The manufactures take a lot of time recreating period models, and some can even be a handcrafted scale of a real locomotive, down to its name and logo. Model steam trains are not cheap, even if you get a kit.
Scale scenery can be purchased in prefabricated kits, or can be ordering online. You can also create your own; this larger scale can go good with homemade items.
Model steam trains aren't just found at museums, at home, or in a garden setting. There are companies that actually make real working models, some just 1/8th the size of a real train!
If you have a piece of land that is not being utilized to its fullest potential, this may be a good idea for you. If you just purchased a piece of property, and plan on starting your new home, this may be a great addition to your plans.
You could certainly expand your ideas a great deal. There are some good manufacturers of model steam trains of this size, and offer complete kits, that you put together on site.
With the economy the way it is, this would be the ideal time to invest in something like a real working train. Materials are at rock bottom prices, and foundries are scrambling for work.
It could up you property values tens of thousands of dollars in some cases, depending on how elaborate the layout. Imagine for a moment that you have a house on some land.
The house is away from the edge of the property. You have invited guests over and when they arrive, you greet them from your own riding train.
This could be an exciting, leisurely way to show people your place. You could even stop at the working water tower and have them help you fill the steam chamber.
Then you could continue on the journey, showing them the barn and corral, or your garden area, or any number of different things, all ending at the front door of the house. This would also be ideal for a bed and breakfast, a hunting lodge, and a number of other ideas.
If you purchase one of these trains, traditionally they have gone up in value, and give better returns on the investment. Once you have set up the engine itself, you can always order other car kits, or order wheel, couplers, and hardware, and create your own cars, customized for your own needs.
While they won't be able to pull extremely heavy loads, they can haul many things around your property, feed and supplies, harvests from your fields, just to name a few. You can find pictures from real people who have invested in these trains online.
You can also locate not only live model steam train dealers, but also smaller scale models as well. Just take your time and familiarize yourself as much as you can before you start buying.
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