Oct 29 2008
What’s the difference between a toy and a model?
What’s the difference between a toy and a model?
The most significant difference is the intended use. A model is intended to represent something else such as a railroad train, car or building.A toy is mostly intended for play.
The edges between the two get a little blurry when the model is intended to be a model of a part of a fantasy. Even so, a model of your own imaginary town or personal railroad company can be quite representative. A toy is mostly designed for play. Toys usually lack minor details, use extremely bright colors, and are constructed of materials and use finishes designed for rough play or hard-long running.
Modern toys must meet safety requirements for younger ages such as having edges that are rounded, made of pieces that are large and prevent dangers of being eaten or swallowed.
Toys often are designed to amaze and hold attention with excessive smoke, flashing lights, extremely loud sounds, and very fast running. Although, models share some aspects of these features, models rarely go to the level of excess that toys frequently use.
Some toy trains will run directly on the floor without a track. Other toy trains are designed to be handled constantly as they are pushed along track that is specifically designed for little hands in a big hurry. The most durable toy track can even survive the repeated footsteps of the youngest “engineers”. Most model track is made to precisely represent the real thing and provide electric power to run the train without handling, but could not withstand any such rough treatment.
