After considerable reading and research, I have decided there is no simple answer as to whether our trains are our "toys" or rather sophisticated "models". I have been recently reading about the Swiss firm of Fulgurex, founded by the late Italian Count Antonio Giansanti Coluzzi. Fulgurex, under the passionate leadership of Coluzzi, contracted with some of the world's most precision model makers such as Tenshodo, Samhongsa and Aster, to name just a few, to produce arguably the finest model trains on the planet. The materials were first rate often including brass (nickel plated), steel and chrome components. Most of these models, whether live steam or electric, usually were purchased for display in cases rather than for running, though even with their elaborate and delicate detailing could do so. Most of the world's "toy" trains such as Lionel, American Flyer, Marklin, Bing, LGB and many others were offered as both toys and models to play with and/or operate. My conclusion is the answer to my thread title question is more complex than ever given the technical advances in model and toy train production in our time. Personally, I consider my standard gauge and LGB trains as toys to be played with and entertained by, and that is fine for me. Those exquisite Fulgurex models and others of their ilk have deservedly high price points for their virtually hand made precision products, and are quite simply beyond my ability to possess.
Original Post
I believe it is all about the fear of being labeled as an adult playing with a toy.
. My trains aren't appliances, a sport or works of art or anything other than a source of aesthetic pleasure and play, so I guess they are adult toys to me. 