Online Lecture: A History of Toy Trains

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 AVAILABLE HERE

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 

ABOUT THE TORONTO RAILWAY MUSEUM (TRM)

The Toronto Railway Museum (TRM) brings people together by telling stories of Toronto’s railway heritage. The Museum is located in the heart of downtown Toronto and is typically open year-round. TRM presents exhibits, tours, educational programs and publications that broaden the understanding and appreciation of Toronto’s rich railway history. TRM is committed to telling the stories of the railways, and welcoming conversations of its varied experiences through its lecture series, exhibits and integrated programming with a mission to learn from the past to make the future better.

 The Toronto Railway Museum would like to acknowledge the support of the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s Community Building Fund. More information is available here.