Model Trains: The Miniature World That Took Over Basements (and Christmas Trees) in the 1950s

Before video games, before remote-controlled cars, and long before the internet stole everyone’s attention, there were model trains—the ultimate pastime for hobbyists, dreamers, and dads with way too much time on their hands around the holidays.

In the 1950s, model trains weren’t just a hobby; they were a lifestyle. Every Christmas, living rooms transformed into tiny railroads, with locomotives chugging their way around the Christmas tree, delighting kids and adults alike. But for the truly dedicated, the passion didn’t stop when the tree came down. No, the real model train enthusiasts spent months—sometimes years—crafting elaborate worlds for their miniature locomotives to explore.

The official start of the season: when the tree goes up, and Dad's train gets first dibs on the living room real estate.

The Golden Age of Model Trains

The 1950s were the golden years for model railroading. Lionel, American Flyer, and Marx were the big names in the business, cranking out trains that ran on electricity and captured the imaginations of hobbyists everywhere. Some train sets were simple ovals of track meant for Christmas morning, but others—oh, others—became sprawling masterpieces, complete with mountains, tunnels, bridges, and tiny little towns that looked like something straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting.

People got creative. They used plaster to build mountains, painted backdrops to create realistic scenery, and even wired up tiny streetlights so their towns could “come alive” at night. And let’s not forget the level of patience required—perfecting a train setup was not for the faint of heart. There were tracks to align, engines to maintain, and of course, the occasional runaway train that derailed and sent miniature citizens into chaos.

Mountains made of plaster, tunnels carved with care, and a runaway train or two—step into the golden age of model railroading.

Click on the image below to play the video.

Penny’s Legendary Train Setup

Now, if you think people took their train setups seriously, you haven’t met Penny. Penny didn’t just set up a model train—he engineered an entire world in the basement of his Glassport home. Each year, he transformed his pool table into a massive train display, laying down sheets of plywood to create the perfect foundation.

But Penny wasn’t just about tracks and trains. No, he took things to a whole new level. He used coffee grounds to create realistic dirt, hand-painted tiny details, and spent weeks meticulously arranging every piece to perfection. His setup became so impressive that one year, the local newspaper even came to do a write-up on it. While Penny never did it for the attention, it’s safe to say his trains were the stuff of legend.

And honestly, isn’t that what model trains are all about? It’s more than just a hobby—it’s a labor of love, a testament to patience, creativity, and maybe just a touch of obsession.

Penny, mid-tinker in the basement—somewhere in that glorious chaos of mountains, smokestacks, and tiny towns was a train. Probably.

Why Model Trains Still Matter

Though their heyday was in the 1950s, model trains never truly went out of style. Today, there are still clubs, collectors, and enthusiasts who keep the tradition alive, building massive layouts that would make any train lover jealous. Modern technology has only made things more elaborate, with digital controls, sound effects, and even tiny cameras that let you see what it’s like to “ride” the train.

But at its core, model railroading is still the same: a chance to create, to imagine, and to build something truly special—just like Penny did, year after year. And if you really want to set the scene, a little The Tree of '53 filling the air with fresh spruce can make your Christmas tree—and the train circling it—feel like a trip straight to a winter wonderland. Or go all in with ’Twas the Night to add that cozy, pine and cranberry sweetness and warmth, because let’s be honest—model trains and Christmas nostalgia go together like a conductor’s hat and a pocket watch.

Penny beside his beloved blue spruce—his tree of choice every Christmas, and always the one under which the trains would run.

So whether you’re setting up a simple track around the Christmas tree or dedicating an entire room to your own miniature railroad empire, just remember: model trains aren’t just about the trains. They’re about the stories, the memories, and the magic of bringing a little world to life—one tiny track at a time.

Did you—or someone in your family—have a legendary train setup? A Christmas tradition that involved more duct tape and fake snow than you'd like to admit? We'd love to hear about it. Share your favorite train memories in the comments below!