Design origins and developments Wooden toy train

3d ldraw rendering of wooden toy locomotive in style of heros around 1970

early sets such of skaneateles, eichhorn , brio seem have used rather simple , abstract designs. pieces not painted, trains , tracks had same surface. normal trains had engines , wagons each carved single piece of wood , connected hooks , eyes. painted sets may have become common in 1970s, did use of magnets connectors. engines carved single block commonly painted black in europe bright red funnels , wheels. trains made construction sets , large pull-along trains may have influenced other train designs built of several wood pieces ( cut broomstick design among others). each wooden piece had own color, engine, example, sport 6 different colors: 1 each base plate, cylindrical boiler, drivers cabin, cabin roof, funnels , wheels. sets painted patterns seem have become more popular in late 1980s , 1990s. may have been due success of thomas tank engine series , wish more realistic real world designs.

as of 2007 there seem several design trends:

one group seems emphasize material wood. simple roots designs, while others take more artistic approach, searching new ways abstract train theme.
another group tries stay true material wood use more realistic designs series based on famous real life trains.
a modern view use more , more plastic , build battery powered , remote controlled objects, electronic devices gaining ground.
specialty trains specific purposes alphabet trains , name trains, decoration sets birthday trains candles , promotional designs special events.

train tables popular way set trains , railways, fixed versions placed in waiting rooms @ hospitals, doctors offices, or other places entertainment children may offered. way stay off ground , not necessary take apart track after built! wooden railway layouts based on wtrak module standard have become part of model railroad shows in united states - starting in pacific northwest in 2009.