Micro Model Trains

Do you remember that sixties B flick where scientists shrunk down and entered this patient’s body to save him? Hmm, what was it called?  “Fantastic Journey”, maybe? I’m not sure.  There’ve been lots of flicks like that since then, but I always remember the incredible feeling of fascination that I got when I saw that movie–wouldn’t it be cool to be that small.  Looking at micro trains is like taking a journey into just such a miniature world. The uncanny smallness of these N scale and Z scale trains really captures our imaginations. Here’s what’s great about these trains:

The smallest trains you can buy:

How tiny? Real locomotives are 160 times the dimensions of an N scale train. That means that N scale trains are about the width of a ruler. If you think that’s small, Z scale is even tinier–1/220^th the size of real trains!

No matter how small your space, you can probably fit a micro train there.

Thought you couldn’t fit anything into that tiny 2’ x 4’ alcove in the foyer? Try these miniatures trains. A 2′ x 4′ area is just enough room for these guys. These little locomotives are sometimes called “tabletop” trains because they so easily fit on any flat surface. Just watch them whiz by tiny little chickens and pigs, farms and workmen! Fantastic Journey indeed!

Here are some draw backs:

Micro trains are too tiny for crafts work: 

These trains are so small that you won’t actually be using them for weathering or other sorts of crafts activities. Because these trains are so small people just get prefabricated landscapes and accessories. When you’re dealing with such tiny measurements it’s just too difficult to detail or decal these little guys.

Tiny toy trains are DANGEROUS for small children: 

Since these model trains are so tiny you’ll want to be careful that you don’t let little hands get a hold of them. N-scale is bad enough but Z scale really shouldn’t be put in a home with our little friends!

Z Scale can be hard to find: 

Z-scales are also a bit less popular. This means fewer opportunities in model types for you.

If you love tiny little trains though, you can’t go wrong with N or Z. There’s something odd yet fascinating about seeing a shrunken little world–we’re drawn to it like we are to miniatures of all kinds! Just ask Gulliver and the Jolly Green Giant.

Here is more information on Model Train Information. Here is a website with a free mini-course dedicated to Model Trains.