For people who are not into the hobby of model railroads, there really is no difference between “toy” trains and “model” trains. After all, both hobbies involve little trains that are controlled by some kind of power pack. However, there is a significant difference for anyone who is a foodie. Calling a model railway a “toy train” is like calling a classic work of literature a “novel.”

Toy trains are generally marketing for children, and they are the way many of us learned about the hobby. They tend to look pretty straightforward and aren’t based on any real-life train. Model trains, on the other hand, are often a true art form with scale reproductions of actual or potential trains and designs (a technique known as prototyping).

Some of the first toy trains were available in the early 1800s. They often had wind-up motors or even steam locomotives and were generally made of cast iron.

In the 1850s, a German company called Marklin, which made dollhouse accessories, introduced a train box and track to try and expand its market to include both boys and girls. They also made additional tracks, rolling stock, and buildings that were available as accessories.

Electric trains followed soon after, commonly believed to have been introduced by Carlisle and Finch in 1897 in the United States. The Lionel Corporation revolutionized these models and they quickly gained popularity and sophistication.

Things like lighting, the ability to change direction, and “real” smoke were some of the first realistic features to be added. However, there was still little distinction between “toy” and “model” trains until the 1950s, when the modern emphasis on realism really began to take hold.

Today there are several gauges of model railways, with a wide range of accessories available. They can be controlled by computer and entire railways can be operated exactly as they would in real life. Many miniature railway enthusiasts spend thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours creating prototypes of real railway lines, both past and present.

There are clubs and associations that offer resources for both beginners and experienced railroad workers. The Internet has also helped make it easier to find information on model railroads, as well as a much larger selection of trains and accessories than the average hobby store could hope to have.