- 1 July, 2006 -

The mention of model trains to almost any American will conjure images of circles of track around Christmas trees long past. While such nostalgic feelings seem common to us all, many people don't realize that the model railroading hobby is not only alive and well ? but enjoying its greatest success ever. Never before have so many trains been available. There are scores of major manufacturers, and hundreds of smaller companies to make the creation of an outstanding and realistic model railroad an attainable goal for anyone. Production, delivery and distribution have never been better, and the quality of today's model railroading products far exceeds anything previously available. The "golden age"of model railroading is now! The World's Greatest Hobby on Tour, sponsored by several industry majors, held shows in Edison, NJ; St. Louis, MO; Long Beach, CA; and Denver, CO earlier this year.The four shows, each of which ran two days, attracted over 100,000 people ? many who were introduced to model railroading for the first time! Entire families marveled at manufacturers' displays, operating layouts, clinics, a Thomas the Tank Engine playground, and how-to demonstrations. Another tour will start later this year. Trains today are available in several scales, from large scale models that can be run outdoors in garden settings to tiny Z Scale trains that make an entire railroad in a briefcase a possibility. In between these extremes, the major scales are O, S, HO, and N. Each scale has one or more magazines devoted to it, and there are several magazines that feature all scales. Within each scale there exists specialized interests. Modelers choose an era to model, from Civil War to present day. Some enjoy track planning, others the creation of beautiful scenery. Some craft individual cars or locomotives for display only while others enjoy operating scale length trains on precise schedules. For the computer oriented, the new DCC technology allows independent operation of multiple trains on a single track. Bachmann's new EZ Command makes this control affordable and simple to master. One aspect unchanged from years ago is the family bonding that a model railroad can bring. Although the advertisements and catalogs of the 50's showed dad and son running the railroad while mom and sis looked on from a respectful distance - today, the entire family is often involved, a change for the better for sure! There's never been a better time to try model railroading. Visit your local hobby shop to see what appeals to you ? and welcome aboard!- The Bach-man Who Is the Bach-man? Model railroaders who opened their first Big Haulers set in the late 1980's found a comic-book-style instruction manual featuring a cartoon super hero ? complete with cape and engineer's hat ? who was there to help them set up their set quickly and easily. Who was that (un)masked man? Who is the Bach-man? After graduating from Toon U with such luminaries as Superman, Batman, and Tate, the Aristocraft Train Engineer, the Bach-man went to Philadelphia to help new model railroaders everywhere. He expanded his role in the mid-90's to include the Bach-man's Board, where questions are posted and answered virtually every day of the year. Post your question at: www.bachmanntrains.com His alter-ego is a retired elementary school teacher who works closely with Director of Product Development Lee Riley building and painting prototypes for future production. He regularly attends shows around the country, including the World's Greatest Hobby on Tour. Drop by and say hello! HobbyTown USA

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