To ask you to tell me about model trains

[Stormy900]

Sorry, this isn't AIBU but I'm posting here for traffic!
My 12 yr old DS loves model trains, model villages, model people, anything really that's a tiny little model scene of real life.
There's a museum we visit in Bude that has a train and a train track going through model hills with model buildings and model people.
He's fascinated by them.
Can I buy this for him to build and set up a scene?
Where can I get this stuff from? I don't know what to search for on Google. All I can find is round train tracks and trains that go round in a circle. I want to find this but alongside a village or town scene with lots of little things that he can build and add and set up to create a scene.
He'd love it so much, but what is it I'm looking for?
The people in the museum scene are tiny little metal models.
Does anyone else have a child into this?
Can anyone advise me on where to look or what to buy?
Thank you!

I don't know much about them, but understand they come in different sizes from tiny little things up to 1/12th of real size. Hornby would be a good starting point?

Search for “train model shop” or “railway model shop”. There are plenty of tucked away dusty shops that sell this stuff.

https://www.railwaymodelstore.co.uk/scenery/

Hornby Trains is best. It tends to be the standard scale for most model railway set ups.
Hornby make the trains and also the sets/parts to build scenery. Other brands are available too - you just have to get the same scale (which as I said Hornby is the 'standard' one).
As for buying.
Independent model/toy shops - you do have to seek them out because there isn't many around.
Online - eBay etc.
Local "collectable" fairs - have a look online at what's in your area. There are often small fairs going on in community halls etc.
Warning..... it's an expensive hobby.

Well, as a father this is something I know about ;-)

Building a proper nice model is something that you can spend a whole retirement on (and plenty of people do that). A Hornby starter set would be the usual thing to go for (and that can always be extended). There should be plenty of websites/modelling shops where you can get a couple of scale models of buildings, cars and people. You would need to decide on a scale (OO or HO being the standard, that's about 1:80). That's a good compromise: smaller scale gets too fiddly for kids and for larger you need a garden. Model train stuff can get quite expensive, but you can usually pick good bargains on Ebay (or car boot sales).

When my DS was that age (and DD as well actually) they absolutely loved the annual model railway exhibition in Glasgow (hobbyists and clubs showing off their models) - have a look there must be something near you. And if you ever find yourself in northern Germany: there is the world largest model railway in Hamburg ("Miniatur Wunderland") - that's a full days worth to see it, but again, my kids (and I admit myself included) have been going on about it for months after being there.

Start off with a Hornby 00 set and a (large, table sized) piece of hardboard and you can go from there, adding to it as you can with track sections, etc. He can also start making his own things (mount them on a thinner board so they can be easily removed and replaced.

Get used to things like papier-mache and conversations about Sir Nigel Gresley being better then Mallard and him speaking in codes (4-6-2, GWR 4073 Castle Class 4-6-0). And possibly settling on one particular rail company. GWR is the most likely where you are.

Add in miniature cars, bridges, trees, vegetation to match the geography/biome of the areas, lots of days trailing around steam fairs and conventions and he'll be occupied for the next 60 years or so.

Be prepared to need a bigger house with at least a triple garage that will never house cars. Then prepare to re-mortgage the new house. You won't be able to work to service the new mortgage because you'll be too busy visiting exhibitions for ideas, or scouring obscure websites for 'just that one piece to finish it off'.
Only it's never finished off....there's always a meadow view to be sorted, or a hut needed down a siding, or the platforms at HappyTown need refurbishing.

Oh, I forgot.

If he also gets interested in the real thing, you can expect him to disappear off every summer weekend to volunteer at a heritage railway. Which could be a bonus as much as a curse if there's only so many times you can empty the vacuum cleaner in search of the world's smallest dog on a lead without wishing you could do a full on Gulliver style attack on the Lilliputian Mass Transit Network.

