Toy Boxes
There is a lot more to this hobby than just buying a couple of train toys to push around on a makeshift track. Instead, you need to consider everything from the materials from which the tracks are made to the locomotives, cars, wiring, power-pack components, and whether or not to purchase complete kits or buy each item separately.
One of the first things to consider is the scale. The most popular scales are O scale and HO scale (half-zero). O scale is 1:48 scale while HO is 1:87 scale. However, smaller and larger scale models are also available. The main consideration here is your availability of space. If you plan to fit your layout on a 4×8 piece of plywood, HO scale is a great choice for that. If you have more space and more money to spend, O scale is a great choice. There are lots of accessories available for either HO or O scale.
Another decision to make is whether to buy a complete kit or individual components. Kits are recommended for beginners because they provide the essential items at an affordable cost. The downside of buying individual components is it will cost more money and take more time to put it all together. However, for more serious model train hobbyists, buying individual components is recommended because it allows you to upgrade and customize your selections, making your set uniquely yours and totally awesome! Kits typically include standard quality items, which are okay for beginners but maybe not okay for more serious railroaders.
For the cars, as long as they are the same scale as your track, you really cannot go wrong. Buy the ones you like the best and have fun collecting unique and interesting cars.
One of the most important model train features is the track. Tracks have rail heads, which are made from three basic materials, brass, nickel-silver and steel. However, there are really just two choices here because brass is being phased out by most manufacturers and is already hard to find in hobby shops. The best and cheapest place to find brass track is in garage sales. So your remaining choices are nickel-silver and steel. Nickel-silver is the easiest to find and most commonly used. It is very popular because it is slower to oxidize, which means less maintenance and less cleaning. Steel has the advantage of looking the most realistic but it has the disadvantage of rusting faster and getting dirty faster. So if you want that awesome look that steel offers, you have to be willing to work harder for it.
When looking for track, look for a code on the track packages. This number relates to the height of the rail. The most commonly used track code is 100 on the HO scale. Model train enthusiasts often use lighter rails or those below 100 as an alternative to achieve a more realistic appearance.
Another important component is the locomotive. Here the choices are diesel versus steam engines. Steam locomotives are very fun because of the loud train sounds and smoke but are typically more expensive than diesel. Diesels are typically available as either 4-axle or 6-axle. Your choice here depends partly on the twists and turns of your track layout. For HO track, a 4-axle diesel requires a minimum track radius of 18 inches while a 6-axle diesel requires a minimum track radius of 22 inches.
Lastly, consider your electrical needs. You will not only need a power-pack but also wires to keep your train up and running. Different trains require different types of power. Most experts agree that HO locomotives pull between 0 to 15 volts DC at .5 or more amp, though adding extra amps is always a good investment. Invest in colored wires to make wiring that much easier. This helps you to keep track of positive and negative charges so that you can avoid a short.
What began as train toys can quickly become a far more serious but still very lovable model train hobby. This guide should help you get started so you can safely move past the serious issues and proceed directly into the fun times.
Toys are one of the most wonderful things that kids can experience. It allows them to explore the world with an eye for endless possibilities and also opens up their mind for exploring their own talent and imagination. So with these reasons, it is very important that as parents and adults you help your kids take care of their toys by building them a toy box. Plus it also creates a safer environment for everybody else in the house when the toys are kept right where they should be.
First Things First on How to Create a Toy Box
Well, you can’t just go right down to business and hammer away. The first thing you need to know on how to build a toy box is to identify the kind of toys that the kids have. You need to separate them accordingly because some toys tend to be more sensitive than the others. Some are smaller while some may take up too much space. Putting a category on the toys beforehand also allows you to make a simple inventory of the toys the kids already have.
Soon as you have your mini inventory in place, this is where the design process comes in. If you really want to build your toy box from scratch then it would help to have a design plan that you can sketch up to serve as your guide. This would also give you an idea of the materials that you will need to make building possible. You can also have someone who’s more adept at building stuff look over your sketch so they can give you useful inputs on how to build a toy box.
Choosing Your Materials Wisely
Keep in mind that as much as you want the kids toy box to be creative and sturdy, you should also remember that most of the time the kids themselves would be the ones to handle it. Safety precautions should be among the top of your priorities when building one. Make sure that if you decide to use wood, the materials is properly smoothed out to avoid stubs that can injure the kids hands and fingers. If you will use metal, it would be best to use those that are a bit on the thin side so kids can easily carry them around.
Make sure that you also create safe joints for the box lids and sides. You can actually use ropes instead of nails. But should you use bolts and screws and other steel joints, just make sure you choose the ones that are guaranteed to be stainless. At least even if times wears out these materials they would not rust and cause a hazardous toy box for the kids to use.