Just starting out!

[Anonymous]

I've been posting this question around the internet and haven't got any direction yet, hopefully this forum may help. 

I am a father of two boys who love trains, they're 7&4 and I would like to get them started off in the hobby I know they will love it, but unfortunately I'm disabled and have no opportunity to start them off myself, so my thought was to have a model built for them and then over time they could learn to maintain and develop it, I'm imagining an quite elaborate model to start, I have plenty of room. 

So I guess I looking for avenues or ideas on how I might get this done for them, I thought maybe a model building company (is there such a thing), a hobby shop or a modeller that wants to earn some money, I don't know, but any feedback would be appreciated. 

John

[egmurphy]

John,

Great that your boys are interested in trains, and you get extra karma points for wanting to help them.

Yes, there are both train shops and specialty outfits that build layouts for people who need that type of service.  A number of them advertise in the pages of Model Railroader Magazine.  If you don't have access to a copy, let me know and I can look up a few website addresses to get you started off.

You'll get more response to your post if you try posting over on the Model Railroader Magazine forum.  This particular forum (Classic Trains) specializes in real trains, so there aren't many modelers who hang out here.  Try:

http://www.trains.com/trccs/forums/88/ShowForum.aspx

Just copy the post as it is, and repost over there.

Best regards

Ed

 

[Lost World]

I hate to say this, but your idea--though well intentioned--is a bad one, and a serious waste of money.  I can attest to this through personal experience.

I've loved trains for as long as I can remember.  When I was about six or so my mother did exactly what you're thinking about doing--for Christmas she went out and purchased a partially built N scale layout from a local hobby store.  Partially finished only in terms of the scenery; the layout itself was a masterpiece, four by eight or so, bi-level, automatic switchboard, a ton of rolling stock and several locomotives, one steam and the rest diesel.  It was a great setup, and brought many hours of joy and entertainment...for a little while.

My older brother, not into trains, lost interest in a couple of weeks or so, even though the layout was in his room.  I kept on playing with it for a while longer, until spring when the weather turned nice and it was time to head outside.  Every now and then I would still play with it, but six-year-old kids tend to abuse toys of this nature (in other words, there were plenty of spectacular train wrecks ala Gomez Adams).  I especially enjoyed running my Sw-1500 switcher around the track at 120mph scale speed, seeing how far it would fly off the table when taking a sharp turn.  Anyway, you get the idea.  My mother wound up selling the layout, what was left of it, back to the hobby store at a substantial loss.

A better way to cultivate your children's interest in trains would be to take them to a museum or better yet an active tourist railway.  Not something on the order of day out with Thomas or anything like that (avoid that nightmare if you can), but a real tourist railway, preferably with steam locomotives, though just riding the trains is fun.  Not sure what your disability is, but reputable tourist operations will more than likely be able to accomodate you, and are probably required to do so by law.  It's far less expensive than what you've got in mind now.  And if the kids remain into trains, they can always build their own model railroad when they reach a more responsible age.  

[rrandb]

I started my daughter out when she was about your youngest ones age with a "TOY" train set which was all plastic, kid friendly and battery operated. Now that she is eight she has a store bought train "set" in HO scale that plugs in. Both can be set up on the dinning table after dinner and easily put away after an evenging of trains. A beuatiful custom built layout way be more appropriate for you to use and then invite them to participate with you in a family hobby. The materials and structures that a nice layout would be constructed of traditionay do not stand up very well to a 4 & 7 years old attention. That's not to say they could not be. More importantly it may discourage them from pursueing what is a hobby that can provide a life time of enjoyment for the whole family. I applaube your desicion to enter both yourself and kids in an enjoyable pursuit. Take your time and do some research and everyone will more than have a good time. Your most valuable resource will be a trip to your local Model Railroad Hobby Shop. They can go a long way toward making your first venture a successful one. More importantly when you need to call and ask someone a question you will know there name and more importantly they will recognise your name. A personal relationship can be worth way more than just money. There profesional knowlege and experience is money in the bank.           Having attended three "Day out with Thomas" events I can honestly say your kids will love it. Espesially if it is the Live Steam engine. There are two different Thomas tours and one is a dummy engine but the kids always love that one too. Good Luck and keep us posted