Join us! “A History of Toy Trains: An ‘O’ Gauge Perspective” on September 15 (7pm EST).

Discover the beginnings and early history of toy trains made in Britain, Europe and the United States, and how manufacturers marketed trains for Canada. Presenters will delve into the evolution of toy trains, from pull toys to simple clockwork mechanisms and beautifully decorated tinplate lithography, to the well engineered mechanical marvels of the early 1900’s.

The appeal of mechanical electric toy trains exploded in the Post WWII era, and the Golden Age of popularity was the late 1950’s and early 1960’s. After a generation of decline, the toy trains of today are enjoying an unprecedented resurgence, as manufacturers are now making modern remote-controlled electronic marvels, with full sounds and effects recorded from real steam and diesel locomotives. The session will close with a look at the toy trains of today.

Tickets for this event are free, although registration is required.

Attendees will get access to our exclusive Zoom meeting room, where they can engage directly with the presenter and museum historians in a post-lecture Q&A. The event will begin at 7pm Eastern Standard Time, and will end at 8:30pm EST.

PRESENTER

Kyle Miller was born and raised in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He graduated with a BSc from Dalhousie University in 1983. His Father was a lifelong railroader with CN and then VIA. After a career in music during the 80’s, Kyle spent 15 years in Toronto with Canada Post and IBM, before relocating to Vancouver in 2003. Kyle serves on the Board of Directors and volunteers at the Railway Museum of BC, and can frequently be seen driving Track Speeders and Mini-Rail Trains.

CO-PRESENTERS

Robin Dodson, CTTA, TCA, Historian, Toy Train Expert
Charles Reif, CTTA, TCA, Author, Historian, Toy Train Expert
Frank Schmidt, CTTA, TCA, Author, Historian, Toy Train Expert
James Barrett, CTTA, TCA, Author, Historian, Toy Train Expert
Mark Horne, CTTA Previous President, Author, Toy Train Expert