The introduction of railways in England dates to 1764, and were erected for military purposes “as a way to reduce friction in moving heavily loaded wheeled vehicles.” [1]
Depending on definition of terms used, the earliest “model trains” may date to almost as far back — to a couple of centuries past. [2]
“Electrified” setups appeared in the early 1900s, with a bias favoring true-to-life reproductions produced to scale in the 1930s. Minton Cronkhite is credited as having pioneered development of both functioning engines and cars, and the track layouts and environments in which they would run. [3,4]
His is the genious behind “one of the first model railroad layouts built on a grand scale,” opened and run for six decades at the Museum of Science & Industry in Chicago. [5]
Whatever agreement may be reached regarding milestones and length of that history, there are new definitional challenges for the hobby of today. In order to exist, =some= must be committed to its practical aspects — technical, craftsmanlike. At the same time, there is an undeniably =relational= aspect to being almost any part of “model railroading.” [6-9]
This blend, then, makes for a attractive environment that, once entered, compels a sort of irrestability.
And short of pilgimage to museum or model railroad club, the coast-to-coast “Great Train Show” events continue to prove the enduring appeal of visiting these scale environments. [10-14]
As expositions go, floors, individual booth spaces, and appearence of the hall itself are sparcely appointed. There is no aisle carpet; signage is minimal. It’s as if organizers have recognized that nothing could compete with the elaborate cityscapes and bridges and rustbelts and countrysides in which miniature train setups have been assembled to come alive here — however briefly.
During its most recent appearance at Suburban Collection Showplace, Great Train Show exhibitors displayed a wide range of functioning replica sizes. The largest offerred rides for small children.
Arguments in favor of immersive technologies as means to countless benefits abound. The staying power of model railroading interests, and the in-person crowds attracted this past weekend to the Novi Michigan event, however, argue otherwise. [15]
Dates for upcoming expositions are listed on the Trainshow.com calendar, with its 2023 schedule promised by November. Suburban Collection Showplace also maintains its own events page for local interests. [16]
See Saline Journal Flickr Photostream for exclusive images from the 2022 Great Train Show here in the Greater Detroit area. [17]
References
- “The Beginnings of American Railroads and Mapping” United States Library of Congress.
- “History of Model Trains 1860 – Present” Gary Renshaw (March 22, 2021) Modelers Central.
- “Minton Cronkhite and Chicago’s Magnificent Museum & Santa Fe layout” Scott Orr (2013) The Midnight Railroader.
- “History Of Model Railroading – Model Trains Through The Years” Model Trains Railroads (November 18, 2014) YouTube (2:17 minutes).
- “New train exhibit a model of accuracy” William Mullen (September 15, 2002) The Chicago Tribune.
- “The Joy of Train Sets – History of Model Railway – Part 1 Bassett-Lowke” ModifiedMethod (August 8, 2014) YouTube (14:59 minutes).
- “The Joy of Train Sets – History of Model Railway – Part 2 Frank Hornby” ModifiedMethod (August 8, 2014) YouTube (14:59 minutes).
- “The Joy of Train Sets – History of Model Railway – Part 3 Dublo + Tri-ang” ModifiedMethod (August 8, 2014) YouTube (14:59 minutes).
- “The Joy of Train Sets – History of Model Railway – Part 4 Nostalgia” ModifiedMethod (August 8, 2014) YouTube (14:03 minutes).
- Lakeshore Garden Railway Club (Facebook Page).
- Lansing Model Railroad Club (home page).
- Miami Valley Modular Railway (MVMR) (Facebook Page).
- Redford Model Railroad Club (Facebook Page).
- Trainshow.com (home page).
- “A cognitive psychologist explains how immersive technologies are improving the human experience” Kelly Hall and Eliot Popko, 3M.
- “Upcoming Events” Suburban Collection Showplace.
- Saline Journal (Flickr Photostream).
