Life in MiniatureDon't Sweat the Small Stuff!

If you're searching for the ideal gift for a young boy then the option of a train set is always a good idea to think about. It's an absolute classic gift for boys and it will be very well received. Ask any grown man if he can remember getting his first train set and you'll see exactly what I mean.

In days gone by, young boys often dreamed of being train drivers when they grew up. Things may be slightly different today, but there is still a certain magic about trains. They seem to have an enduring appeal which endears them to us even although other forms of transport are more widely used today. Whether you have a notion for the glory days of steam or, if you prefer more modern rolling stock, you can rest assured that your needs will be met.

Hornby Trains are far and away the best known manufacturer of model railways. One of the big advantages of Hornby's range is that it is standardised. The now famous oo system means that even if you start with a relatively basic set, you can add to it and expand it in time. So, if you choose to give a Hornby train set as a gift, the lucky child who receives it will be able to add more trains, more track and a wide variety of accessories according to their own design.

There's a wide variety of different sets on offer from Hornby. Younger children might find the "Thomas The Tank Engine" range entertaining. You can also get the "Hogwarts Express" - as featured in Harry Potter - for older children. Then there are the replicas of real locomotives - though whether these are toys or model trains is debatable.

If you crave the romance of the age of steam then you really are spoiled for choice. The Flying Scotsman and the Mallard are ever popular choices. There are plenty others to choose from - some of them "superstars" like the City of York for example, others are more mundane workhorses. Puffing Billies - but with their own functional beauty nonetheless.

Alternatively you could opt for a more modern, possibly a more utilitarian approach, and go for a diesel or electric set up. The class 52 diesel locomotive was, in its day, every bit as iconic as the Mallard and the Flying Scotsman - if somewhat less aesthetically pleasing.

The trains currently ploughing up and down the country are the Virgin Pendolinos. As you would expect, Hornby also offer a train set based on these train - and it really does tilt when it goes around the bends (something which the real thing wasn't always that good at).

Whether your intended gift recipient would prefer steam locos, grubby diesels of ultra modern electric trains, there's a Hornby model to suit. If they subsequently change their mind then the fact that the Hornby system is standardised means that they can change the theme of their train set very easily.

You can't beat a train set by Hornby Trains - it'll give years of pleasure and enjoyment. Check out the world famous Hornby Flying Scotsman - it's a great starter set.

categories: hobbies,toys,games,kids,model trains,entertainment,gifts