Blog

All of us at Trains and Toy Soldiers are wishing you a Merry Christmas, happy fourth night of Hanukkah, and happy holidays! Today we’re looking at the origin of the Christmas tree.Even before Christianity, trees and plants were meaningful during wintertime, and evergreens were used as decorations and wards against evil (History.com). ZME Science says the following about the pagan beginnings of the modern Christmas tree:“Long before Christian...

Starting on Christmas Eve in 1914, only five months after war broke out in Europe, many German and British troops in World War I ceased fighting and sang Christmas carols to each other across the lines. At dawn on Christmas, several unarmed German soldiers came out of their trenches and started to cross no-man’s-land, calling out, “Merry Christmas!” in the British soldiers’ language.British soldier Private Frederick Heath wrote that the Ger...

Do you use backdrops or ShelfScapes? Do you want to add realism to train and toy soldier displays? Then ShelfScapes might be perfect for you! Incorporate your own artistic talent into displaying your toy soldiers and collectibles. ShelfScapes are museum quality images for collectors of toy soldiers, hobbyists, military model builders, and model train enthusiasts who are seeking to upgrade their displays to the next level. Printed on double...

Are you following us on Instagram yet? Check out @trainsandtoysoldiers for behind the scenes photos, product spotlights, sales, and discount codes! If Instagram isn't your scene, check us out at Trains and Toy Soldiers on Facebook. And if you're not much for social media, don't worry! You can always sign up for our weekly email list (don't forget that you get 10% off your first order once you sign up!) and find us here on the blog. We love h...

Happy St. Nicholas Day! Celebrate with free shipping on all train sets today! Use the code TRAINSET on our website for free train set shipping all day. St. Nicholas Day is a feast day on December 6 that honors St. Nicholas, the 4th century Greek bishop of Myra (present-day Turkey). Santa Claus (in the U.S.) and Father Christmas (in the U.K.) are figures who derive from St. Nicholas. Not much is known about the original St. Nick - the ea...