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Model Trains & Railroads - General

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The first model trains were made in Germany in the 1830s. These models were manufactured similarly to toy soldiers, made by pouring molten brass or tin into a mold. The trains had rolling wheels and could be pushed along a toy track. French toymakers joined the Germans in making model trains, developing very elaborate models. Musical instrument manufacturers made self-propelled model trains that were powered by clockworks.

In America, the first model train was made by Mathias Baldwin of the Baltimore Locomotive Works in the 1830s. Other toymakers followed suit. In 1856, George Brown and Co. of Connecticut made the first American self-propelled model train, which used clockworks. Model trains grew in popularity in America after the Civil War. These trains were more durable, realistic, and affordable than European model trains.

In the 1890s, the first electric train set was invented by German toy maker Theodore Marklin. He also created the first sectional track and figure eight layout. These improvements to model trains caught on quickly in America. Model trains were widely popular until the late '50s, when public interest switched from trains to cars. In the '90s, however, model trains enjoyed a resurgence in popularity as the television show "Thomas the Tank Engine" helped to renew interest among both children and adults.

Recommended Items at Auction

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Ives Prewar Wide Ga. Scarce 196 Harmony Creamery Flatcar w/two Tanks
Jun 12, 10:00 AM EDT
Ives Prewar Wide Ga. Scarce 196 Harmony Creamery Flatcar w/two Tanks
by Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists
Est: $10- $5,000
$1,10029 Bids
Rail King 30-20871-1 US Army RS-1 Diesel Engine W/Proto 3.0 OB
May 22, 10:00 AM EDT
Rail King 30-20871-1 US Army RS-1 Diesel Engine W/Proto 3.0 OB
by Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists
Est: $20- $250
$19012 Bids
Ives Prewar Wide Ga. Scarce no. 192 White Santa Fe Ventilator and Refrigerator Car w/Maroon Roof
Jun 12, 10:00 AM EDT
Ives Prewar Wide Ga. Scarce no. 192 White Santa Fe Ventilator and Refrigerator Car w/Maroon Roof
by Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists
Est: $10- $1,000
$17011 Bids
Rail King C&O Seven 60' Streamlined Car Passenger Set. 30-67863 & 30-67865 OB
May 22, 10:00 AM EDT
Rail King C&O Seven 60' Streamlined Car Passenger Set. 30-67863 & 30-67865 OB
by Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists
Est: $20- $300
$18011 Bids
Ives Prewar Wide Ga. no. 20-190 Orange Tank w/American Flyer Body and Ives Trucks
Jun 12, 10:00 AM EDT
Ives Prewar Wide Ga. no. 20-190 Orange Tank w/American Flyer Body and Ives Trucks
by Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists
Est: $10- $750
$19011 Bids
Rail King 30-1847-1 US ARMY USRA Steam Switcher Locomotive & Tender W/Proto 3.0 OB
May 22, 10:00 AM EDT
Rail King 30-1847-1 US ARMY USRA Steam Switcher Locomotive & Tender W/Proto 3.0 OB
by Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists
Est: $20- $350
$1108 Bids
K Line Pennsylvania Tuscan Red(Broadway) GG-1 W/Six Heavyweight Passenger Cars Sealed OB
May 22, 10:00 AM EDT
K Line Pennsylvania Tuscan Red(Broadway) GG-1 W/Six Heavyweight Passenger Cars Sealed OB
by Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists
Est: $20- $400
$1608 Bids
K Line Pennsylvania Brunswick GG-1 W/Six Heavyweight Passenger Cars Sealed OB
May 22, 10:00 AM EDT
K Line Pennsylvania Brunswick GG-1 W/Six Heavyweight Passenger Cars Sealed OB
by Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists
Est: $20- $400
$1607 Bids
Weaver Santa Fe Five Red Striped Car Passenger Set. OB
May 22, 10:00 AM EDT
Weaver Santa Fe Five Red Striped Car Passenger Set. OB
by Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists
Est: $20- $200
$1107 Bids
Weaver Pennsylvania Passenger Five Car Set
May 22, 10:00 AM EDT
Weaver Pennsylvania Passenger Five Car Set
by Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists
Est: $20- $180
$907 Bids
