Love of trains and railroads drives rail fans to study and collect objects related to railroads. Rail fans range from children playing with model trains to adults who follow everything railroad. Rail fans enjoy receiving gifts related to their interest in trains.
Trains are a fascinating subject. The railroad is an important part of transportation around the world. Before there were cars and trucks, trains were the most sophisticated manner of transporting goods and people across the countryside.
Trains drove the development of the wild west in the United States. Towns sprung up along the rail line. Trains were a boon the economy in the areas they serviced. The early steam locomotive gave way to powerful diesel locomotives.
Just as in fans of vintage cars, rail fans have a variety of interests. Rail fans may prefer vintage steam locomotive, diesel engines or model trains. For the most successful gift giving, find out what aspect of trains they are most interested in and pursue that.
Following are gift suggestions for rail fans.
1. Model Trains. Does the rail fan have a model train layout? If possible, find out what they already have and what they need. Model trains come in a number of different scales, of sizes. The rail fan may enjoy adding a new scale model engine or car to their existing display. Ask the rail fan what scale their layout is in. They will probably be happy to tell you about their model train in conversation
2. Model Train Boxed Set It the rail fan doesn’t have a model train, they may enjoy a new layout. Hobby shops and hardware stores offer layouts with everything needed for a model train layout. These pre-boxed layouts include an engine, cars, tracks and electrical components. The boxed sets are a great start for a new hobby for the rail fan.
3. Miniature Villages. Model train layouts can be as simple or complex as the rail fan makes them. Village collections, such as Department 56, David Winter Cottages or Lilliput Lane Cottages add atmosphere to the model train layout. Models of buildings, shrubbery, cars and people fill out the model train layout and make it more interesting. Miniature villages can be found at hobby stores and gift stores.
4. Train Books. Tabletop books with pictures and descriptions of trains are great gifts for rail fans. Trains are an important part of transportation history. Rail fans often find the books fascinating to read. Trains books can be found at the local bookstore.
5. Railroad Watch. Rail employees use special time pieces. crafted for accuracy and durability. The classic image of the conductor with a pocket watch is replaced by more modern wrist watches. Find an authentic railroad watch for the rail fan. An authentic railroad watch may be hard to find, but is worth the effort. I have seen railroad watches on Ebay.
6. Pocket Watch and Chain.Rail employees from the romantic era of travel used pocket watches with chains to keep track of time. Jewelry stores may sell reproductions of these watches. Shop the antique shops or Ebay to find an an authentic vintage railroad pocket watch and chain.
7. Calendar. The rail fan will enjoy looking at a railroad calendar with pictures of trains. Train calendars can be found at book stores or through through train publications. Trains Magazine sells quality calendars. CNJ Project 113 is selling a calendar as a fund raiser for restorations of Central Railroad of New Jersey steam locomotive number 113. The calender has color cover pictures and black and white pictures within. The pictures are of the Reading, Pennsylvania and Lehigh Valley railroads in Schuykill County, PL. Calendars: $7 for one, $13 for two or $19 for three. These prices include shipping. Send to Railway Restoration Project 113, 113 E. Sunbury St., Minersville, PA 17954.
8. Excursion Tickets. Is there a train excursion line near the rail fan? There are vintage rail clubs throughout the country that sponsor occasional excursion trains. These train trips usually run a limited schedule and are special events.Some train lines offer dinner excursion trains. Find an event and purchase tickets as a gift to the rail fan.
9. Digital Camera. Help the rail fan to preserve precious memories with a digital camera that they can use to take pictures of trains.. Digital cameras can be found at a local camera store or electronics store.
10. Camcorder. The rail fan can use a camcorder to record moving trains. Purchase a camcorder at the local camera store or electronics store.
11. Trains Magazine. A subscription to Trains Magazine delights the rail fan year around. The Trains Magazine website offers subscriptions to Trains, Model Railroader Magazine, Classic Toy Trains, Garden Railways Magazine and Classic Trains Magazine.
Read a light hearted look at How Not to Cut Down Your Own Christmas Tree here.
Enjoy the spirit of Xmas during the holiday season.
