| Behind the Barn Door: Toy Trains |
From "DIY Crafts"
episode DIC-164 |
|
|
|
advertisement
|
Toy trains are not only part of the Christmas season, they're also exciting and often valuable collectibles. Gary Lavinus of the National Toy Train Museum explains the history of toy trains and shows a variety of trains, both old and new. Lionel trains date back to the early 1800s, when the company made alcohol-powered trains. Then came steam-powered models, and in 1896 Lionel began making electric trains. Former President Ronald Reagan's train, a Burlington Zephyr, was built in the late 1930s (figure A).
Today's electric trains are truly high-tech, with sound systems that offer all sorts of railway sounds, including whistles and train-station arrival announcements. You can even buy smoke scent that makes your train smell like a real one (figure B).
Lionel makes a special railroad car for Christmas called a Christmas Trolley (figure C).
| 
)
)
)