Ives Prewar O or Wide Ga. 332 Railroad Crossing Warning Bell Signal w/ Bell Mechanism Below the Cross Buck
Jun 12, 10:00 AM EDT
Ives Prewar O or Wide Ga. 332 Railroad Crossing Warning Bell Signal w/ Bell Mechanism Below the Cross Buck
by Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists
Est: $10- $250
$807 Bids
Ives Prewar Unusual Original Dealer Box with 10 14-Volt Clear Replacement Bulbs LIKE NEW
Jun 12, 10:00 AM EDT
Ives Prewar Unusual Original Dealer Box with 10 14-Volt Clear Replacement Bulbs LIKE NEW
by Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists
Est: $10- $900
$1106 Bids
Ives Prewar Wide Ga. Desirable Pass Cars from the 1079R National Limited Set 247 247 248 and 249
Jun 12, 10:00 AM EDT
Ives Prewar Wide Ga. Desirable Pass Cars from the 1079R National Limited Set 247 247 248 and 249
by Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists
Est: $10- $15,000
$5756 Bids
Six K-Line Desert Storm Diesel & Freight Cars.
May 22, 10:00 AM EDT
Six K-Line Desert Storm Diesel & Freight Cars.
by Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists
Est: $20- $110
$1006 Bids
Leland Detroit Manufacturing Co., Detroit Michigan Extra Motor Coach for the Model no. 2000 Monorail Elevated System
Jun 12, 10:00 AM EDT
Leland Detroit Manufacturing Co., Detroit Michigan Extra Motor Coach for the Model no. 2000 Monorail Elevated System
by Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists
Est: $10- $200
$2506 Bids
Weaver Southern Five Car Passenger Set. OB
May 22, 10:00 AM EDT
Weaver Southern Five Car Passenger Set. OB
by Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists
Est: $20- $200
$1106 Bids
Ives Prewar Wide Ga. Desirable Orange/Black Cars from the Olympian Set Set 1088 241 242 243
Jun 12, 10:00 AM EDT
Ives Prewar Wide Ga. Desirable Orange/Black Cars from the Olympian Set Set 1088 241 242 243
by Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists
Est: $10- $15,000
$3256 Bids
Ives Prewar O Ga. Lithographed Freight Set Special T 2 w/257 257T 1677 1679 16870 1682 Boxed
Jun 12, 10:00 AM EDT
Ives Prewar O Ga. Lithographed Freight Set Special T 2 w/257 257T 1677 1679 16870 1682 Boxed
by Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists
Est: $10- $500
$5255 Bids
Five Varney, Cary Locomotives, Lindsy, & Lawrence Lines Engine Kits. Berkshire, Switcher, I-1, 1784-K, & L-400.
May 22, 10:00 AM EDT
Five Varney, Cary Locomotives, Lindsy, & Lawrence Lines Engine Kits. Berkshire, Switcher, I-1, 1784-K, & L-400.
by Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists
Est: $20- $200
$905 Bids
Four Weaver EMD E-8 Dummy B Diesel Units. Southern Pacific, NYC, Southern, & Rock Island. OB
May 22, 10:00 AM EDT
Four Weaver EMD E-8 Dummy B Diesel Units. Southern Pacific, NYC, Southern, & Rock Island. OB
by Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists
Est: $20- $250
$705 Bids
Weaver Southern Pacific Five Car Passenger Set. OB
May 22, 10:00 AM EDT
Weaver Southern Pacific Five Car Passenger Set. OB
by Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists
Est: $20- $200
$1005 Bids
Leland Detroit Mfg. Co. Detroit Michigan Model no. 2000 Monorail Elevated System
Jun 12, 10:00 AM EDT
Leland Detroit Mfg. Co. Detroit Michigan Model no. 2000 Monorail Elevated System
by Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists
Est: $10- $2,000
$5005 Bids
Weaver Great Northern Five Car Passenger Set. OB
May 22, 10:00 AM EDT
Weaver Great Northern Five Car Passenger Set. OB
by Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists
Est: $20- $200
$1105 Bids
Two Mt. Albert Scale Models & Rags To Riches? Kits. General Store & Produce. OB
Jun 05, 10:00 AM EDT
Two Mt. Albert Scale Models & Rags To Riches? Kits. General Store & Produce. OB
by Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists
Est: $20- $200
$1605 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Model Trains & Railroads - General


Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists

Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists

Morphy Auctions

Morphy Auctions

Milestone Auctions

Milestone Auctions

Matthew Bullock Auctioneers

Matthew Bullock Auctioneers