Just to say that while Hornby tends to be the go-to, Bachmann are another supplier who do starter sets and their models are fully compatible with Hornby (and very good quality) The following are all good suppliers I've used - there are others of course.. Always worth shopping round for reductions.

https://railsofsheffield.com
https://www.kernowmodelrailcentre.com
https://www.hattons.co.uk

Hornby trains is the best website to start with. There are different scales for modelling. Oo is the most popular 1/72 scale so an oval is around 6 foot by 4 foot. TT is a newer scale but as about 1/120 scales but little available. n gauge is 1/148 and good if you like to he landscape. I'd suggest 00 to start.
Lots of add on packs with track, and if others know he is a modeller, very handy for presents, whether engines, wagons or coaches or even just wee people, animals, houses etc etc from crazy prices to pocket money.

You could buy this year’s hornby catalogue to start him off, and have some ideas. Hornby also has ‘the hornby book of model railways’ which is only about £8 and a great intro.

Be prepared for it to take over a whole room, and to spend an absolute fortune.

My DH, who has been into this stuff his whole life, tells me you should look at ukmodelshops.co.uk
this has details of model shops, model clubs, events, on line suppliers and more for the whole UK.
I would also suggest you contact your local railway model club who are likely to welcome him, and are a great source of imformation.

Railway Modeller Magazine is packed full of stuff every month. Often available at big stores like Tesco or Smiths at Motorway service stations that have magazines.
The Museum near Didcot in Oxfordshire has probably the most detailed and accurate one.

Google model railway club and you may find something near you. (Or share your rough location) It will be geared to adults but there are normally a number of youngsters as well. A couple of magazines is a good idea. whsmiths do the best selection but tesco normally have railway modeller. A visit to a local stockist to have a look and choose a starter pack would be better than you trying to buy something.

As it happens I have just bought a starter set from Hornby for DH (66!) While the starter set only has an oval of track, on the back of the box there are illustrations of all the things you can buy to add to your layout and I think these include buildings and things.

I got him an OO set as this looked like it has the most possibbilites. Flying Scotsman.

I foresee an absorbing hobby for retirement! Actually whole I can take or leave the trains I would be very interested in helping him build a miniature landscape...

My late DH used to be a bit of a model railway nut.

If you're near Bude, there's a good model railway shop not far away in Holsworthy. Take him to chat to the guy in there, who will have loads of ideas for how to start building a layout. Agree there is bound to be a model railway club in the area.

It won't be a cheap hobby, you can spend a fortune on building a layout.

One-time only offer - I live about an hour from Bude and still have several boxes of DH's stuff in the loft - trains, track, buildings, transformer etc which I still haven't got round to passing on. Neither of my DDs is interested. If you think your DS would like it, PM me and maybe we can arrange something??

If you're ever near Seaton, pop into pecorama. It's the Peko model train manufacturer, and they've opened a fab little place. They've got examples of all the different layouts you can have in different rooms of the house. The guys in the shop are brilliant and talk you through what you need.
If you have time there's also lovely gardens, a playground, wooden trains to play with, and a miniature steam railway you can ride on.

Another vote for Hornby. It's not cheap, but lasts a lifetime if you look after it. Is there a model shop you can visit or even just phone for advice on where to start?

It can become a family hobby OP. I made trees from wire and coated them in green bits.
Pendon Museum, bringing the past to life - Abingdon, Oxfordshire

Check on parking and facilities if you visit.

You definitely don't need to be a Dad to talk about this stuff 🙄

I am making a dining table with a working model railway in it. It will have a perspex top. First thing to choose is a gauge (I chose oo as it's widely available) and I recommend a Hornby starter set. I then chose an era and what I HAD to have eg mine is based on the 1900s pit village where I come from and essentials to have were a "working" mine, pottery works and terraced houses. Then hills for sledding, a train depot and a mill. And so on. I search online or go to local sale meets, plus a dusty old shop tucked away out of nowhere.

I've found local knowledge invaluable. Go and meet the local club and introduce yourself to the nearest shop owner. They will help so, so much.

And let people know you're interested in it as a hobby as lots of people have bits languishing in lofts and I've had some very kind and wonderful gifts from friends.

Oh and definitely remortgage and/or win the lottery.

Hornby is a well known place in the uk for Hornby model trains. Advice :: Hornby Hobbies they also have a advice section on their webpage. You can also find them across most social platforms. Their videos are great inspiration.