Articles: Model Trains

Collecting Aster model trains


Aster model trains are one of the most enjoyable brands of model trains that you can collect. Aster model trains provide the collector with endless opportunities to engage in their hobby, from restoring trains to building new tracks to designing new scenery. Whether you just want to display your collection of Aster model trains or whether you actually intend to operate them on a track, these trains are some of the best you can collect.

The "post-war" category is where most of the Aster model trains fit. These are the trains that many collectors started with as children, and so their approach to collecting model trains is often different than those that collect vintage model trains. These trains aren't necessarily as detailed or as accurate as the older sorts, but these collectors don't mind. They don't expect realism from their model trains. The postwar trains, such as the Aster model trains, were usually built with the same high-quality metal materials that train collectors from the prewar category have come to appreciate. Unlike modern model trains, most of the postwar model trains, such as Aster model trains, operate on fuel engines instead of electricity.

Aster model trains were produced in Japan. The classic Aster train, the Aster "Schools" Class 4-4-0, was built originally in 1975. Only 3,000 of the Aster "Schools" Class 4-4-0 were produced, and they are one of the most sought-after model trains among postwar model train collectors. The Aster "Schools" Class 4-4-0 featured a 1:32 scale, two double-acting, D-Valve cylinders, Lubricator displacement, boiler smithies, a fittings throttle, blower and two safety valves, as well as many other features. If you want to collect Aster model trains and you are able to acquire one of these, the Aster "Schools" Class 4-4-0 will be the prize of your collection.

The growing market for model trains has made it harder and harder to collect Aster model trains. The dearth of new hobbyists has driven prices for Aster model trains up over the last several years. Still, this larger group of model train collectors also means that collectors have more opportunities to share their love of model trains with others.