Collecting Dinky Toys

When I was growing up in the south-east of England, the most desirable toy for most boys and some girls was a Dinky Toy - 1/43rd scale diecast model cars. I started to collect them in the late 1950s. At that time most Dinky Toy cars were 2/6d (Two shillings and six pence - about 25 cents in US money) and they came in a distinctive yellow box. They had actually been around since the early 1930s originally called "Modelled Miniatures" and intended mainly for use around train sets, the BIG boys' toy of the time, but they took on a life of their own and were manufactured in both England and France for many years.

For me their heyday was the fifties and sixties. Compared to today's top of the range diecast cars, they were, let's admit, pretty basic. No windows, no interiors, no 'suspension', no steering, but to me they were the most prized and sought after toy of all!

With television in its infancy in the fifties in the UK and much of the programming being bought from America, the appeal of flashy American cars seen in cop shows and films, as opposed to the rather more staid Hillmans and Austins of the UK was reflected in the choice of Dinky Toys I would spend my hard-earned pocket money on.

The Dinky Toys Dodge Royal, the Plymouth Plaza, the Hudson Commodore were all cars that any self-respecting boy had to own! But there were other models that were also a must - the Observation Coach (bus) for example, with its weird looking upper deck was a favorite of mine.

Gradually Dinky Toys added new features, under competition from other makes, like Corgi Toys. First were plastic windows, then gradually seats were put in, 'independent suspension' for all four wheels became all the rage , and finally steering. All these new features were seized upon with glee by me and my friends!

But the days of the Dinky Toy were numbered and in the seventies the end was near, brought on partly by competition from the new Hot Wheels, and although several attempts were made by new owners to revive the famous Dinky Toys name, they are now long since defunct.

Collectors though still seek out the toys and a good mint condition toy, preferably with mint condition box, can change hands for enormous sums. Dinky Toys, even in play-worn condition, are one of the best sellers on eBay.

I will never have a full collection - some are so rare that if one ever surfaces it will be way beyond my pocket, but I will always be on the lookout for a good condition Dinky.

Bob Wilson is a Brit now living in Los Angeles who collects vintage Dinky Toys

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The G Scale Model Train - Big Toys For the Big Boys

Trains are not just toys for kids, especially now in a time where the hobby of collecting model railroads (or more popularly known as locomotives) are on the rise to become one of the world's oldest and most popular hobbies. The G scale locomotive, a large kind of locomotive, is gaining popularity as it is literally a big toy for a big boy.

Why are G scale trains so popular to hobbyists? G scale trains are popular for its large size (it is the largest of the most popular scales). The G scale is a part of the group of large scale trains which all run on a Number 1 gauge track (45 mm between rails). These model locomotives are calculated by the ratio of the toy train to a real train. The G scale locomotive boasts a ratio of 1:22 which means it is one twenty-second of the size of an actual train prototype. This means that it only takes 22 G scale locomotives lined up to match the prototype in length.

There are other popular types of large miniature trains. The O scale (still a part of the large train group) has a ratio of 1:48, lower than that of the G scale (actually half the size of the G scale). However, almost nothing can match the G scale locomotives in size. These locomotives are extremely large compared to regular toy trains.

G in the term G scale is believed to come from the term Garden Railroading. It can also be because of the German word groß. Groß literally means large which is appropriate in view of the fact that these models started out in Germany. These models are about 26.7 inches in length and 6.0 inches in height.

The first G scale locomotive was pioneered by Ernst Paul Lehmann. Patentwerk, a German company, referred to as Lehmann Gross Bahn (Lehmann Big Train in English) was founded on this type of train. Patentwerk started out in 1881. The company then branched out to the USA where LGB of America was founded. Aristocraft and Bachmann are only some of the well-known manufacturers of G scales in America.

G scale locomotives are also perfect for children since small trains are not suitable for kids. These trains are easily broken due to their small size. With their small parts and potential choking hazards, these trains aren't kid's toys. The N scale is only about 4.8 inches in length and about 1.1 inches in height, thus making it a small train unfit for kid use.

G scale locomotives are recommended for outdoor types of hobbyists. Since G scale trains are very durable and are suitable for gardens. The G scale tracks are usually brass-made so these types of trains do not need to be maintained a lot. Sometimes, a solitary swab of clean cloth on the tracks is all you need to keep it clean. These big locomotives are popular in the market nowadays due to the fact that they are very durable, thus making them last for a long, long period of time and can be handed down to different generations.

The hobby of collecting miniature locomotives is a good way to release the inner child in you. Especially with the G scale model train, it is truly a big toy for the big boys.

James Stonebright is a model train enthusiast and loves collecting the different types of toy model train. For more great information on G Scale Model Trains, visit http://www.ModelTrainsGalore.com.

