you a couple of items. I’d recommend, while there, also picking up a Walthers catalog in the scale you’re interested in. It’s probably the most complete catalog of model railroad “stuff”. There ARE things made that aren’t listed, but it’s a good start. The shop might also have various books and magazines that will also be helpful.
I’ll also mention the very best styrene-glue-together-and-paint model ever (in HO scale): the Tichy/Gould crane (see above Walthers catalog for more info). It’s a joy to build and has LOTS of parts. And needs painting and decals. I’d recommend first trying building a Branchline or Red Caboose kit, though.
These kits may well be too delicate for a/your 3 year old to handle. If this turns out to be true, maybe you should consider buying some Accurail kits. They’re pretty nice but have fewer parts to ding. Accurail is also findable on the internet.
As far as steam locomotives (unpowered), the two Revell/Monogram kits are probably about it. I looked on the Revell site also, and didn’t see them; but apparently they’re out there.
Why the scarcity? It costs alot of money to make the mold. Often these molds can cost several hundreds of thousands to design and manufacture. You have to sell alot of kits just to recoup that investment so the model plastic model manufacturers are going to make only what sells and not what has only limited market as plastic model trains has.
Does Revell still have that HO scale East German diesel locomotive in their catalog? Nice kit, but some of the details are a bit on the fragile side. I have a pair of these. One is being built box-stock, the other…I’m attempting to power with Athearn components.
