How does a lifelong interest in model railways begin?

For some, it's a parent or grandparent buying that first train set. For others, it's seeing a model railway at an exhibition, watching real trains or simply pushing a wooden locomotive around a BRIO railway. At Rainbow Railways, we believe encouraging that first spark is important. With phones, tablets and gaming competing for so much of our attention, hobbies that encourage youngsters to build, create, solve problems and use their imagination have an important part to play. And we're fortunate here at Linlithgow Bridge to see that journey begin at a very early age.

From BRIO to a First Train Set

Rainbow Railways shares its building with Playbugs Softplay, which is owned by Rainbow director Mark Darragh. Playbugs caters for youngsters from the crawling stage through to around 10 years old, welcoming around 200 children and their families during a typical week. Next door at Rainbow, youngsters can discover a very different type of play. Our BRIO wooden railway play table is permanently set up in the shop, and it's there to be played with. We stock around 30 products from the wider BRIO range, giving families plenty of options when they want to start a wooden railway at home or add to one they already have. For some children, that's their introduction to the world of trains. And there's plenty more to discover. We stock Ravensburger jigsaws, Toyway wooden construction kits and dinosaurs, CaDA brick-building sets and beginner radio-controlled vehicles from Double E alongside model kits from brands including Airfix and Bandai.

But inevitably, we're Rainbow Railways – and sooner or later we get to the trains!

Choosing That First Proper Train Set

We regularly meet parents and grandparents who know that a youngster loves trains but have absolutely no idea what they should buy. And that's completely understandable. OO? N? Analogue? DCC? What's a controller? How much track do you need? How big does the board have to be? Can you add to the set later?

For somebody completely new to model railways, what seems straightforward to an experienced modeller can quickly become confusing. That's where we're happy to help. Rather than simply pointing towards a box on a shelf, we can talk through what the youngster is interested in, the space available and what the family hopes to do with the railway. If you're planning something more permanent, we'll even help with track planning and advise on what you'll need to turn that first train set into a proper layout.

There is no requirement to understand model railways before walking into Rainbow Railways. That's what we're here for.

From First Train Set to Model Railway

One of the great things about this hobby is that there is always something else to learn. A basic oval of track can become a siding. Then perhaps a station appears. Buildings are added. Scenery follows. Suddenly someone wants points, signals and lighting. Before long they're learning about paints, modelling materials, landscapes and how the real railway operates. And for those who want to take things further, Rainbow can continue helping with track, scenery, tools and modelling materials through to Digital Command Control (DCC), locomotive sound and much more advanced railway control. It's a hobby that can combine creativity, electronics, woodworking, history, research, problem solving and artistic skills – often without the modeller even realising how much they're learning along the way.

From Young Enthusiast to Exhibition Modeller – at Just 17

Occasionally we're fortunate enough to see where encouraging that early interest can lead. One young local railway enthusiast first came to our attention through a nearby model railway club. The club was helping to nurture his interest and, as time went on, we watched his enthusiasm and modelling develop. He didn't just build his own model railway. He built an exhibition layout. Today he's only 17 years old, has already exhibited his first layout and is now building his second. We're deliberately not naming him here, but his story is one we're particularly pleased to have watched develop. It also demonstrates something important about the model railway community. Retailers such as Rainbow can provide advice and equipment, but clubs, exhibitions, experienced modellers and, importantly, supportive parents and grandparents all play a part in encouraging the next generation.

A Hobby That Can Last a Lifetime

Rainbow Railways today serves railway modellers throughout the UK. At the specialist end of the hobby we supply highly detailed locomotives and rolling stock, track and scenery, DCC equipment and sound-fitted models, as well as providing specialist advice and services to experienced modellers. We work with the leading names in British model railways and have been involved in our own exclusive and collaborative models. Yet despite all the sophistication of modern model railways, everyone has to start somewhere. That's why we're just as happy helping a grandparent who knows nothing about model railways choose a youngster's first train set as we are discussing DCC, sound and highly detailed locomotives with an experienced modeller. Because that first train set matters. The youngster playing with BRIO today might ask for an electric train next. That train might become a layout. That layout might develop skills and friendships. And, as we've already seen locally, that youngster might eventually take their own creation to a model railway exhibition.

Today's BRIO railway on the play table could be tomorrow's exhibition layout.

And we'd love to help them get there.