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Baby Toys That Help Your Baby's Development For Up to One Years Old

There are many things you need to help your baby develop during this early stage and the most important things are feeding, changing and lots of love from the parents and family of course. All too soon that little bundle of joy will start to become a little person who has his or her own personality and starts to look around and begin to learn about the world around him or her.

It will start with shiny or light objects such as jewellery, television or your mobile phone and once your baby starts observing these things, they are ready and aware of the world around them, enough to start interacting with things.

There are many items on the market that improve a baby's development and help stimulate their world but the following items are ones that will cover all the aspects important for your baby.

A Shape Sorter - There are many models out there made from various materials like wood and plastics. Some will make sounds as the shapes are put through the container and some are more basic, but it will not matter to your baby. At this stage, they're learning from you, so it will be all about your interactions with the shape sorter that they will learn what it's all about. Talking about what the shapes are and their colours and where they go and celebrating when you have put the shape through, will all be your actions to begin with but as baby grows, they will hold the shapes and then learn to put them in. Once they are toddlers, they can tell you the shape and colours too. This toy will be one you play with and learn from, then hide it for a few months and then play with again and see how much your child has developed in terms of knowledge and understanding, as well as physical skills.

Stacking Cups - They are also great beginner toys, as to begin with your baby will simply hold them and may even hold two one in each hand and bang them together, which is an important part of their first years development. As your baby progresses, you can really play with them, stacking up the cups as fast as you can, before they knock it down and then on to them trying to stack the cups on their own. Again talking about size and colour can go hand in hand with stacking cups and you can even get creative and hide things under them to see if baby remembers which cup it's under. This toy will also be hours of fun at this early stage and they will learn so much through the interaction with you.

Books are an amazing way for your baby to learn and there are hundreds of different types out there from bath books to buggy books, textured books, flap books, noisy books, alphabet and character books. Your baby will love looking at simplistic colourful pictures and hearing your voice, so books are the perfect way to help a child learn the basics of phonics, which is the key to communication through speaking and reading and writing later on in life.

Anyway you can stimulate your child's world will help them to learn something new, which is the cornerstone of their development, and if you can have fun too, you are helping them be happy and contented.

Felicity is a freelance journalist, writing occasional articles in the US about free SSL certificates for SSL 247, who specialise in GlobalSign and VeriSign SSL certs

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Choosing Natural Baby Toys

Now that natural baby toys are in high demand, there is a surprisingly good -- and fun -- variety from which to select gifts for friends or your own children. Whether the intention is to support local artisans, encourage the use of beautiful and natural products, or simply to avoid potentially toxic materials, you're in good company -- many conscientious parents are now choosing natural baby playthings for their infants. Wooden teething toys made in Germany, wool and organic cotton dolls handmade in America, and solid wood blocks from Asia are just a few of the many natural baby toys made from child-friendly materials available today.

When shopping for eco- and kid-friendly baby toys, there a few criteria to keep in mind. While few toys will disappoint, some are better made than others or will be more suitable depending on the child's age and other factors. For example, wooden clutching and teething toys should be introduced around three months and babies will typically outgrow these before they turn a year old. Buying several natural baby toys, such as a wooden rattle, organic cotton animal, and hemp cloth book, ensures the child will have variety and not tire quickly of his toys. Wooden blocks can be played with from infancy through preschool -- and even beyond, when older children use them to make forts for toys soldiers or houses for small dolls.

When shopping, consider the materials used to make the natural baby toys you find. Organic wool and natural hardwoods, as well as organic cotton and rubber wood, are some of the top-quality elements in natural toys. Painted pine is less appealing and usually made more cheaply than hardwood stained with natural ingredients, but is still a step above plastic items.

Compare the design and appeal of several natural baby toys in the same category before purchasing. For example, there is a range of attractiveness and unique design when it comes to simple grasping toys for infants. Some are simply prettier and more pleasing to the eye than others, and feel better made than their cheaper counterparts.

Check the country of manufacture. While some mass produced wooden toys are made in factories in China, Selecta and Haba items are made in Germany and Animals and Arks still makes its natural baby toys in the United States. Supporting toy makers local to you or at least within your country is eco-friendly, as the toys have less distance to travel and are supporting local endeavors.

There are many beautiful and innovative naturally-made toys on the market today. With a little exploring, you can find some lovely gifts and heirloom-quality items you would be happy to keep in your own home. And in the end, that's the test all natural baby toys should have to pass.

Maria O'Brien enjoys reviewing wooden toys on her site, http://neatwoodentoys.com. To enter wooden toy giveaways, be the first to hear about fun new toys and more, sign up for her monthly newsletter at http://neatwoodentoys.com/newsletter.html

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