Model Trains Are Reviving As Christmas Tradition

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The holiday season has many enduring traditions, including model trains.

Alfred Cappelli Jr. (right), owner of Cappelli's Hobbies at 313 Market Street in Old City, says grown-ups who remember a model train circling the Christmas tree fondly pass it on.

He figures a superior boxed starter set runs about $150 and is often big-kid-friendly gear, but smaller sets have become more sophistocated.

Cappelli says, "The last few years, different companies like Broadway Limited and MTH, making HO-scale locomotives, started putting those features in, so you get the light of the headlight. You get the chuffing sound, which is exciting, and you get the billow of smoke coming from the smokestack -- really neat."

Capelli's store features an astounding array of toy trains including a teensy version of SEPTA's vintage "PCC" trolley car.

Reported by John Ostapkovich, KYW Newsradio 1060.