Life in MiniatureDon't Sweat the Small Stuff!

The gift of a train set is something which will always be well received by a young child. It will give many hours of pleasure and fun and will, with a little care and attention, last for many years. It's not uncommon for a good quality train set to be handed down from one generation to the next. Those are just some of the reasons why a train set is such a great gift idea.

Very often a child's first introduction to model railways will come in the form of a boxed starter set given to them as a Christmas gift or perhaps a birthday present. Companies such as Hornby Trains offer a wide range of complete boxed sets with different themes.

Some sets are intended for a particular age range - younger kids might find the Thomas The Tank Engine sets appealing - other sets are built around a particular style of engine. Needless to say, the romance of the age of steam means that steam locomotives are an ever popular choice - but more modern sets based upon diesel or electric locos are also well represented.

Apart from the theme of the set, it's worthwhile giving some consideration to the layout of the track. Some sidings for the train to back in and out of will usually produce a layout that's more entertaining than a straight circular or oval arrangement. Youngsters will enjoy picking up freight in sidings for transport around the track.

And don't forget, a starter set is just that - somewhere to start from. Later on, more track, extra trains and a whole range of additional accessories can be added. This can be a great deal of fun in itself. Encourage your child to think up and design new layouts and then implement them. Give them a budget even. It will really stimulate their creativity.

The addition of just a few well chosen accessories can really breathe life into a model train set. The Hornby Skaledale collection of accessories includes a wide choice of miniature people, vehicles, buildings, farm animals, scenery, etc. - and all at just the right scale for use with the ubiquitous Hornby oo gauge train sets. There are accessories which are appropriate to different eras so that you can get something suitable whether you have a steam, diesel or electric train set.

A op quality train set will last for years, during which time it will provide a great deal of pleasure and entertainment for children and adults alike. It can be added to and enhanced over time and will really engage any child's imagination and creativity. It's no wonder that train sets have been such a popular gift for year - and no surprise that, even with distractions like video game to compete with, they are just as popular today as they ever were.

A Hornby train set is a gift that will give fun and entertainment for many years to come. Check out the Hornby oo range of trains and accessories today and see if there's anything you fancy.